Signs of a Pipeline Leak

Using your sense of sight, hearing, and smell will help you recognize a possible leak. Here's what you should look for:

Sight: Puddles of liquid, continuous bubbling in wet or flooded areas, an oily sheen on water surfaces, vaporous mists or blowing dirt around a pipe area, dead or discolored plants in an otherwise vegetated area. healthy or frozen soil in warm weather are all of them. signs of a possible leak in the pipe. Steam and “ground frost” may be visible at high pressures and flames could be present near a hole in the ground.

Sound: Volume can vary from a quiet hiss to a loud roar, depending on the size of the leak and pipe.

Odor: An unusual odor, like oil or hydrocarbons, or gas, will sometimes accompany leaks in pipes. Some are colorless, tasteless, and odorless unless commercial odorants or mercaptan are added.

What to do if you suspect a leak:

  • Flee the area immediately, upwind of the possible escape
  • When you are a safe distance away, call 911 first and then the pipeline operator
  • If it is safe to do so, warn others not to enter the potential leak area and/or create an ignition spark

What NOT to do if you suspect a leak:

  • Start or stop an engine of any type
  • Light matches or create a flame of any kind
  • Use a telephone or cell phone, unless you are in a place safe from the wind and away from the leak site
  • Turn any light switch, garage door opener, or other electrical switches on or off
  • Touch, breathe, or come into contact with leaking product
  • Drive toward an area of ​​vapor leak or cloud

What we do if a leak occurs:

  • Upon notification of an incident or leak in the pipeline, Diversified Energy will send trained personnel to evaluate the leak
  • The leak will be assessed, monitored, isolated to minimize the leak or repaired immediately depending on the nature of the leak
  • Diversified Energy regularly communicates, plans and trains with local emergency services
  • Diversified Energy's personnel and emergency responders are trained to protect life, property and facilities in an emergency
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