United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators’ Association

Welcome to UKOPA

UKOPA is a membership organisation made up of pipeline operators that are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of a network of pipelines that spans over 27,000 km of pipelines in the UK.

These pipelines deliver the fuels that heats our homes, power our stations, run vehicles and aircraft, and transports essential chemicals for use in everyday products. Safely maintaining the integrity of this infrastructure is crucial to the UK economy.

About UKOPA

Working groups

UKOPA currently has six working groups, each with its own terms of reference and objectives. The chairman of each working group reports to the board at each board meeting and bi-annually to the members at the members meeting.

1. Emergency Planning & Resilience Working Group (EPRWG)

2. Fault Data and Risk Assessment Working Group (FARWG)

3. Infringement Working Group (IWG)

4. Process Safety Working Group (PSWG)

5. Pipeline Integrity Working Group (PIWG)

6. Corrosion Prevention Working Group (CPWG)

1. Emergency Planning Working Group (EPWG)

2. Fault and Risk Assessment Working Group (FARWG)

3. Infringement Working Group (IWG)

4. Process Safety Working Group (PSWG)

5. Pipeline Integrity Working Group (PIWG)

6. Corrosion Prevention Working Group (CPWG)

Areas of interest

In order to ensure pipelines are operated and managed in the safest possible way, UKOPA working groups develop guidance and advice that can be used by individuals and organisations who may be affected by, need to work on or near, or who have pipelines running through land they may be working in, own or tenant.

Contractors and Utilities

Emergency Planners

Landowners, Farmers and Tenants

Planning and Developers

Pipeline Safety

Contractors and Utilities

Emergency Planners

Landowners, Farmers and Tenants

Planning and Developers

Pipeline Safety

Latest News & Events

Celebrating International Women’s Day: Spotlight on Lily Ganchi

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements, contributions, and impact of women across every sector. At UKOPA, we are proud to highlight the talented women helping to shape the future of the pipeline and energy industries. Today we are shining a spotlight on Lily Ganchi, a Pipeline Engineer with National Gas Transmission’s Pipelines & Installations team. Lily’s journey into...

UKOPA Infringement Report 2024: Key Findings and Next Steps

UKOPA has now published its 2024 Infringement Database Report, compiled annually by its Infringement Working Group (IWG). This report provides pipeline operators with vital insights into pipeline safety, analysing near-misses, infringements, and actual damage incidents across the UK pipeline network. A Sharp Rise in Reported Infringements In 2024, 880 infringements were recorded – a 33% increase compared with 662 in...

Good Practice for Housing Developers Working Near High-Pressure Pipelines

As the demand for new housing continues to grow and the UK government announces its target of building 1.5million new homes over the next parliament, more developments are being planned in areas where high-pressure (HP) pipelines are already part of the landscape. These pipelines form a critical component of the UK’s energy infrastructure, and their...