Supporting Safe Communities Near Our Pipelines
Pipelines are a safe and reliable part of our energy infrastructure, but their location should be considered when communities plan development, issue permits, coordinate public events, improve roads, or undertake other activities near pipeline facilities.
SM Energy operates pipelines and related facilities that transport natural gas, crude oil, and other hydrocarbon products in areas where people live, work, farm, and conduct business. Maintaining awareness of these facilities helps public agencies make informed decisions, preserve access to pipeline rights-of-way, and reduce the risk of damage or interference with safe pipeline operations.
Although pipeline incidents are uncommon, a leak, release, or rupture can create a serious public safety concern. Local officials, emergency planners, permitting authorities, and other public agencies play an important role in helping protect communities by considering pipeline locations during land-use planning, construction, permitting, and emergency-response activities.
For additional information, please contact SM Energy using the information provided below or email awareness@everlineus.com with “SM Energy” in the subject line.
Thank you for helping us support safe, informed communities.
SM Energy
Pipelines in Your Vicinity
SM Energy operates pipelines and related facilities in your area that transport natural gas, crude oil, and other hydrocarbon products from production sites to processing, storage, and transportation facilities. These systems are operated in accordance with applicable federal and state safety requirements and are routinely monitored, inspected, and maintained to support safe and reliable operations.
Important Natural Gas Safety Information for Public Officials
Public officials, emergency planners, permitting authorities, and local agencies play an important role in helping protect communities located near pipeline facilities. Understanding the basic characteristics of natural gas and appropriate emergency-response actions can help support safer, more coordinated decision-making.
Natural gas may be odorized or unodorized. Where odorant is present, natural gas may smell similar to sulfur or rotten eggs. Any suspected gas odor should be treated seriously. Move people away from the area, avoid potential ignition sources, and call 911 from a safe location. If the pipeline operator is known, notify the operator as soon as possible.
Natural gas is highly flammable. Although it is generally considered non-toxic, natural gas can displace oxygen and create an asphyxiation hazard, particularly in enclosed or confined spaces. Exposure may also cause dizziness, headache, nausea, or difficulty breathing.
Released natural gas behaves differently depending on its surroundings. Outdoors, unconfined natural gas is lighter than air and typically rises and disperses. In buildings, underground structures, enclosed areas, or other confined spaces, gas can accumulate and create a potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere.
Do not attempt to stop or control a pipeline release. In the event of a suspected leak, rupture, or other pipeline emergency, establish a safe perimeter, keep the public away, and allow trained pipeline personnel and emergency responders to assess the situation.
Pipeline fires may continue until the fuel source is controlled. Pressurized natural gas remaining within a pipeline can continue feeding a fire. Extinguishing flames without first controlling the gas supply may allow unburned gas to accumulate and create an additional hazard.
Never operate pipeline valves or equipment. Valves, relief devices, regulators, and other pipeline components should only be operated by authorized SM Energy personnel or individuals specifically directed by the operator. Unauthorized operation can worsen an emergency or affect other parts of the pipeline system.
Coordinate through the established incident command structure. During a pipeline-related emergency, SM Energy will work with fire, law enforcement, emergency management, and other responding agencies to provide pipeline information, support protective actions, and safely isolate or control affected facilities.
Ongoing liaison and preparedness are essential. SM Energy works with local emergency-response organizations and public agencies to improve awareness of pipeline locations, emergency procedures, and appropriate response considerations before an incident occurs.
How SM Energy Helps Protect Its Pipeline Systems
SM Energy operates and maintains its pipeline facilities in accordance with applicable federal and state pipeline safety requirements. Safety is supported through a combination of engineering standards, inspections, monitoring, maintenance, damage-prevention practices, integrity-management activities, and emergency preparedness.
Pipeline systems are designed and operated within established pressure limits and are periodically inspected and evaluated to identify conditions that may require maintenance or corrective action. SM Energy also monitors its facilities, maintains access to pipeline rights-of-way, coordinates with excavators and public agencies, and responds to reported or suspected pipeline issues.
These layers of prevention, monitoring, maintenance, and emergency planning are intended to reduce the likelihood of an incident and support a safe, effective response if one occurs.
Important Pipeline Considerations for Public Offices
Public agencies can help reduce pipeline risk by considering buried infrastructure during planning, permitting, emergency management, transportation, and land-use decisions. The following considerations are especially important when public work or development may occur near pipeline facilities:
Do not rely on pipeline markers to determine pipeline location. Many pipelines are buried and may not be continuously or permanently marked. Markers identify the general presence of a pipeline but do not indicate its exact location, alignment, or depth.
Protect access to pipeline rights-of-way and aboveground facilities. Buildings, fencing, landscaping, equipment, stored materials, or other obstructions can interfere with inspections, maintenance, repairs, and emergency response. Pipeline easements and rights-of-way should be considered when reviewing permits, development plans, road projects, and other proposed improvements.
Use the National Pipeline Mapping System as a planning resource. The NPMS Public Map Viewer provides approximate locations of many transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines. However, it does not include every pipeline or underground facility and should not be used as a substitute for field locating or coordination with the pipeline operator.
Contact 811 before excavation or ground disturbance. Many gathering lines, service lines, utilities, and other underground facilities may not appear on public mapping systems. A valid 811 locate request is the appropriate first step before digging, drilling, grading, trenching, or other excavation activities.
Consider pipeline depth and surface loading. The amount of soil covering a buried pipeline can vary over time and by location. Heavy vehicles, cranes, construction equipment, stockpiled materials, temporary structures, or other concentrated loads may require review by the pipeline operator before being placed or moved across a pipeline.
Coordinate major public activities near pipeline facilities. Road construction, utility work, public events, emergency exercises, development projects, and other activities near a pipeline may create access or safety considerations. Early coordination with SM Energy can help identify appropriate precautions before work begins.
Recognize areas requiring enhanced pipeline protection. Certain pipeline segments may be subject to additional integrity-management requirements because of nearby population, environmental sensitivity, or other risk factors. Public planning decisions that change development density or land use near a pipeline can also affect future risk considerations.
Report suspicious activity, vandalism, or damage promptly. Unauthorized excavation, tampering, vandalism, damaged markers, exposed pipeline, or unusual activity near pipeline facilities should be reported to the operator. Even damage that appears minor can affect the long-term integrity of a pipeline.
Maintain current pipeline information for emergency planning. Public safety agencies should know how to contact pipeline operators serving their jurisdiction and incorporate pipeline information into emergency-response and community-planning activities where appropriate.
Working collaboratively with pipeline operators helps public officials make informed decisions, preserve emergency access, reduce the likelihood of pipeline damage, and support safer communities.