Pipeline Construction Safety

Safety is not just a rule or read in a manual. Rockin' Production Services is committed to safe operations, safe facilities and safety-minded employees. As part of our ongoing safety focus, we meet with emergency workers and those who live near our facilities to keep them informed about natural gas, and the Rockin' Production pipeline system.

Our Pipelines are Composed of High-Strength Materials and Protected from Corrosion
The two hazards for a pipeline are puncture and corrosion. Rockin' Production Services uses a system of pipelines made of only high-strength materials that meet or exceed the standards of the natural gas industry and federal regulations. Before the pipe is installed in the ground it is coated with a corrosion resistant material. Our pipelines are resistant to corrosion by catholic protection. A small electrical current is run around buried pipe in our system to hold down the corrosive effects of the soil. This kind of protection is also required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Reactivity
Natural gas is stable, non-corrosive and non-polymerizing. However, when released, it readily mixes with air to form a combustible atmosphere. If mixed with some strong oxidizing agents such as chlorine, bromine, pentafluoride, oxygen difluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride in a confined space, natural gas can burn or explode. It will ignite spontaneously when mixed with chlorine dioxide.

Natural Gas & Pressure
The pressure of natural gas in a pipeline is carefully controlled so that it does not exceed levels known to be well within the capacity of the pipeline. Furthermore, before a pipeline is even put in service, it is tested using significantly higher pressures than it will hold during normal, day-to-day operations. During normal operations, a number of controls and protective devices and systems are used to hold pressures to safe limits. In areas where a natural gas pipeline will come into contact with corrosive content or a corrosive environment, the pipe is specially treated to withstand corrosion and additional protective systems are installed to protect the pipe. Normal pipeline operations are monitored constantly by computer-assisted control centers that can detect and understand changes in pressure or flow. The product actually flowing through the pipeline is also monitored constantly to detect chemical or other changes. Professional personnel who have been extensively trained in pipeline emergency procedures are stationed at strategic points along pipelines to speed response to problems or unusual events.