HELPING YOU TO WORK SAFELY NEAR TO BURIED OIL PIPELINES
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.
