Many natural gas gathering pipelines aren't inspected for damage, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office audit released last week, and Jim Malewitz of Stateline reports pipeline transport can still be dangerous because of corrosion, leaks and ruptures that need to be inspected. Most unregulated lines run through Alaska, California, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Inspection is left to operators who aren't required by law to do so.
State regulators worry that the lack of data could hide dangers, Malewitz reports, especially since increased drilling has increased development across pipeline rights-of-way. "New methods of oil and gas extraction have also led companies to develop wider, higher-pressured pipelines that are as powerful as some regulated lines but still escape federal oversight," Malewitz writes. Only four states collect data on unregulated oil pipelines, and just seven do so for gas lines. The federal pipeline agency is considering rules to improve data collection on gathering lines, but that remains in early stages, Malewitz reports. (Read more)
State regulators worry that the lack of data could hide dangers, Malewitz reports, especially since increased drilling has increased development across pipeline rights-of-way. "New methods of oil and gas extraction have also led companies to develop wider, higher-pressured pipelines that are as powerful as some regulated lines but still escape federal oversight," Malewitz writes. Only four states collect data on unregulated oil pipelines, and just seven do so for gas lines. The federal pipeline agency is considering rules to improve data collection on gathering lines, but that remains in early stages, Malewitz reports. (Read more)
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