Am I safe if I live near a pipeline or facilities associated with the pipeline?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, pipelines are by far the safest and most economic way to transport vast quantities of energy from production fields to consumers. From 2005 to 2009, natural gas transmission pipelines averaged six serious incidents per year over approximately 300,000 miles of pipeline translating to one incident per 50,000 miles of pipeline. During this same period, natural gas transmission pipelines had lower fatality and injury rates per 1,000 miles than railway transportation and similar rates to road transportation. Most of the natural gas transmission pipeline fatalities and injuries involve pipeline operator employees or operator contractors, not the general public.

What if I smell gas inside my home or near my work area?

One of the first indications of a leak may be the odor of the escaping gas. As you may know, an odorant has been added to natural gas by pipeline companies because when in its native state, natural gas is an odorless gas. Therefore, a strange or unusual smell in the area near a pipeline may indicate a leak.

Remember in its native state natural gas is odorless so a pipeline leak may be indicated also by a hissing or roaring sound, the loudness of which would vary with the size of the leak and the pressure of the pipeline.

Depending on the temperature conditions, natural gas, when released from a pipeline, may be seen as a white cloud originating near the pipeline location. A spot of dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area might indicate a small leak.

If you have gas service and detect a natural gas odor coming from inside your home, leave the area. Call your local gas company. Do not use a phone within your home if you detect a natural gas odor.

How do I get natural gas service to my home?

Pipeline companies operate the system that deliver gas to local gas distribution companies such as Montana Dakota Utilities Co. The distribution companies, in turn, deliver gas to the homes and businesses. If you desire natural gas service to your home, contact the local gas distribution company in your area. If local gas service is not available, check your phone book for bottled gas, propane or other energy providers.

What is a pipeline marker?

Since pipelines are buried underground, pipeline companies use line markers to indicate the approximate location of the pipeline. The markers are placed where pipelines intersect streets, railroads, rivers, and heavily congested areas. Markers identify the pipeline and show a 24 hour emergency telephone number.

Markers indicate the general, not exact, location of a pipeline. Markers do not indicate how deep the pipeline is buried. Nor do they necessarily indicate how many lines are in the area. And, pipelines do not necessarily follow a straight course between two markers. Never rely solely on the presence or absence of pipeline markers. Always call your state's One-Call notification service before digging.

Pipeline markers are important to public safety. It is a federal crime for any person to willfully deface, damage, remove, or destroy any pipeline sign or right-of-way marker required by federal law.

What is a pipeline right of way?

A pipeline right-of-way is the strip of land over a pipeline. A right-of-way agreement between pipeline companies and property owners is called an easement. Easements provide pipeline companies with permanent, limited interest to the land to enable us to operate, test, inspect, maintain and protect our pipelines. Although agreements may vary, pipeline companies rights-of-way generally extend 25 feet from each side of the pipeline unless specified otherwise.

Can I build or dig on a right of way?

Pipeline rights-of-way must be kept free from structures and other obstructions. If a pipeline crosses your property, please do not plant trees or high shrubs on the right-of-way. Also, do not dig, store, or place anything on or near the right-of-way without first having pipeline company personnel mark the pipeline, stake the right-of-way and explain the company's construction guidelines to you.

Pipeline company personnel regularly inspect their pipeline rights-of-way using air, foot and vehicle patrols. The inspectors look for potential danger to pipelines, such as construction activity, and check for signs of gas leaks.