The American Petroleum Institute Pipeline Subcommittee adopted eight pipeline safety principles at meetings recently with industry operators and the Association of Oil Pipe Lines. The principles, which evolved from operator experiences and API’s Pipeline Performance Tracking System program, are aimed at helping to focus and improve industry safety programs and performance.

“The principles are evidence of our commitment to continuous safety improvement,” said Harry Pefanis, president and COO of Plains All American Pipeline and API Pipeline Committee chairman. “Industry’s adoption of these principles demonstrates our commitment and strengthens our ongoing efforts to improve our safety record.”

The eight liquid pipeline safety principles are: 

• Zero incidents
• Organization-wide commitment
• A culture of safety
• Continuous improvement
• Learn from experience
• Systems for success
• Employ technology, and
• Communicate with stakeholders

"Our members have worked hard to measure their performance and identify ways to improve,” said API Pipeline Director Peter Lidiak. “While we’ve seen great improvement, more is needed to move us towards a goal of zero incidents. Adoption of these principles sends a clear message to the entire industry and the public that safety will continue to be of paramount importance.”

API represents more than 500 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America’s energy, supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers more than $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested more than $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.