The US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently proposed new restrictions. These new regulation amendments are intended to increase the safety of pipelines delivering CO2 and hazardous substances.
Need for New Regulations
The new safety standards are designed as an ehancement to existing rules. Plus, these new regulations introduce specific measures for CO2 pipelines. With the number of CO2 pipelines to increase, ensuring public safety and environmental protection is vital. PHMSA has acknowledged the risks transportation of CO2 presents.
Also read: Equinor Faces Backlash Over Discrepancy in Sleipner CO2 Storage Claims
One of the key elements of the new rules is a requirement for more comprehensive vapor dispersion analyses. This rule will enable the assessment of the potential risks in the event of a pipeline failure, particularly the danger posed by CO2 vapor. The CO2 vapor can displace oxygen in the air, causing a risk of asphyxiation hazard both to humans and animals.
The 2020 Satartia Incident
PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown emphasized the importance of stronger CO2 pipeline safety regulations. He cited the 2020 incident in Satartia, Mississippi. During that event, a Denbury pipeline ruptured, releasing a large amount of CO2. The leak led to evacuations and the hospitalization of 45 people. Brown noted that such incidents highlight the urgent need for better safety standards.
The incident resulted in a settlement between Denbury and PHMSA in 2023, where Denbury paid a $2.8 million penalty. It serves as a reminder of the risks associated with CO2 pipeline transport.
Need for Carbon Capture
The role of CCS technologies becomes more vital as the fight against climate change intensifies. Carbon dioxide pipelines are highly important for transporting captured CO2 for storage. In this growing need for CCS technologies, it is vital to avoid accidents similar to the one that occurred at Satartia.
The proposed CO2 pipeline safety regulations by PHMSA are a necessity to safeguard communities and the environment. As the country expands its use of carbon capture technologies, these new rules aim to mitigate the risks CO2 transportation presents.