Pipeline Leak Detection & Prevention
Williams has a comprehensive pipeline integrity program designed to not only detect pipeline leaks, but also prevent them from
occurring.
Click the markers on this diagram to learn more about the specific components of our safety program.
Regular Aerial Inspections

To help protect against third-party damage, which is the leading cause of pipeline incidents, regular inspections by
low-flying aircraft keep a watchful eye on the pipeline routes and adjacent areas. Heavily populated areas are
inspected and patrolled more frequently.
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Gas Control

Highly-trained pipeline personnel monitor our systems 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Dispatchers can quickly activate emergency shutdown
procedures
if they detect a problem.
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Public Awareness

Safety information regarding our operations is distributed annually to
landowners, residents and businesses located near our facilities.
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Regular Patrols

Pipeline maintenance crews perform facility inspections, check for
construction activity in the vicinity of the pipeline, and maintain the
pipelines and their rights of way. Heavily populated areas are
inspected and patrolled more frequently.
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Line Markers

In accordance with federal law, aboveground pipeline markers are used
to alert the public of the presence of one or more pipelines within an
easement. These markers, which contain the name of the pipeline
operator and emergency contact information, are usually located near
road,
rail, fence, water crossings and curbs.
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Block Valves

Block valves are used to stop the gas flow, either during maintenance or in the event of an emergency.
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Valve Inspections

Valves are inspected annually to ensure that they are operable in the event of an emergency.
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One Call

Williams actively supports the nationwide One-Call system. When a call
is made to One-Call, Williams will come to the excavation site and mark
the location of our pipeline using spray paint on the surface directly
above the pipeline or by placing flags identifying the type of
underground service.
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Leak Surveys

Leak surveys must be conducted at least once every calendar year. More
frequent testing is done depending on the nature of operations and
location of the pipeline.
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Cathodic Protection

Once the pipeline is placed in the ground, Williams installs a system
called cathodic protection, which along with the pipe's protective
coating,
is designed to prevent corrosion.
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Anodes

Cathodic protection systems work by connecting the steel to be
protected to another more easily corroded sacrificial metal to act as
the anode.
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Meter To Measure Volume
Gas volumes are continuously monitored as gas flows through the
pipeline. This information is electronically sent to our Gas Control
center. Our equipment can detect even a slight change in gas flow.
Dispatchers can quickly activate emergency shutdown procedures if they
detect a problem.
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Temperature Sensor
Gas temperature is continuously monitored as gas flows through the
pipeline. This information is electronically sent to our Gas Control
center. Our equipment can detect even a slight change in temperature.
Dispatchers can quickly activate emergency shutdown procedures if they
detect a problem.
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Pressure Sensor
Pipe pressures are continuously monitored as gas flows through the
pipeline. This information is electronically sent to our Gas Control
center.
Our equipment can detect even a slight change in pressure. Dispatchers
can quickly activate emergency shutdown procedures if they detect a
problem.
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Hydrostatic Testing

Once the pipeline is in the ground, but before it is placed in
service, it undergoes hydrostatic testing. This means the pipeline is
tested with water at pressures higher than normal operating pressure to
ensure the pipeline's integrity.
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Pipeline Replacements

Sections of the pipeline may be cut out and replaced if potential problems are detected.
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Pressure Testing

After the pipe is fabricated at the pipe mill, it is pressure tested.
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Pipe Wall Thickness

In more highly populated areas, stronger, thicker steel is used to provide an additional margin of safety.
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Protective Coating

Protective coatings are applied at the mill and on on-site to prevent
moisture from coming into contact with the metal. Any time a
pipeline is excavated, company personnel inspect the pipeline and
coating for evidence of damage or corrosion.
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High Tensile Strength Steel

At steel rolling mills, where pipe is fabricated, pipeline
representatives carefully inspect the pipe to ensure quality meets or
exceeds
both federal and industry-wide standards.
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In-Line Inspections

Internal, electronic inspection devices, called smart pigs, are used
to detect any anomalies. Slight changes in the pipe's steel wall
thickness can be identified with this sophisticated tool.
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Cleaning Pigs

Cleaning pigs are used to help prevent internal corrosion.
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100% Weld X-Ray

All of the welds linking the pipe joints are x-rayed to ensure integrity.
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