America's pipeline network is used every day to transport products such as natural gas to homes, businesses and industrial facilities. According to National Transportation Safety Board statistics, pipelines are the safest and most economical method of transporting products. Our educational outreach teaches excavating contractors, emergency officials, public officials and the public how to live and work safely near natural gas pipelines.
CenterPoint Energy is committed to the safe and reliable operation of its pipelines and distribution system in your community. We monitor the operations of our pipelines, which are designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable federal and state requirements. We maintain our safety record with routine inspections, corrosion protection, maintenance and testing programs, employee training and public education. If you live or work near a pipeline, there's some basic information you should know.
For more information on natural gas safety, tour our natural gas safety section by navigating through the links on the left or the related links on the right.
How can you tell where a pipeline is located?
Since most pipelines are buried underground, pipeline markers are used to indicate their approximate location along the route. They cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of the pipeline. The markers can be found where a pipeline intersects a street, highway or railway.
The markers display the material transported in the line, the name of the pipeline operator, and a telephone number where the operator can be reached in the event of an emergency.
What is in a pipeline?
- Pipelines carry both gaseous and liquid materials under high pressure.
- Many pipelines contain colorless and odorless products.
- Many liquids form gaseous vapor clouds when released into the air.
- Some gases are lighter than air and will rise.
- Other heavier-than-air gases and liquids will stay near the ground and collect in low spots.
- All petroleum gases and liquids are flammable.
- Any pipeline leak can be potentially dangerous.
Pipeline Access & Security
Pipeline right-of-ways must be kept free from structures and other obstructions to provide access to the pipeline for maintenance and in the event of an emergency. If a pipeline crosses your property, please do not plant trees or high shrubs on the right-of-way. Do not dig, build, store or place anything on or near the right-of-ways without first having the pipeline marked and the right-of-ways staked.
Additionally, if you witness suspicious activity on a pipeline right-of-way, please report it to the authorities, or call your local CenterPoint Energy emergency number.
