Colonial Pipeline does not compromise safety to achieve any business objective. As a key driver of our company, we build safety into the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our facilities and hold ourselves accountable for our own personal safety and the safety of fellow employees, contractors, and the public.
Pipeline Integrity
Pipeline Leak Detection
We use a proactive pipeline leak detection program, which includes the evaluation and implementation of emerging technologies that enable us to detect potential releases.
Our leak detection strategy includes a combination of internal, external, and data-based methods that aim to detect leaks rapidly. The program is designed to deploy these methods in a multi-layered approach while monitoring performance and continually improving. The program consists of dedicated personnel to manage assets and processes, but also relies on collaboration with other core functional groups within engineering, technology, right of way and operations.
We’re casting a wide net to seek out the best technology, but our efforts don’t stop there. We also partner with federal and academic research partners to develop tools that are not readily available on the commercial market. Our goal is to not only improve Colonial’s abilities to detect pipeline releases, but to participate in the advancement of technology and processes that can benefit the entire pipeline industry.
Damage Prevention
Our Damage Prevention program includes enhanced aerial patrolling, standardized practices for one-call (811) ticket processing, proactive right of way maintenance, and a robust public awareness program.
Not only do we inspect a large portion of our system on a weekly basis with piloted aircraft, but we also augment the effectiveness of our program through periodic helicopter flights, additional flights with on-board advanced detection technology, and post-natural disaster patrols. For example, we’ve recently adopted hyperspectral imaging for enhanced aerial right-of-way inspections. This rapidly advancing technology aids in the detection of hydrocarbons that cannot be detected by the eye or through traditional color imaging.
Many of these activities exceed federal requirements that pipeline easements be inspected 26 times per year. Because thousands of miles of pipeline are in areas that may be difficult to access at ground level, aerial inspections are a great way to effectively and timely monitor pipelines and rights-of-way.
Inline Inspections
Inline Inspection (ILI) tools are devices that inspect pipelines from the inside. Using technology similar to ultrasounds and MRIs found in doctor’s offices and hospitals, our inline inspection tool data and analytics help keep our pipelines in top operating condition. We run comparative analysis of the data, and, if necessary, schedule maintenance to ensure our systems are safe and remain in optimal operating condition.
We routinely partner with ILI service providers to optimize the use of advanced technologies in our system and to better understand the condition of our pipelines. The types of technology we use, and the frequency of inspections, often exceed federal requirements.
Corrosion Prevention
Colonial employs a strategic approach to corrosion prevention based on environmental conditions, how the land above ground is used, and available technologies. For example, cathodic protection is a technology that works in conjunction with pipeline coating systems and is designed to protect the pipeline from corrosion. Colonial’s cathodic protection system is equipped with thousands of remote monitoring devices which are programmed to detect changes to this system and notify our engineers when these changes meet certain criteria.
The system’s effectiveness is monitored through above-ground survey techniques, which are designed to identify locations where active corrosion may be occurring. Follow-up activities such as replacement of protective coatings or enhancement of cathodic protection can then be performed as needed. These technologies allow us to quickly and efficiently respond to important changes and make timely adjustments and repairs.
Safety Management System
Colonial’s Safety Management System (SMS) is a systematic approach to safety that is integrated throughout the company and designed to prevent pipeline safety incidents. Based on standards developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and peer pipeline operators, Colonial’s SMS provides a framework that drives continuous improvement and excellence in safety.
Our Emergency Approach
Prevention
Through proactive maintenance and integrity management, Colonial’s network of pipelines, pumps, and storage facilities are designed to minimize the risk of an incident occurring. Our highest priorities are the health and safety of employees, contractors, nearby communities, and the environment. While we strive to prevent all incidents, we are prepared if one occurs.
Planning
Colonial Pipeline maintains a comprehensive set of emergency response plans that establish response protocols and clearly define a systematic approach to anticipating and preparing for potential incidents. The plans, which are consistent with guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, serve as guidelines for response actions, notifications, and communications in the event of an emergency.
People
In the event of an incident, Colonial Pipeline employees are trained to safely and immediately respond while also activating external resources to maximize the effectiveness of the response effort. Members of the company’s Incident Management Team participate in a robust emergency response training program that provides instruction on the Incident Command System and Hazardous Waste Emergency Response. Our training program is tested each year through several drills and exercises to ensure the training is effective and our team is continuously improving company readiness.
Practice
Safety Data Sheets
Safety data sheets provide critical information to communities and first responders regarding the safety measures and hazards specific to the products we transport.
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Sustainability
Sustainability
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Community Safety
Our Operations
Our Operations
We deliver refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, as well as fuels designated for the U.S. military.
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