Members of the natural gas industry investigate safety models

In an effort to learn continually from other operators and to improve North America’s pipeline system safety, the American Gas Association (AGA), the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), together with the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA), have initiated a comprehensive study to explore safety models and procedures currently utilized by other industry sectors in an effort to deliver natural gas and pipeline-transported liquids more safely and reliably.

This study will complement the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigative initiative and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) regulatory initiatives, which are currently underway.

The collaborative group is committed to promoting positive safety cultures throughout the industry and hopes that by learning from others, the energy pipeline industry can identify and implement a model that will measurably improve pipeline system safety.

The study is expected to be completed as early as February 2012.