Source Data
PHMSA collects data and provides information and analyses of pipeline infrastructure under its authority. PHMSA's incident data access files can be downloaded free of charge. The agency uses this information to create a baseline for evaluating programs, increase safety awareness, motivate corrective actions, set priorities, and target public education programs.
Annual Report Data from Gas Distribution, Gas Gathering, Gas Transmission, Hazardous Liquids, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Underground Natural Gas Storage (UNGS) Facility Operators
Operators are required to submit annual reports to PHMSA. Reports include information such as total pipeline mileage, facilities, commodities transported, mileage by material, and installation dates.
Incident / Accident Data from Gas Distribution, Gas Gathering, Gas Transmission, Hazardous Liquids, LNG, and UNGS Operators
Operators of UNGS facilities, LNG plants and gas and hazardous liquid pipelines are required to submit reports to PHMSA within 30 days of an incident or accident (49 CFR Parts 191, 195). Reports include incident times and locations, injury and/ or fatality counts, commodity spilled/ gas released, causes of failure, evacuation procedures, and other relevant information.
- Operator Submission – Incident report data submitted to PHMSA by pipeline operators since 1970. Includes Gravity HL, Reporting-Regulated-Only HL Gathering, and Type R Gas Gathering.
- Flagged Files – Incident report data submitted to PHMSA by pipeline operators plus data needed to replicate the pipeline incident trends. Excludes Gravity HL, Reporting-Regulated-Only HL Gathering, and Type R Gas Gathering.
Leading Indicators - SRCR and Integrity Assurance (formerly IM) Notifications
PHMSA tracks Safety-Related Condition Reports (SRCR) and Integrity Assurance (formerly IM) Notifications submitted by operators to monitor the effectiveness of integrity programs and safety management systems before accidents, damages, or failures happen. PHMSA regulations include several exemptions from SRCR reporting. These exemptions limit the usefulness of SRCR as a leading indicator.
Mechanical Fitting Failure Data from Gas Distribution Operators
Starting in 2011, PHMSA began collecting Mechanical Fitting Failure (MFF) reports on form PHMSA F-7100.1-2. In the Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform rule (PHMSA 2018-0046-0063), PHMSA ended the MFF information collection to ease regulatory burdens on the construction, maintenance, and operation of gas distribution systems without adversely affecting safety. The effective date of the rule was March 21, 2021. PHMSA understands from analyzing MFF report forms received over the last decade that the purposes of this reporting requirement have been realized: PHMSA's analysis of data from MFF reports confirmed its expectations regarding MFF characteristics and causes, and pipeline operators have become much more sensitive to MFFs. While individual MFF reports are no longer required, the Gas Distribution Annual Report form PHMSA F-7100.1-1 will include a count of mechanical joint failures resulting in a hazardous leak starting with calendar year 2021 reports.
Safety Program Data for Pipeline and LNG Operators
Since 2012, operators of pipelines and liquefied natural gas plants have been required to submit Safety Program data to PHMSA (49 CFR Parts 191.22 and 195.64). Data is submitted for each safety program applicable to the pipeline system type. When Safety Program data changes, operators are required to notify PHMSA of the change.
Pipeline Operators Submitting Drug and Alcohol Management Information Systems (DAMIS) Reports
PHMSA regulations in 49 CFR Part 199 require operators of pipelines, liquefied natural gas plants, and underground natural gas storage facilities to submit data to the DOT DAMIS. Operators with less than 50 covered employees are required to submit once every three years, not annually. Click on the link below to see the pipeline operators who have reported to DAMIS in recent years.
Last updated: Wednesday, August 2, 2023