In October 2026, UKOPA will mark a major milestone: 30 years of working together to keep the UK’s onshore pipeline network safe, reliable and ready for the future.
To celebrate, members, industry partners and special guests will gather at Silverstone on 21–22 October for two days of reflection, learning and looking ahead.
It’s the perfect place to celebrate engineering excellence. Silverstone is synonymous with precision, performance and safety under pressure – exactly the values that have shaped UKOPA’s journey since 1996.
The event will include a special members conference as well as an exhibition featuring some of the leading supply partners to the pipeline industry as well as a gala black-tie dinner on the Wednesday evening (21 October). For details on remaining exhibitor, sponsorship and partner packages please contact events@ukopa.co.uk for more information.
From a small association to the voice of UK onshore pipelines
When UKOPA (the United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators’ Association) was established in 1996, the goal was simple but ambitious: to provide a recognised, authoritative voice on strategic issues affecting the safe operation and integrity management of onshore hydrocarbon pipelines in the UK.
Over three decades, that vision has become reality. Today:
- UKOPA members are responsible for over 27,000 km of pipelines across the UK
- Those pipelines deliver the fuels that heat homes, power stations, run vehicles and aircraft, and transport essential chemicals used in everyday products
- UKOPA member companies now operate the vast majority of the UK’s onshore high-pressure pipeline network– more than 95% by length
What started as a forum for sharing good practice has grown into a mature, collaborative association that:
- brings together operators from oil, gas and chemicals
- works closely with regulators such as the HSE and the Environment Agency
- develops good practice guidance used across the industry
- supports training and competence, including specialist programmes such as the Pipeline Emergency Response Officer (PERO) training
The result is a safer, more joined-up industry, with UKOPA members playing a critical role in protecting people, the environment and the UK economy.
Silverstone 2026: Two days to celebrate, connect and learn
The 30th anniversary celebration at Silverstone will be much more than a party. Over the two days, delegates can expect a blend of:
- Looking back: three decades of achievement
The event will be an opportunity to reflect on how far the industry, and UKOPA, have come since 1996, including:
- How operators have driven continuous improvement in pipeline integrity, corrosion management and process safety
- The impact of UKOPA’s working groups in areas such as emergency planning, infringement prevention and risk assessment
- The evolution of guidance and good practice, helping everyone who works near or with pipelines – from contractors and utilities to planners, developers, landowners and farmers – to do so safely
It’s a chance to recognise the volunteers, experts and member representatives who have contributed their time and knowledge over the years.
- Showcasing the power of collaboration
UKOPA has always been built on collaboration: between operators, regulators, emergency planners, and many others across the UK’s energy and industrial landscape.
Across the two days, there will be opportunities for:
- Networking and sharing lessons learned across companies and disciplines
- Hearing perspectives from regulators and stakeholders on emerging risks and expectations
- Discussing how data, technology and innovation are changing the way pipelines are designed, operated and maintained
The focus will be on practical insight – what’s working, what’s changing, and how UKOPA members can collectively stay ahead of the curve.
- Looking ahead: UKOPA’s role in the next 30 years
While the Silverstone celebration marks 30 successful years, it’s very much a forward-looking event.
The UK’s energy system is undergoing profound change. As the country moves towards net zero, the onshore pipeline network will continue to play a central role, whether transporting traditional fuels more efficiently and safely, or enabling new low-carbon infrastructure.
Discussions at the event are expected to explore themes such as:
- Supporting the energy transition – how existing skills, standards and good practice can be applied to emerging energy needs and changing demand
- Resilience and emergency planning – ensuring the network remains robust in the face of climate change, cyber threats and other evolving risks
- Future skills and talent – attracting and developing the next generation of engineers, technicians and specialists who will steward these assets into the 2050s and beyond
The message is clear: UKOPA’s role is not only to reflect on past success, but to help shape the future of safe pipeline operations in the UK.
The strength behind UKOPA: working groups and shared knowledge
A big part of UKOPA’s growth story is the strength of its technical and specialist working groups. Today there are six core groups, covering:
- Emergency Planning & Resilience
- Fault Data and Risk Assessment
- Infringement
- Process Safety
- Pipeline Integrity
- Corrosion Prevention
These groups:
- bring together subject-matter experts from across member companies
- analyse incidents, near misses and fault data to understand risk trends
- develop Good Practice Guides and other industry-wide resources
- support training and outreach to those working near pipelines
This collaborative model is one of UKOPA’s greatest strengths, and it will be a major theme at Silverstone, showing how shared learning and joint problem-solving have made the UK’s pipeline industry one of the safest in the world.
A brief thank you – and an open invitation
Above all, UKOPA’s 30th anniversary is a chance to say thank you:
- to member companies for their commitment to collaboration, safety and transparency
- to the many individuals and organisations that have contributed to working groups, guidance documents, training and outreach
- to regulators, emergency planners, contractors, landowners and many others who work alongside UKOPA members to keep the UK’s pipelines safe
The celebration at Silverstone on 21–22 October 2026 will bring that community together to mark what has been achieved and to build momentum for what comes next. We look forward to celebrating that journey with you at Silverstone in October 2026.