PIPELINE SAFETY I REGULATIONS

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Gathe r ing Li nes Ove rvi e w

Gathering Line Processing Facilities

Distribution Pipelines
Wellheads
Transmission Pipeline

WHAT IS A GATHERING LINE? PHMSA regulates all interstate pipelines, those that move
commodities among states or to or from a foreign nation
or that affect interstate or foreign commerce.
A gathering line connects to a flow line, which is attached to the
wellhead. Gathering lines move the produced product from the
If a state does not become certified to regulate intrastate pipelines,
production area to points of collection such as processing facilities
PHMSA regulates those lines as well. All States except Alaska
or connections with other, larger pipelines, commonly known as
and Hawaii regulate intrastate natural gas pipelines. About 14
transmission lines. Oil and gas are almost always separated for
States have programs for intrastate CO2 and hazardous liquid
transportation – crude oil is moved through pipelines designed
pipelines, and thus in the other States, PHMSA regulates both
specifically for crude oil, and gas through pipelines engineered
interstate and intrastate CO2 and hazardous liquid pipelines.
for gas. Gathering of crude oil and natural gas is regulated by the
overarching federal pipeline safety regulations and equivalent,
if not more stringent, state regulations.

FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS (Hazardous liquids include crude oil, refined
products such as gasoline, biofuels, and
The federal pipeline safety agency, the Pipeline and Hazardous anhydrous ammonia which is used as a fertilizer.)
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), establishes safety
regulations applicable to hazardous liquid, carbon dioxide (CO2),
and gas pipelines in the U.S. Individual states may regulate
intrastate pipelines, those that move commodities within state
Over the last 10 to 15 years, newly developed sources of energy
boundaries and do not affect interstate or foreign commerce,
supplies have brought attention to the production and gathering of
by becoming certified to regulate pipelines operating within their
oil and gas. In some cases, new energy development has occurred
boundaries. To be certified, a state must have laws and regulations
in areas of the country that have never seen oil and gas production,
that are at least as stringent as the federal laws and regulations,
and local citizens have identified legitimate concerns about
along with a history of enforcing them. In fact, a number of states
transportation infrastructure, including pipelines.
have implemented regulations that are more rigorous than similar
federal ones.

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REGULATION OF CRUDE OIL GATHERING During operation, regulated gathering lines are monitored
and maintained to prevent corrosion, or thinning of the pipe
Regulation of crude oil gathering is intended to prevent harm to
wall, on both the internal and external surfaces of the pipe.
human health and safety and the environment by focusing upon the
proximity of populated areas and environmental features that could • Programs to help prevent unintended damage to the
potentially be impacted by pipeline operations. pipeline inform numerous stakeholders of the presence
of pipelines and the need to avoid damaging pipelines.
REGULATION OF NATURAL GAS Damage prevention activities include liaison with
construction and excavation businesses, consultation with
GATHERING counties and municipalities, public service announcements,
All gas gathering lines are regulated by PHMSA. Scaled local community service, and additional outreach actions.
construction standards apply to the lines depending on their
These programs also address the need for an operator or
locations, operating pressures and proximity to people. In general,
someone working for the operator to protect the pipeline
the more people around the line and the higher the pressure, the
during their work.
more they are regulated.
• Public awareness programs, similar to damage prevention

WHAT REQUIREMENTS APPLY? programs, help the public and other stakeholders know
how to identify nearby pipelines, know how to help prevent
Regulated crude oil gathering lines and gas gathering
damage, and know how to react if an incident should occur.
lines are subject to similar, robust regulations which
Regulated gathering lines also must have line markers –
are oriented to preventing any release, including the
signs that notify anyone in the area that a pipeline is near –
following:
which in turn raise awareness and help to prevent damage.

• Initial Construction: Regulated gathering lines are required
to perform a strength test, a hydrostatic pressure test, also
known as a hydrotest. In a hydrotest, the pipeline is filled
with water and pressured to a level significantly above the
planned operating pressure so that any injurious defects
in the pipeline are discovered and addressed. During
construction, each step of the construction process is
inspected to ensure quality workmanship and fitness for the
intended service.
• Employees and contractors working on gathering lines must
demonstrate that they are qualified to perform their daily
tasks, whether operations, inspection or maintenance.
• In addition, operators of regulated gathering lines must
maintain records to demonstrate compliance with the
regulatory requirements, many for the life of the pipeline.

© Copyright 2015 – American Petroleum Institute (API), all rights reserved. Digital Media | DM2015-125 | 08.01 | PDF To find out more, visit us at: www.api.org