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Reporting Suspicious Activities Near Buried High-Pressure Pipelines: A Guide to Community Safety

Reporting Suspicious Activities Near Buried High-Pressure Pipelines

High-pressure pipelines are vital to transporting natural gas, oil, and other critical resources that power our homes, industries, and vehicles. These pipelines often run underground, hidden from view but essential to our daily lives. While they are built to be safe and resilient, their importance makes them potential targets for damage, vandalism, or even product theft.

Identifying and reporting suspicious activities near these pipelines can help ensure safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of our energy infrastructure.

Why is Monitoring Pipeline Safety Critical?

Buried high-pressure pipelines carry highly pressurized and potentially hazardous materials. A breach or damage to these pipelines can lead to severe consequences, including:

  • Explosions or Fires: The release of flammable gases or liquids can ignite, leading to catastrophic events.
  • Environmental Damage: Spills can contaminate soil, waterways, and ecosystems, causing long-term harm.
  • Service Disruption: Damage can interrupt the supply of critical resources, impacting businesses and households.
  • Safety Risks: Nearby communities and workers may face serious health and safety hazards.

Because of these risks, communities play a crucial role in safeguarding pipeline infrastructure by staying vigilant and reporting unusual or suspicious activities.

Recognising Suspicious Activities

Here are some examples of what might be considered suspicious near buried high-pressure pipelines:

  1. Unauthorized Digging: Excavations or digging near pipeline markers without visible permits or official signage.
  2. Unmarked Vehicles or Equipment: Vehicles parked or equipment operating near pipeline sites without logos or identifiers.
  3. Unusual Behaviour: Individuals loitering or taking photos near pipeline markers, pumping stations, or related facilities without a clear reason.
  4. Tampering with Equipment: Attempts to open valves, break locks, or interfere with monitoring systems.
  5. Unauthorised Construction: Projects or installations that seem to be encroaching on a pipeline’s right-of-way.

If you observe any of these activities, it is better to err on the side of caution and report your concerns.

Steps to Report Suspicious Activities

If you notice anything unusual or concerning near a pipeline, follow these steps:

  1. Note Key Details: Record the location, time, and description of the activity or individuals involved. Take note of vehicle license plates or distinguishing features if safe to do so.
  2. Avoid Direct Confrontation: Do not approach individuals or attempt to intervene. Your safety is the priority.
  3. Contact Authorities: Call your local emergency services or the pipeline operator’s emergency hotline, which is usually listed on nearby pipeline markers.
  4. Follow Up: If required, provide additional information to authorities or pipeline representatives to assist with their investigation.

Understanding Pipeline Markers

Pipeline markers are placed to indicate the presence of buried pipelines and often include the operator’s contact information and an emergency number. These markers do not indicate the exact location or depth of the pipeline but serve as a reminder to exercise caution in the area.

Protecting Pipelines is a Shared Responsibility

Maintaining the safety and security of buried high-pressure pipelines is not just the responsibility of pipeline operators—it’s a collective effort. By staying alert to suspicious activities and acting promptly to report them, you play a critical role in preventing accidents and protecting both people and the environment.

If you’re unsure who to contact, start with the number on the pipeline marker, BPA’s lands team on 0800 585 387 or call your local authorities. Together, we can ensure that these vital resources remain secure and reliable for generations to come.

/by BPA Management

DO NOT DIG NEAR BURIED PIPELINES UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT’S BELOW

Don't dig near to buried pipelines

Each year we write to the landowners and tenants along our pipeline network to remind them to not undertake any digging, excavation, fencing, ditching, mole ploughing or the installation of land drainage within 50m of the buried pipeline without prior authorisation from BPA.

We recognise that these activities are necessary, however for critical safety reasons landowners are required to liaise with us as the pipeline operator first. To assist landowners, we have a dedicated ‘Landowner Services’ team who are available to provide support and advice over the phone or visit the site to free of charge.

If you are looking to undertake works near to buried pipelines, BPA’s lands team ask that those who are looking to undertake any works within 50 metres of a buried BPA pipeline follow the following guidelines:

  • Give a minimum of 7 days-notice before works begin. This will ensure we can fully support you with your proposed activities.
  • Never assume you can go ahead unless consent is given. BPA’s team is on hand to support your work, however works should not begin until permission is granted
  • Be aware that pipeline depths vary across the country and can often be found only a metre below the surface, they are also seldom protected with concrete slabs.
  • Care should be taken when looking to clear ditches as the pipeline depths vary and may even not have protective cover in places
  • Pipelines do not always run in straight lines between marker posts. Although posts are used to mark the location of a pipeline at a field boundary, not all pipelines run in straight lines between posts. BPA’s team is available to help mark out the exact location.
  • Be aware that other infrastructure, such as cables, can be buried shallower than the pipeline. There are often other potentially hazardous or safety critical infrastructure buried along the pipeline lengths, these can be found at even shallower depth to the pipeline.

It is also the landowner’s responsibility to ensure that employees and contractors operating on their land comply with regulations as damage to pipelines can pose a significant risk to life, as well as potentially serious environmental damage if a product is released.

Landowners who do not comply with the requirements could also be prosecuted by the HSE as Regulation 15 of the Pipelines Safety Regulations Act states: “No person shall cause such damage to a pipeline as may give rise to dangers to persons”.  It is the landowner’s responsibility to ensure that employees, contractors and others operating on their land comply with regulations.

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 is likely to exceed £1m.

To support landowners needing to undertake works near to buried pipelines, BPA’s Landowner Services team is on hand and able to support landowners regarding any questions or queries that they may have.  Our team is available 24/7 to offer advice and support landowners.  Contact us via the website or call 0800 585 387.

/by BPA Management
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DON’T DIG NEAR TO BURIED PIPELINES

With the unseasonably wet weather the UK has experienced this year, here we remind landowners “Don’t dig near to pipelines” without permission from the pipeline operator.

Britain has more than 27,000 km of buried pipelines used to transport a range of products at high pressures of up to 100 bar. This includes flammable and explosive products such as oil, natural gas, ethylene, and petroleum, as well as less obviously hazardous materials such as water.

Prior to working in the vicinity of high-pressure pipelines, landowners are required to contact the pipeline operator. BPA asks its landowners that they are notified for any works within 50m of a pipeline, particularly if the pipeline is known to be at a shallow depth.

When we are contacted we can provide safety guidance and advice including coming out and marking out the pipeline to enable the farmer or landowner to carry on with the required activities.

Contractors, employees and temporary staff working on the land also need to be informed of the pipeline locations to discuss and agree on the necessary precautions before starting work.

Agricultural activities that pose a significant risk to pipelines include the installation or repair of drainage pipes or clearing ditches near buried pipelines. Such activities often require heavy machinery and can easily excavate close to the pipeline’s nominal depth of 1m.

To prevent risks to landowner and pipeline, anyone planning works within 3 metres of a our buried pipelines must obtain permission from BPA. This is not to prevent the works, but simply to ensure they are undertaken safely.

Pipeline marker posts

The locations of pipelines are normally indicated by marker posts at the edges of fields; however, marker posts can be accidentally moved or damaged, and pipelines may not run in a straight line between posts and aerial markers.

Who to contact for buried pipelines

Pipeline marker post

The depth of the pipeline’s cover may also be reduced in parts, so contact our lands team so we can advise on the exact location of the pipeline. We can arrange to visit the site, trace and accurately mark out the exact pipeline location, and provide guidance on safe working while near to the pipeline.

To help ensure the best and safest outcomes for all, farmers or contractors are advised not to undertake any works within three metres of a buried pipeline. If planning works, please:

  • Never assume the route or depth of pipeline.
  • Give pipeline operators sufficient notice before works begin.
  • Do not proceed with works until consent is given by the pipeline operator.
  • Be aware that pipeline depths vary and can often be found less than 1m below the surface.
  • Remember pipelines do not always run in straight lines between marker posts.
  • Be aware that other safety-critical infrastructure, such as cables, valve chambers and standpipes, can be buried along the pipeline lengths; these can be found at even shallower depths than the pipeline.

Landowner Responsibilities

Damage to pipelines can pose a significant risk to life, as well as potentially serious environmental damage if a product is released. It can also lead to prosecution by the HSE as Regulation 15 of the Pipelines Safety Regulations Act states: “No person shall cause such damage to a pipeline as may give rise to dangers to persons”.

Working near pipelines without taking the correct precautions can have serious consequences and potential prosecution.  It is the landowner’s responsibility to ensure that employees, contractors and others operating on their land comply with regulations.

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 is likely to exceed £1m.

If in doubt, contact BPA as we are here to help. More information and videos on what to do and not do near to buried pipelines can be found here.

/by BPA Management

WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT BURIED PIPELINES?

Pipeline marker post - Who to contact for buried pipelines

There are more than 27,000 KM of buried pipelines in the UK, but who should landowners contact about buried pipelines if they have any questions or are looking to undertake works in proximity of them?

There are numerous organisations who can assist and point landowners in the right direction if they are looking to inform the pipeline operator of any scheduled works. Most pipeline operators write to landowners and tenants to ensure that they have their contact details in case of emergencies or if they need to ask for supervision of any works being undertaken. This documentation should have the operator’s contact details.

In BPA’s case the contact number if 0800 585 387. This number is manned 24/7 and is there in case of emergencies and to forward calls to BPA’s lands team should landowners have any specific questions.

If you are unsure of who operates the pipeline there are other organisations who will be able to assist and point you in the right direction.  The first is LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD) which is a free to use service that any individual can use to check their works against over 140 operators who own and manage buried utility assets.

These assets include hundreds of thousands of kilometres of underground pipelines and cables in the electricity, gas, high pressure fuel, water and fibre optic networks. The service processes over 3.7 million enquiries per annum – that’s more than one every 10 seconds.

If you are on site and near to a pipeline, it’s likely that you will see a marker post that informs the public that there is a pipeline in close proximity.  The details of the pipeline operator are also available on the marker post itself to assist landowners.

If looking to contact the pipeline operator, we would advocate giving them as much notice as possible so that they can offer advice, come out to site or help supervise works as well as mark out exactly where the pipeline is located.

By working with landowners, utility companies or other bodies that may be required to dig in the vicinity of buried pipelines LSBUD and BPA aim to ensure a prompt and accurate response to all enquiries in an effort to reduce injuries and deaths due to asset strikes.

BPA also writes to landowners and tenants to ensure that the contact details are correct so that the organisation can contact them should they need to inform them of repairs or other works that need to be undertaken on the pipeline infrastructure. Please help us by responding to the letters and keeping your details up to date.

Details can be kept up to date by clicking here.

We hope this information is useful on who to contact about buried pipelines. If in doubt contact a member of BPA’s lands team and we will be happy to assist.

/by BPA Management

CLEARING DITCHES NEAR TO BURIED PIPELINES

Ditch clearing near buried pipelines

With the unseasonably wet weather the UK has experienced this summer, BPA’s Landowner Services team is asking landowners to be aware of buried high pressure oil pipelines before clearing ditches.

Many farmers and landowners are taking the opportunity to clear ditches to help alleviate the potential for flooding or water damage.  As part of BPA’s Know What’s Below campaign, the company regularly communicates with landowners to warn them of the risks to pipelines if the right procedures are not followed when clearing ditches along the company’s 1000km of buried oil pipelines.

Keeping watercourses well maintained benefits the community, particularly if an area experiences flooding as poorly maintained watercourses can be a nuisance, restrict access to property and can result in considerable expense and inconvenience for those that have been flooded.

Issues arise when landowners or contractors clear ditches with an excavator or other mechanical equipment as they have the potential to damage the buried high pressure oil pipelines.  Farmers or other landowners looking to operate in the vicinity of buried pipelines should contact the pipeline operator in advance before starting any works.

To help ensure the best and safest outcomes for all, BPA’s lands team ask that those who are looking to undertake any works within three metres of a buried BPA pipeline:

  • Give a minimum of 7 days-notice before works begin. This will ensure we can fully support you with your proposed activities.
  • Never assume you can go ahead unless consent is given. BPA’s team will be on hand to support your work, however, works should not begin until permission is granted.
  • Be aware pipeline depths vary under ditches and are not always protected with slabs. Be aware that pipeline depths vary across the country and can often be found only a metre below the surface, they are also seldom protected with concrete slabs.
  • Seek advice as pipelines do not always run in straight lines between marker posts. Although posts are used to mark the location of a pipeline at a field boundary, not all pipelines run in straight lines between posts. We’re here to help mark out the exact location.
  • Be aware that other infrastructure, such as cables, can be buried shallower than the pipeline. Often there are other potentially hazardous or safety critical infrastructure buried along the pipeline lengths, these can be found at even shallower depth to the pipeline.

Landowner’s responsibilities

It is also the landowner’s responsibility to ensure that contractors operating on their land comply with regulations.  Working near pipelines without taking the correct precautions can have serious consequences.

BPA’s Landowner Services team is on hand and able to support landowners regarding any questions or queries that they may have.  Our team is available 24/7 to offer advice and support landowners.  Contact us via the website or call 0800 585 387

/by BPA Management

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