FACTS ABOUT BURIED PIPELINES IN THE UK

Buried pipelines in the UK

Buried underneath the UK run a network of pipelines safely and efficiently carrying a range of products (including fuel, gas and chemicals) to strategic points across the country.

BPA is responsible for managing more than 2000km of buried pipelines that carry fuel at high pressure from ports and refineries to storage and distribution points across the UK.  Here we outline some fun facts about the UK’s buried pipeline network:

Did you know..?

  • The United Kingdom Pipeline Operators’ Association (UKOPA) manage more than 27,000 km of pipelines in the UK (nearly 5 times the distance between London and New York). Of that pipeline, more than 14,000km are buried oil and gas pipelines.  The pipelines run under agricultural land as well as through towns and cities.
  • The pipelines are actually shallower than many people realise and are often at a nominal dept of only 3 feet. In places they can be even shallower and are sometimes visible when crossing canals and rivers.
  • Damaging a pipeline can be very expensive – it is estimated that a damaged pipeline can cost around £15m to repair, this cost can escalate dramatically if there is a loss of product into the environment or the damage leads to explosion or a serious incident / injury.
  • Pipelines are protected by The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 which makes it illegal to cause any damage to the pipeline intentionally or unintentionally. Working within 3 meters either side of the pipeline, without contacting the pipeline operator is generally illegal, so even if you have some knowledge about the pipeline it is always best to contact the operator if planning works.
  • The original pipelines were installed during the second world war to safely deliver fuel to British and US airbases around the country.
  • High-pressure oil and gas pipelines are laid in welded steel sections and carry products at high pressure – up to 50 times that of a car tyre.
  • Transporting product by pipeline greatly reduces the amount of tankers on the road and helps efficiently meet the UK’s fuel needs.
  • For anyone working within the vicinity of a pipeline, typically 50 metres, it’s essential that the pipeline operator knows about your presence.  This means contacting the pipeline operators if you are installing drains or pipes, deepening ditches, putting up fences, or doing any other construction or excavation work.
  • The route of the pipelines is constantly checked, both on foot and from the air.  Any infringements or unauthorised works will be detected.
  • The pipelines are indicated by a series of marker posts at key locations, however pipelines do not always travel in straight lines between marker posts so it is always best to contact the pipelines operator if you have any questions.

If you have any questions about the location of a pipeline on your land or if you would like to contact a member of BPA’s team to discuss undertaking some works near to the buried pipelines, contact a member of BPA’s Lands Team on 0800 585 387.

/by BPA Management

BPA HAMPERS DELIVERED FOR CHRISTMAS

It’s that time of the year again when we draw five lucky winners to receive a Christmas BPA hamper for simply responding to our annual letter.  It’s important to respond to our letters to ensure that our contact details for you are up to date so we can contact landowners in the event of an emergency or if we need to access the land to undertake essential maintenance work.

As an incentive for landowners to respond and to confirm whether they still own or have responsibility for the land under which our buried, high pressure oil pipelines run we enter all responders into a prize draw with the opportunity to win a hamper worth more than £100.

By responding, BPA can be sure to have up to date records and it also gives landowners an opportunity to inform BPA of any land changes, while also reminding them to contact BPA should they need to undertake any work in the vicinity of the buried high pressure pipeline. 

There are more than 1000 km of pipelines that bisect the UK and, although designed to meet the internal pressures, are susceptible to potential damage from people inadvertently working in close proximity to them.  Keeping landowners informed and aware of the pipeline also helps BPA to keep them safe from leaks caused by any unintentional damage to the pipeline. 

BPA is proud to achieve market leading response rates from its landowners with nearly 75% of those landowners targeted sending their completed forms back to BPA.  If there are any questions regarding keeping your details up to date or if you would like to speak to a member of BPA’s team, contact us on 0800 585 387 or email us at lands@bpa.co.uk. 

Thanks again to everyone who responded and congratulations to this year’s hamper winners. 

 

 

 

  

/by BPA Management

HELPING YOU TO WORK SAFELY NEAR TO BURIED OIL PIPELINES

Buried oil pipelines in Staffordshire

The British Pipeline Agency Limited (BPA) manages more than 1000km of buried high pressure fuel pipelines across the UK that carry highly flammable petroleum or natural gas products at very high pressure.

The pipelines bisect the UK and, although designed to meet the internal pressures, are susceptible to potential damage from people inadvertently working in close proximity to them.

To prevent accidents the lands team at BPA works with landowners giving them advice and support should they need to carry out works in close proximity to the pipelines.  In many cases the pipelines are less than one metre from the surface and this can inadvertently lead to accidents should the safety guidelines not be followed.  Any damage caused to the pipeline could prove not only costly but also potentially fatal.

The buried oil pipelines bisect the country.  BPA’s 1000km network includes buried oil pipelines that run from Cheshire, Staffordshire and down through Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.  BPA also manage the buried oil pipelines in around the London area and even across to East Anglia.

Every year, BPA writes to landowners to remind them of their obligations in relation to the buried oil pipelines.  The team works to ensure that they have the correct contact details for landowners and tenants should they need to be contacted in the event of an emergency or if repair work needs to be undertaken.

Equally the team is also on hand to offer free advice over the phone or visit the site to help provide support and advice to those looking to operate near to the buried pipeline network.  The team can identify the exact location of the buried oil pipeline and mark it out so that works can be safely carried out.

BPA is empowered to, and will, stop all works near the pipeline if it considers to be unsafe to the pipeline.  Landowners are also legally required to follow the Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996 that state that no person shall cause such damage to a pipeline as may give rise to a danger to persons.  Breaking these conditions can lead to prosecution.

As well as potential prosecution, damage to the pipeline could lead to environmental harm through serious pollution of soil, water and the atmosphere which is likely to lead to prosecution by the Environment Agency.  The cost of repair and subsequent clean-up are typically in the region of £10m.

As such, BPA aims to work closely with landowners and tenants along its pipeline network and to offer advice and support.  The team can also provide a presence on the ground and support landowners in ensuring any activities undertaken are done so in a safe manner.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to the buried oil pipeline under your land, please contact a member of the BPA team and let us assist you.

/by BPA Management

BE VIGILANT FOR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES NEAR TO BURIED OIL PIPELINES

Report suspicious activities near to buried oil pipelines

The UK has a complex network of more than 27,000Km of buried high pressure oil, gas and chemical pipelines that bisect the country safely and efficiently transporting critical supplies to key points across the country. If suspicious activities are observed near to these buried pipelines it is important to report the matter to the pipeline operator or emergency services.

Although fortunately rare, there are some instances where the buried oil or gas pipelines can attract interest from criminals who seek to tap into the supply lines to steal fuel.  In addition, there are instances where unauthorised digging near to pipelines may occur.

In both instances, such activities pose a serious threat to those taking part as well as the potential for wider environmental or ecological damage. an

To help prevent against illegal tapping of pipelines or unauthorised digging, BPA works closely with its network of more than 2000 landowners asking them to keep vigilant and to report any suspicious activities seen near to BPA’s buried oil pipelines.

If they see any unusual activity or suspicious activities, simply call us on 01827 63708 and we will do the rest.

Suspicious activities can be hard to define, however we would ask landowners to contact us if they see suspicious vans parking close to the pipeline, non BPA staff or contractors taking interest in the pipeline route / marker posts or if there are signs of excavations or trenches around the pipeline. Please also inform us if you see hydraulic hoses or liquid storage containers in remote areas where they would not typically belong.

What information to provide

When contacting the lands team at BPA, it would be helpful if you could provide some of the following information:

  • The location of the incident – whether a postcode, address or grid reference or even the proximity to a landmark
  • A contact number should we need to get hold of you
  • Whether the emergency services been contacted?
  • Has anyone been injured?
  • Is there any sign of smoke or fire?
  • Are there still suspicious people or vehicles in the area?
  • Is there a strong smell of fuel, gas or any obvious signs of oil or gas leaking?
  • Is the incident near to a watercourse or public highway?

Even if you’re unable to answer all of the above, please still contact BPA and let us know of any concerns.

To support landowners and members of the public, we have a dedicated helpline number 0800 585 387 that is operated 24/7, 365 days of the year.  The team has a well-developed, regularly tested, emergency response process and is supported by specialist contractors that are in regular contact with the emergency services and regulatory bodies.

Thank you for remaining vigilant and please contact BPA’s Lands team on 0800 585 387 if you have any questions or would like to inform us of any suspicious or unusual activities along our pipeline network.

/by BPA Management

PLANTING TREES NEAR HIGH PRESSURE PIPELINES

The UK government has launched a £50 million scheme to help boost tree-planting rates as part of its fight against climate change.  The new Woodland Carbon Guarantee, and other such initiatives, aim to encourage farmers and landowners to plant more trees and create new woodland to store and absorb carbon from the atmosphere in return for payments

Landowners looking to plant trees and shrubs in the vicinity of high-pressure pipelines for this, or other purposes, should be aware of best practice guidelines as plant and tree roots can cause damage to the coatings used to protect the high-pressure pipelines.  This in turn could lead to damage of the pipeline itself.

Before planting any new trees or shrubs in the pipeline wayleave / easement, written permission should be obtained from the pipeline operator. Any approval granted by the pipeline operator shall be subject to retaining the rights to remove, at any point in the future, all trees, which in the opinion of a pipeline engineer, might become a risk to the pipeline and its integrity.

Guidance for planting trees near buried pipelines

The consent to plant trees will state what areas may be planted and also the type of tree.   The following should act as general guidance for tree planting, based on the centre line of the pipeline:

  • Shallow rooting hedges and ground plants (e.g. blackthorn, broom, elder, hazel, etc) may be planted, if necessary (for screening purposes or to mark boundaries) directly across the pipeline
  • Fruit trees, such as dwarf apple stocks, may be planted up to 3 metres of the pipeline
  • Christmas trees may be planted up to 3 metres of the pipeline on the strict understanding that these are clear-felled at intervals not exceeding 7 years
  • The following trees (and those of a similar size, whether deciduous or evergreen) are not permitted be planted withing 6 metres of the pipeline; e.g. ash, beech, birch, most conifers, elm, maple, lime, horse chestnut, oak, apple and pear trees. Within 6 – 10 metres they may be planted as individual specimens or as a single row. Dense mass planting may be carried out at distances of greater than 10 metres
  • Poplar and willow trees should not be planted within 10 metres of the pipeline

If you are in any doubt about planting trees or if you are proposing to fell trees or remove shrubs in the vicinity of high-pressure pipelines, please contact a member of BPA’s lands team who will be able to provide further help.

To download a full version of the best practice guidelines, click the following link: UKOPA GPG41 Tree Planting Guidelines Jul 22 Final Version.

/by BPA Management
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MOLE PLOUGHS POSE RISK TO BURIED OIL PIPELINES

Mole Ploughs pose risk to buried pipelines

Did you know mole ploughing is one of the highest risk activities the farming community can undertake around buried pipelines?

This is because our buried high pressure oil pipelines are typically only 4ft (or just over a metre) deep, and in some cases can be shallower.  To ensure safety, we advise that a minimum pipeline clearance depth of around 2ft/600mm should always be in place.

Mole ploughing is a method of installing small diameter polyethylene pipes in rural areas quickly and with minimal disruption or environmental impact. Mole ploughing allows small diameter mains and services pipes to be inserted without having to dig wide trenches by creating a narrow temporary trench for installing.  The depth of the pipeline insertion can however potentially cause damage to buried high pressure oil pipelines.

So, if you are undertaking mole ploughing, make sure you contact BPA and, if necessary, the team can visit the site, check the pipeline depth and help to ensure your works are safe and there are no injuries caused.  Remember that the pipeline operator needs to be contacted if you are planning to undertake works within a 80ft/25m zone around our pipelines.

Although field markers are a good indicator of pipelines under your land, remember that marker posts do not always run in straight lines and that there can be bends under the ground.  To be sure, contact BPA and let us help determine the exact location of the pipeline so you or your contractors can operate safely and without risk to the public or environment.

/by BPA Management

ADVICE WHEN WORKING NEAR TO BPA’S BURIED OIL PIPELINES

Buried oil pipelines

Each year we write to the landowners and tenants along our network of more than 1000km of buried oil pipelines that transport fuel cross-country and at high pressure.  This helps us ensure we have the correct contact details should we need to contact them in an emergency, and it also provides us with an opportunity to remind them of the support we offer and the best practice when operating near to the pipelines.

The buried pipelines are needed to supply fuel to distribution terminals and major airports across the country.  Transporting fuel via buried pipelines remains the most environmentally friendly way of moving fuel, however they remain susceptible to damage if works are undertaken near them without adherence to our pipeline safety guidelines.  Damage caused to the pipeline could prove not only costly but potentially fatal.

Landowners run the risk of damaging buried oil pipelines if they do not follow our advice and guidance.  Pipelines don’t always run in straight lines between marker posts and so we ask landowners to contact the team if they are unsure of a pipeline’s location. We are happy to visit site and mark out the exact location of the pipeline.

The Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996 states that no person shall cause such damage to a pipeline as may give rise to a danger to persons. People are therefore asked to maintain a minimum distance of 3m from buried pipelines when installing fencing, clearing ditches or undertaking any works that may cause disruption to the ground above the pipeline.

Breaking these conditions can lead to prosecution, injury or even death. Should there be an incident, those commissioning the works (or their contractor) are responsible for any liability under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.  Damaging a buried pipeline can also cause environmental damage whether to the soil, water and the atmosphere which is likely to lead to prosecution by the Environment Agency.  The repair and subsequent clean-up costs of a pipeline incident are typically in the region of £10m.

BPA is empowered to stop all works near the pipeline if it is considered to be unsafe to the pipeline, however we recognise that works near our pipelines are often necessary and that is why our Lands Team is available to support landowners in undertaking those works safely.

Before starting any works near to pipelines, please contact BPA free 24/7 on 0800 585 387 to arrange for a free site meeting.  Always Know What’s Below before starting any works in the vicinity of buried pipelines.

/by BPA Management

WALKING THE ROUTE OF BPA’s BURIED OIL PIPELINES

Line walking with BPA

Every year, members of BPA’s land team walk along the route of BPA’s buried oil pipelines to visit landowners along key sections of the route. The team undertake a regular programme of line walking as it allows them to engage with landowners and identify any works being undertaken in the area.

By walking the pipeline network and being aware of any works being undertaken helps ensure that the pipeline network is safe, fully operational and that there are no obvious issues. It also gives landowners the opportunity to ask questions and to raise any concerns they may have.

As the pipeline crosses thousands of miles of the UK, the work is broken into manageable chunks or where specific work has been scheduled. By line walking sections of the buried oil pipelines, BPA can check and assess the pipeline’s safety, measure its depth and also chat with local landowners or tenants along the way.
The team typically seeks permission from landowners in advance of line walking, making them aware that they are available to answer any questions or concerns that the landowner may have.

Kevin Padley-Knight, Landowner Services Manager at BPA, comments; “By regularly undertaking a programme of line walking it provides an excellent opportunity to engage with landowners and for them to ask questions or flag any concerns that may have. As well as this, we are able to check for any obvious issues and ensure the pipeline’s continued safe operation.”

The team is also keen to engage with landowners and to encourage them to report any suspicious activities to the team so that they can undertake any investigations if necessary.

To find out when we will be in your area, contact the team on 0800 585 387. Please also feel free to contact the team at any time if you have any questions or concerns relating to the buried high pressure oil pipelines.

/by BPA Management
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BPA’S KNOW WHAT’S BELOW CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF FOR 2022

Delivering BPA landowner letters

BPA has launched its ‘Know What’s Below’ campaign again this year to ensure good communications with the landowners along its 1000km of buried oil pipelines.

The aim is to ensure all details are up to date so that BPA can keep landowners informed of any works being undertaken to the buried oil pipelines and to ensure landowners can in turn contact the company should they need to inform them of any works being undertaken in the vicinity of the pipeline or to report any suspicious activities or incidents.

BPA’s Landowner Services team has issued letters to nearly 2000 landowner and tenants along BPA’s 1000km of buried high-pressure pipelines in the UK.

The letters ask all landowners or tenants to respond using the enclosed form and self-addressed envelope so that BPA can ensure that their records are up to date and that they have the correct details should we need to contact landowners in the event of an emergency or planned works.

The letter also provides information on who landowners need to contact, and what to do, if they are required to operate in the vicinity of one of the high-pressure fuel pipelines.

Respond by end of May

Those who respond to the request and return their completed forms in the self-addressed envelope by the end of May will automatically be entered into a prize draw to receive one of five luxurious hampers.

Please keep a look out for BPA’s ‘Know What’s Below’ campaign letters and ensure that you promptly return them to a member of the BPA Landowner Services team.  Contact the team for further information.

/by BPA Management
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AND THE WINNERS ARE…

BPA landowner hamper winners announced

Each year BPA’s Lands Team write to landowners across the country asking them to respond to confirm whether they still own or have responsibility for the land under which our buried, high pressure oil pipelines run.

To encourage prompt responses we incentivise the returns by entering all responders into a prize draw, with the chance to win a hamper from Virginia Hayward worth more than £100.

We’re delighted to share with you the winners of this year’s hampers!  This year the lucky winners included:

  • Mr Trigg from Stanford-le-Hope
  • Mr Hall from Chorleywood
  • Ms Cawson from Tarporley
  • Mr Pickering from Tamworth
  • Mr & Mrs Cliff from Grantham

The responses are important as it helps BPA keep stay in touch with landowners along the  1000km of buried pipelines.  Having up to date records also gives landowners an opportunity to inform BPA of any land changes, while also reminding them to contact BPA should they need to undertake any work in the vicinity of the buried high pressure pipeline.

The pipelines bisect the UK and, although designed to meet the internal pressures, are susceptible to potential damage from people inadvertently working in close proximity to them.  Keeping landowners informed and aware of the pipeline also help BPA to keep them safe from leaks caused by any unintentional damage to the pipeline.

BPA is proud to achieve market leading response rates from its landowners with nearly 80% of those landowners targeted sending their completed forms back to BPA.  If there are any questions regarding keeping your details up to date or if you would like to speak to a member of BPA’s team, contact us on 0800 585 387 or email us at lands@bpa.co.uk.

Thanks again to everyone who responded and congratulations to this year’s hamper winners.

 

 

/by BPA Management