The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) considers natural gas pipelines as one of the safest modes of energy transportation. Our company meets and often exceeds appropriate safety regulations and works closely with regulatory agencies. At Southeast Supply Header, safety is paramount. The safety of the employees and the general public is assured throughout each step of the pipeline’s operations, including new construction.

The pipeline will be constructed of high-strength carbon steel that is coated with corrosion resistant, non-conductive, inert material. During construction, each joint of the pipeline is welded and x-rayed to verify its integrity. The pipeline is cathodically protected after the pipe is placed in the ground. Cathodic protection is the process of applying a safe, low volt direct current to all surfaces of the pipeline to protect it from the effects of corrosion. Additionally, the pipeline is hydrostatically tested at high pressure to ensure its structural integrity prior to being placed in service. During the hydrostatic testing, the pipeline is filled with water and pressurized to a level higher than the maximum allowable operating pressure. That pressure is held for a specified period of time to confirm the integrity of the pipeline.

Once the pipeline is installed, with a minimum of three feet of cover, the surface is restored to its pre-existing condition. Then, Southeast Supply Header installs above ground pipeline markers to indicate the location of the buried pipeline. These markers, required by USDOT regulations, are placed along the pipeline and at each and every road and railroad crossing. Markers are designed to enhance public safety and alert anyone planning any excavation of the location of the pipeline in a particular area. The markers display contact information for Southeast Supply Header should you need assistance or witness a pipeline emergency.

An important component of public safety is leak protection and detection. Southeast Supply Header personnel will regularly perform visual inspections of the pipeline to identify potential problems. These inspections are done on foot, by vehicle or air. Southeast Supply Header is an active member and advocate of the One Call System programs in Texas and Louisiana. Through these One Call System programs, Southeast Supply Header is informed of planned excavations, allowing us to monitor activities around the right-of-way to protect the pipeline.

Once the pipeline is in service, the Southeast Supply Header System Control electronically monitors the operations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and uses a highly sophisticated computerized gas monitoring system to read pressures along the pipeline on a continuous basis.