How Safe are Pipelines?

The environmental and safety record of oil pipelines is excellent. Pipeline systems are recognized as both the safest transportation mode and the most economical way of distributing the vast quantities of oil from production fields to refineries and from refineries to consumers.

Oil pipelines are usually the only feasible way to transport significant volumes by land over long distances. Without pipelines, our streets and highways would be overwhelmed by the trucks trying to keep up with the nation’s demand for petroleum products.

The safety performance of the oil pipeline industry has improved substantially over the last 30 years with even greater gains in the last few years. All oil pipelines together had 129 spills larger than 50 barrels (2100 gallons) last year (2001 data year). Deaths and injuries resulting from oil pipeline transportation are very rare but do occur occasionally.

Additional information on the safety practices and the performance of the oil pipeline industry can be found at HSSE - Safety.

Information is also available at the Department of Transportation - Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS)'s website at http://ops.dot.gov/stats.htm.