Performing Pipeline Inspections
More than 75 full-time pipeline inspectors operate out of OPS regional offices in Trenton, NJ; Atlanta, GA; Kansas City, MO; Houston, TX; and Denver, CO. These inspectors conduct OPS’s comprehensive inspection and enforcement program to ensure that pipeline operators are complying with all pipeline safety regulations.
It is important to understand, however, that the majority of pipeline inspections in the United States are carried out by state inspectors who work for state regulatory agencies.
If a state has a certified pipeline safety program, then it is the state agency that is responsible for conducting inspections of intrastate pipelines. These are lines that lie entirely within the borders of a single state. Pipelines that go across state boundaries are known as interstate pipelines (think of interstate highways). Oversight and inspections of interstate pipelines are carried out either by OPS or -- in states where OPS and the state have a special agreement in place -- by the state agency. For more on Federal/state authorities, follow this link: More...
Pipeline operators are responsible for safely managing their pipelines. More...
National consensus standards help assure the safe design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of pipelines. They are constantly reviewed and upgraded by select committees of engineers and other technical experts. More...
Follow this link for additional information on the various types of pipeline inspections carried out by OPS and state inspectors: More...