Areas of interest
UKOPA members provide information on buried pipelines to help meet the Pipelines Safety Regulations. For major accident hazard pipelines (MAHPs), Regulation 15 states, “No person shall cause damage to a pipeline that could endanger people.” UKOPA members will supply detailed pipeline route information and conduct site visits to mark the pipeline’s exact location before any work that might threaten its integrity. Operators will also brief relevant personnel, including contractors and utilities.
Emergency Planners
The Fault and Risk Assessment Working Group (FARWG) offers expert insights on pipeline fault data and risk assessment, focusing on safety, supply security, and environmental matters on behalf of UKOPA.
Planners and Developers
UKOPA’s expertise in pipeline risk assessment is outlined in IGEM/TD/2 and PD 8010_3:2009. These documents help operators and developers assess risks when proposing developments near existing pipelines, especially major accident hazard pipelines (MAHPs). Local Planning Authorities must consult the HSE to ensure safety when developing near these pipelines. If development is blocked due to safety concerns, a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) can be conducted to assess and mitigate risk, with input from the pipeline operator.