Pipeline operators must report more small leaks as 'incidents'

US pipeline regulators want to change how property damage is defined for reporting leaks. This means more minor leaks will now count as reportable incidents, requiring immediate notification.

For years, pipeline operators could avoid reporting smaller leaks if the property damage fell below a certain threshold. This change means that even minor damage, like a small fire or a damaged fence, will trigger a formal incident report. The goal is to get a clearer picture of the actual frequency of pipeline failures, not just the catastrophic ones.