Myths About Oil & Gas Pipelines

Experienced Trial Lawyers Handling Oil and Gas Cases

When it comes to myths about oil and gas pipelines, keep the following points in mind: Oil and gas companies will only rarely volunteer to fix a problem that could be pushed off to another day. They will only rarely do more than the minimum required by law to perform appropriate maintenance. Why? Unless a pipeline explosion severely injures or kills someone, it costs more to fix safety problems than it does to put them off.

That is why we represent injured oil and gas workers and residents and families that have been injured or suffered property damage because of oil and gas accidents. We have handled all types of cases, including pipeline explosions. Established in 1951, the trial lawyers of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner have 70 years of experience. Our firm is the oldest plaintiffs personal injury law firm in Texas. Call (713) 222-7211 (toll free 713-222-7211) or contact our office online for a free consultation.

Pipeline Myths vs. Pipeline Facts.

There are many myths about oil and gas pipelines that have to do with safety and the rules regarding safety.

Myth: All pipelines fall under uniform federal regulations.

• Fact: There is no single agency that oversees all activities of oil and gas companies. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is in charge of investigating all major pipeline incidents, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) creates regulations and rules regarding pipeline safety, but most states have their own agencies that also govern enforcement of local pipeline regulations. In some areas of the country, oil and gas companies do not even need permits to conduct various aspects of pipeline work.

Myth: Pipelines are regularly fixed, maintained or updated because the gas pipeline infrastructure requires such maintenance to function properly.

• Fact: Much of the pipeline infrastructure is decades old, yet it still works from the standpoint of transporting natural gas and crude oil from place to place — despite gas leaks and explosions. When it comes to pipeline infrastructure, many standards are not uniform from state to state and there is no universal age at which pipelines must be updated.

Myth: Federal regulations protect the health of people living near pipelines and other gas drilling areas such as hydro fracking sites and oil wells.

• Fact: The oil and gas industry is actually exempt from key provisions in a number of federal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Safe Water Drinking Act. As result, these energy companies are not always penalized for not taking steps to protect human health and the environment.

Harmed by an Oil or Gas Incident?

If you’ve been injured or suffered property damage as the result of an oil and gas accident, it helps to understand and discuss your options. Consider the trial attorneys of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner. For a free consultation, call (713) 222-7211 (toll free 713-222-7211) or e-mail our Houston office for a free consultation.