Natural gas is a colorless, odorless fuel that is lighter than air. Because natural gas can not be detected on its own, local utilities add a harmless odorant to help consumers smell gas should a leak occur. However, odorant is added at only certain places along the pipeline, so you may not always be able to detect a leak by smell.

There are several other ways to detect a leak:
• A hissing sound
• Dirt being blown or thrown into the air
• Water being blown into the air at a pond, creek or river
• Dead grass
• Fire apparently coming from the ground or burning above the ground
• Dry spot in a moist field

With the passage of the Pipeline Safety Integrity Act of 2002 (PSIA), the United States Congress mandated that specific requirements be implemented for ensuring the integrity of liquid and natural gas pipeline systems throughout the United States. This legislation, and subsequent regulations codified by the US Department of Transportation’s (DOT), require pipeline operators to develop programs to improve how they manage the integrity of their pipeline systems.

Southern Star has developed its Integrity Management Program (IMP) to more effectively perform safety related activities such as testing and inspections, repairs, and maintenance of the pipeline system. Furthermore, our program is critical in determining the prioritization and timeline of pipeline integrity work while also standardizing the manner in which Southern Star continually monitors and documents the work associated with the integrity of the pipeline, specifically within High Consequence Areas (HCAs).

Southern Star’s IMP (Integrity Management Program) includes the following elements:

• Identification of High Consequence Areas
• Baseline Assessment Plan & Performing Integrity Assessment
• Remediating Conditions
• Continual Evaluation and Assessment
• Preventive & Mitigative Measures
• Performance Plan
• Management of Change
• Quality Assurance
• Internal & External Communications

Southern Star is committed to continuing to operate safe and reliable pipelines.  Senior Management has approved, and fully supports, the processes and procedures contained in our IMP and has directed its employees to meet the goals and objectives of the program.

To All Toolkit Users:

This toolkit outlines the standards and procedures to be followed when planning land use development on or near Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline (Southern Star) rights - of - way.

The handbook is intended for use by city and county planners, engineers, developers, land surveyors, and anyone involved in the initial stages of land development. If Southern Star is included in the initial planning stages, project delays can be avoided and safe development practices in the vicinity of pipelines can be attained.

The toolkit is designed to make you aware of the most common standards and procedures Southern Star typically requires to protect its facilites in areas of changing land use. However, each proposed development or activity requires a case-specific evaluation by a qualified Southern Star representative. Again, the sooner you involve Southern Star in your project, the better.

Land Use Development and Right - Of - Way Handbook (pdf)
Use of SSC Land Use Development Handbook (pdf)
Standard Width of Right - Of - Way (pdf)
Timber Bridge Pg. 1 (pdf)
Timber Bridge Pg. 2 (pdf)
Overhead Power Lines (pdf)
Underground Power & Fiber Optic (pdf)
Foreign Pipeline Crossing (pdf)
Underground Phone and Cable (pdf)
Standard Road Crossing (pdf)
Special Road Crossing (pdf)
Bored Utility Crossing (pdf)
Underground Electric & Fiber Optic Crossings (pdf)