Pipeline Safety


National Fuel is committed to maintaining a safe and reliable natural gas pipeline infrastructure that serves the needs of its customers. National Fuel recently appointed James D. Ramsdell to Senior Vice President in charge of the Company's initiatives for safety throughout all of its business operations, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. For more information, click here.

Our safety and customer service performance metrics are strong, and we routinely meet or exceed targets established by state regulators. We have a continuous emphasis on safety with $400 million spent in improvements, maintenance and repairs to our transmission, storage and distribution systems from 2006 through 2010.

Federal pipeline safety code requires that distribution pipeline systems comply with tough requirements for design, construction, testing, inspection, operations and maintenance for facilities all the way to and including the customer's meter.

Natural gas pipelines typically are regulated by both federal and state agencies. Distribution systems regulated by a state agency are required by law to comply with standards that are at least as stringent as or more stringent than those set forth in federal minimum safety mandates.

Public Education and Public Awareness Programs

National Fuel's pipeline public awareness programs are designed to enhance public safety by increasing the public's knowledge regarding pipeline locations and various safety issues. Through sharing information with property owners, businesses, excavators, emergency responders, public officials and other interested parties, National Fuel constantly endeavors to raise the awareness of our pipeline facilities and help the public better understand the role they can play in pipeline safety.

Click here for a brochure on Natural Gas Pipeline Safety to review printed material available on public awareness and pipeline safety. To request copies of this brochure or other public awareness program information, please send an email to CorpComm@natfuel.com or call 1-800-365-3234

Click here for additional pipeline awareness information and resources through the Northeast Gas Association's Public Awareness website.

Contractor Safety and Natural Gas

It is imperative that contractors and excavators use caution and work safely around natural gas pipelines or other facilities. The following steps are important for any excavation work:

  • Always "Call Before You Dig" - Call 811, the toll-free hotline, a few days before any excavation project and your call will be routed to a local One Call Center. Local utilities will mark any underground lines in the area of your excavation for NO COST and you will be able to proceed safely.
  • Be aware of pipeline markers like the one pictured on this page. While this is NOT a substitute for calling 811 before you dig, these markers identify the general location of pipelines.
  • Developers and excavators are encouraged to read National Fuel's Encroachment manual prior to the development of any construction plans.
    • Click here for National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation Encroachment manual.
    • Click here for National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation Encroachment manual.
    • Click here for Empire Pipeline Encroachment manual.
  • In the event you damage a pipeline during excavation or otherwise suspect a gas leak, immediately turn off any motorized or powered equipment and get away from the immediate area. Promptly call National Fuel's emergency number at 1-800-444-3130. Do not attempt to repair a leak yourself.

How can I tell where a pipeline is located?

Here are examples of markers that signify where natural gas pipelines are buried.

Since most pipelines are buried underground, pipeline markers as pictured here are used to indicate their approximate locations along routes. They cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of pipelines. The markers can be found where pipelines intersect streets, highways or railways.

Any markers should 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. If you're unsure, CALL US at 1-800-365-3234.

Click here to identify the location of pipelines in your areas by accessing the National Pipeline Mapping Center. If you have a need for more precise information on the location of the pipeline facilities, contact us at 1-800-365-3234 and arrangements will be made to have a company representative show you where the pipeline facilities are located.