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Why Working Near Buried Pipelines Requires Care and Planning

UKOPA Infringement report

Every year, thousands of people across the UK safely carry out farming, construction, drainage and land management activities near buried pipelines. However, new figures published by the United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators’ Association (UKOPA) highlight why it is so important to know what lies beneath the ground before any work begins.

According to UKOPA’s latest Infringement Database Report, 880 pipeline infringements were recorded across the UK’s buried pipeline network during 2024 – a 33% increase compared with the previous year. While many of these incidents did not result in damage, three involved actual damage to pipelines, demonstrating that the risks remain very real.

The report, which is compiled annually by UKOPA’s Infringement Working Group, found that the majority of incidents occurred on farmland and private land, accounting for more than 73% of all reported infringements. Activities such as excavation, ditching, fencing and installation works were among the most common causes. Landowners were associated with more than 60% of reported incidents, while contractors also accounted for a significant proportion.

For BPA, which operates a network of high-pressure fuel pipelines and is a member of UKOPA, these findings reinforce an important message: most pipeline incidents are preventable.

Buried pipelines are critical national infrastructure, transporting products safely and efficiently across the country. Although they are generally located underground and out of sight, they can be at relatively shallow depths in some locations. Activities such as fencing, drainage installation, ditch maintenance, tree planting and excavation all have the potential to damage a pipeline if appropriate precautions are not taken. Damage can pose serious risks to people, property, the environment and the continuity of essential fuel supplies.

The good news is that help is readily available. Before carrying out any work near a pipeline, landowners, contractors and anyone managing land should contact the pipeline operator. BPA can provide free advice, identify the location of pipelines, explain safe working requirements and, where necessary, arrange supervision to ensure work is completed safely.

UKOPA’s report also highlights the positive impact that awareness campaigns can have. Fencing-related infringements reduced following targeted safety initiatives and guidance, demonstrating that greater awareness and communication can significantly reduce risks.

At BPA, we are committed to working closely with landowners, farmers, tenants and contractors to promote safe working practices. By planning ahead, checking for buried infrastructure and speaking to the pipeline operator before work starts, everyone can play a role in protecting themselves, their colleagues and the UK’s vital pipeline network.

If you’re planning work near a pipeline, don’t take chances. Contact BPA’s dedicated Lands Team before you begin and make sure you know what’s below.

/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
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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
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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

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
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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
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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