The BSB EDGE Blog

Recently, people in Indore, India, faced a tragedy when a preventable pipeline failure led to sewage mixing with drinking water. The aftermath was catastrophic. While this incident did not involve oil or gas pipelines, it highlights a universal truth: pipelines, whether carrying water, oil, gas, or carbon dioxide, are lifelines that demand vigilance.

From the water that flows into our homes, to the oil and gas fueling industries, to the emerging carbon dioxide networks supporting carbon capture and storage (CCS), pipelines form the invisible backbone of modern society. They:

• Deliver clean water to communities.
• Transport energy resources across nations.
• Enable industrial processes from chemicals to pharmaceuticals.
• Support climate solutions by moving CO₂ for sequestration.

Yet, because they are buried underground or hidden from view, pipelines are often taken for granted until something goes wrong.

History offers sobering reminders of what happens when pipeline safety is neglected:

• Satartia, Mississippi, US (2020): A CO₂ pipeline rupture released a dense cloud, forcing evacuations and sending dozens to hospital.
• Nagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India (2014): A natural gas pipeline explosion killed over 20 people, highlighting the risks of aging infrastructure.
• San Juanico, Mexico (1984): A pipeline leak ignited, causing one of the deadliest industrial disasters in history.

Each incident reinforces the same lesson: Pipeline Integrity Is Non-Negotiable.

Why Standards and Oversight Matter

Pipelines are complex systems influenced by pressure, corrosion, material fatigue, and human error. Without clear standards and rigorous oversight, risks multiply. That’s why organizations like API, ISO, ASME, and CSA have developed structured guidance to ensure pipelines are designed, operated, and maintained safely.

Standards don’t just prevent accidents, they:

• Protect communities and the environment.
• Build confidence for investors and regulators.
• Enable innovation in energy transition projects like CCS.
• Ensure resilience in critical infrastructure.

By adopting global best practices and adhering to standards, industries can ensure that pipelines remain what they were meant to be: Lifelines, Not Liabilities.

Stay ahead in pipeline safety and compliance. Subscribe with BSB Edge to access API RP 1192:2025 and related global standards across water, oil, gas, and CO₂pipelines.