What can I do on a piece of property with a buried pipeline?

Our Answer

Al asked this question on Aug. 15, 2017.

Hi Al,

A right-of-way (ROW) is a strip of land, usually between 60 feet and 120 feet wide, containing one or more pipelines.

Rights-of-way allow our workers access for inspection, maintenance, testing, or emergency response. They also identify an area where certain activities are prohibited to protect public safety and the integrity of the pipeline.

For Canadian residents, more information is available here.

For U.S. residents, more information is available here.

Rights-of-way can be identified by pipeline markers, which include the name of the operator, emergency contact info, and the products carried by the pipeline. However, markers should never be used as a reference for the exact location of a pipeline.

Always call before you dig. Find out more information here about the one-call procedure in your area.

Finally, our Public Awareness Program is designed to promote safety around pipelines. Find out more here.