Oil Pipelines: Water Pollution And Environmental Impact

Oil and gas pipelines are a common method of transporting billions of barrels of oil across the US each year. However, they have been the cause of numerous spills, contaminating water sources and causing harm to the environment and wildlife. Oil pipelines are often built near or across rivers, streams, and other water bodies, increasing the risk of pollution. While the potential dangers of oil pipelines are well-known, government agencies continue to approve new pipelines, prioritizing corporate profits over environmental concerns. This has led to a troubling history of spills, contamination, injuries, and deaths associated with oil and gas pipelines, with long-lasting impacts on water quality and the health of ecosystems and communities.

Oil pipeline spills and contamination

Oil pipelines have a troubling history of spills and contamination, causing injuries and deaths. The US has the largest oil pipeline network in the world, with pipelines stretching a total of 223,000 miles. Since 1986, there have been almost 8,000 pipeline incidents, resulting in more than 500 deaths, 2,300 injuries, and nearly $7 billion in damage.

There are several reasons for pipeline spills, including damage during excavation, metal failure, improper operation, and corrosion. Oil pipelines often cross or run alongside rivers, streams, and other waterways, and when spills occur, they can cause devastating harm to wildlife and the environment. For example, in June 2024, a pipeline leaked over 100,000 gallons of crude oil into the waterways of Smackover, Arkansas, killing wildlife and polluting the local water sources.

Another example is the Mariner East 2 pipeline, which resulted in 320 spills between 2017 and 2020, releasing up to 405,990 gallons of drilling fluid, with more than 260,000 gallons spilled illegally into Pennsylvania waterways. One spill in August of an unspecified year released over 8,000 gallons of drilling fluid into a wetland and stream system that drained into a drinking water reservoir near Philadelphia.

Cleanup of pipeline spills is often only partially successful, leaving tens of thousands of barrels of oil in the water. The crude tar sands oil that some pipelines transport contains bitumen, which can sink below the surface of a waterway when spilled and quickly accumulate on the sediment, posing a danger to wildlife. Additionally, abandoned pipelines are often left on the ocean floor, posing a risk of leaks and further contamination.

Waterways and drinking water sources at risk

Oil and gas pipelines crisscross the United States, and new ones are still being built. The potential for harm is well known, yet government agencies continue to approve their construction. Oil pipelines have contaminated drinking water sources and waterways, causing irreversible damage to the environment and the health of those who depend on these sources.

Oil pipelines have a troubling history of spills, with thousands of incidents recorded since 1986. These spills have resulted in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and billions of dollars in damage. The Mariner East 2 pipeline, for example, has been responsible for 320 spills between 2017 and 2020, releasing up to 405,990 gallons of drilling fluid into the environment, with more than 260,000 gallons spilled illegally into Pennsylvania waterways. In another incident, a pipeline spill in Smackover, Arkansas, in June 2024, released more than 100,000 gallons of crude oil into surrounding areas, including creeks that flow into the Ouachita River.

The contamination of drinking water sources has severe consequences for human health. In Lancaster County, the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline harmed nearly 50 farms, resulting in the loss of priceless topsoil and stream contamination. Similarly, the Permian Highway pipeline in Texas experienced an accident that spilled 36,000 gallons of drilling fluid, contaminating groundwater used by local families as their sole source of drinking water. The water was described as resembling chocolate milk and contained high levels of lead and other heavy metals.

The failure of pipelines carrying hazardous materials can have calamitous effects on groundwater sources. A pipeline rupture may contaminate the water table for decades, depending on the nature and size of the spill. Additionally, sewage and wastewater pipelines, if compromised, can deposit human waste into bodies of water, rendering drinking water polluted and undrinkable for extended periods.

The International Energy Agency has called for an end to new investments in fossil fuel pipelines, as cleaner alternatives are available. The transition to clean energy is essential to eliminating the risk of oil pipeline spills and protecting our waterways and drinking water sources.

Accidents, injuries and deaths

Oil and gas pipelines have a troubling history of causing accidents, injuries, and deaths. Since 1986, there have been nearly 8,000 "significant incidents" involving oil and gas pipelines in the United States, resulting in more than 500 deaths and 2,300 injuries. These incidents have also caused nearly $7 billion in damage.

Pipeline-related accidents are often caused by pipeline corrosion, incorrect operation, equipment failure, or other factors. From 2004 to 2023, there were 1,187 "significant incidents" involving spills of crude oil from pipelines in the United States, with a total of 750,000 barrels of oil spilled into the environment. In 2024 alone, there were several notable pipeline spills that caused serious pollution of local waterways.

The spills from pipelines can have devastating impacts on wildlife and the environment. For example, the Keystone Pipeline has been the source of multiple oil spills, including one in December 2022 that killed more than 100 animals. Another spill in August 2022 released more than 8,000 gallons of drilling fluids into a wetland and stream system that drained into a drinking water reservoir near Philadelphia.

In addition to the immediate impacts of accidents and spills, pipelines can also cause long-term environmental damage. Abandoned pipelines can corrode and leak oil and chemicals into the ocean, and they can also get in the way of coastal restoration efforts. The federal government has allowed a massive number of pipelines to be abandoned instead of removed, with over 97% of decommissioned pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico left on the seafloor since the 1960s.

The potential for harm from oil and gas pipelines is well known, yet government agencies continue to approve new pipelines and rubber-stamp permits. To protect the public and waterways from the impact of spills, regular inspection and monitoring of pipelines are necessary, with significant penalties for safety violations. The transition to clean energy is the surest way to end the risk of oil pipeline spills.

Abandoned pipelines and ocean pollution

Oil and gas pipelines have a long history of causing harm to people, nature, and the planet. They have been linked to incidents of contamination, injuries, and deaths. In the United States, there have been nearly 8,000 pipeline incidents since 1986, resulting in more than 500 deaths, over 2,300 injuries, and billions of dollars in damage.

Despite the well-known dangers of pipelines, the US federal government has allowed a significant number of pipelines to be abandoned instead of removed. Since the 1960s, over 97% of decommissioned pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico, totalling 18,000 miles, have been left on the seafloor. This approach of "out of sight, out of mind" is unacceptable for industrial pollution.

Oil and gas companies often request to leave their pipelines on the seafloor as it is less expensive and easier for them. However, this decision ends up costing taxpayers who may have to pay for the removal. Additionally, abandoned pipelines can still contain oil or chemicals that can leak and pollute the ocean. As these pipelines age, they become more susceptible to corrosion and spills, further endangering the health of the ocean.

The presence of these abandoned pipelines also hinders coastal restoration efforts. In Louisiana, for instance, about 80% of the sand in the Gulf of Mexico that could be used to rebuild the state's coast is blocked by oil and gas infrastructure, including pipelines. This obstruction not only makes restoration projects more challenging but also more costly.

The potential consequences of pipeline abandonment are severe. A broken pipeline off the coast of Huntington Beach released tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the ocean, resulting in the death of birds and the closure of beaches and fisheries. This incident highlights the environmental and economic harm caused by oil disasters.

To address this issue, responsible decommissioning should be made mandatory for all offshore energy development. Additionally, increased oversight and finalization of regulations for active and decommissioned pipelines are necessary to prevent further ocean pollution.

Pipeline safety and maintenance

Oil and gas pipelines have harmed people, nature, and the planet in several ways, including contaminating drinking water sources and streams and rivers. A history of spills, contamination, injuries, and deaths has been revealed by an analysis of oil and gas pipeline safety in the United States.

To enhance public safety and reduce methane emissions and air pollution, PHMSA has proposed a rule to improve the detection and repair of leaks from new and existing natural gas distribution, transmission, and gathering pipelines. This rule would add an extra layer of protection by using cutting-edge technology to identify and fix leaks before they become more severe ruptures.

Furthermore, PHMSA is working to ensure that underserved and disadvantaged communities are not left behind when it comes to pipeline maintenance and safety measures. They have expanded their public outreach and education on pipeline safety and have initiated community-based excavation damage prevention initiatives in historically underserved areas.

The Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 (PIPES Act of 2020) is also being implemented to strengthen safety measures and ensure the US has a safe and efficient transportation system. This includes addressing aging infrastructure, as many pipelines in the US are over 80 years old and require robust maintenance and replacement.

Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go to ensure that pipeline safety and maintenance effectively protect people, communities, and the environment from the potential harms of oil and gas pipelines.

Frequently asked questions