Pipeline Security
Transportation Sector Network Management
Mission
The Pipeline Security Division within our Office of Transportation Sector Network Management (TSNM) has one clear mission – to enhance the security preparedness of the nation's hazardous liquid and natural gas pipeline systems.
To accomplish this, the division performs several key functions, including:
- Developing security programs and conducting analysis to maintain pipeline and domain awareness with particular focus on critical systems and infrastructure;
- Identifying industry best practices and lessons learned; and,
- Maintaining a dynamic modal network through effective communications with the pipeline industry and government stakeholders.
The Pipeline System Landscape in the U.S.
The national pipeline system is an extensive mode of transportation with unique infrastructure security characteristics and requirements. Virtually all the critical pipeline infrastructure is owned or operated by private entities. There are:
- 161,189 miles of hazardous liquid pipelines operated by over 200 operators
- 309,503 miles of natural gas transmission pipelines operated by over 700 operators
- 1.9 million miles of natural gas distribution pipelines operated by over 1300 operators
2007 International Pipeline Security Forum
The 2007 International Pipeline Security Forum will be held on October 23, 24 & 25, 2007 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. October 23 is an optional day with a full-day tour of Natural Resources Canada's scientific research laboratories (explosives, seismic, and pipeline integrity) available for those interested. The agenda is currently being developed and the draft agenda is below. In addition, information on registering for the Forum as well as for making hotel reservations is below.
- Forum Agenda (pdf, 434Kb)
- Registration Form and Hotel Reservation Information (pdf, 1.6 Mb)
Pipeline Security Awareness CD & Brochure
Pipeline Security Division Initiatives
Corporate Security Review (CSR) Program — Conducted by the Pipeline Security Division staff, the CSR Program is an on-site security review with a pipeline company. CSRs help establish working relationships with key security representatives in the pipeline industry as well as provide TSA with a general understanding of a pipeline operator's security planning and implementation. Data obtained from CSRs aid in establishing a baseline against which to evaluate minimum security standards in the pipeline industry and identify coverage gaps. CSRs help to identify and share smart practices observed throughout the industry. Over 60 pipeline CSRs have been completed since the start of the program.
Cross Border Pipeline Assessments – These assessments are required under the Smart Border Accord and the Security and Prosperity Partnership Program, and four cross-border pipeline systems have been assessed by joint U.S. and Canadian teams.
Pipeline Security Guidelines – The Pipeline Security Division reviews and revises, as appropriate, existing government pipeline security guidelines.
2006 International Pipeline Security Forum – The Pipeline Security Division hosted the 2006 International Pipeline Security Forum in Chicago on November 1-2, 2006. This forum, conducted in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, enhanced government and industry pipeline security domain awareness and provided opportunities for discussion of major pipeline security issues, both domestic and international. Over 150 people registered for the forum, and attendees included representatives and officials from the U.S. and Canadian governments; pipeline related associations and pipeline owners and operators from the U.S. and Canada; and representatives from the security, intelligence and law enforcement communities.
Pipeline Security Stakeholder Conference Calls – Monthly stakeholder conference calls allow the Pipeline Security Division to pass on and discuss pipeline security items of interest with pipeline industry officials and other government representatives. The conference calls also provide pipeline security stakeholders and security partners with the opportunity to ask questions on topics or issues of interest to them. These stakeholder conference calls are chaired by the Pipeline Security Division General Manager, and guest speakers are often brought in to make presentations and discuss important issues, topics and programs that pipeline industry officials may be interested in.
Information Sharing and Interagency Coordination – The Pipeline Security Division participates in the Transportation Government Coordinating Council (GCC), the Energy GCC, and the Oil & Natural Gas (ONG) Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) Joint Sector Committee to ensure both interagency and cross-jurisdictional coordination with other governmental departments and agencies and to engage with private sector security partners in joint critical infrastructure protection discussions and activities.
TSNM Pipeline Security Senior Staff
Jack Fox, General Manager
Jim Sharp, Deputy General Manager
Steven Froehlich, Stakeholder Relations Branch Chief
Buddy Secor, Programs Branch Chief
Jim Taylor, Threats, Vulnerabilities & Consequences Branch Chief
Mike Gillenwater, Policy and Plans Branch Chief
Government Partners
- Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety
- Department of Energy's Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration (ISER) Division
Industry Partners
- American Gas Association (AGA)
- Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL)
- American Public Gas Association (APGA)
- American Petroleum Institute (API)
- Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA)
Documents
- Pipeline Modal Annex to the Transportation Systems Sector-Specific Plan (pdf, 275Kb)
- TSA-PHMSA Annex to the DHS-DOT Memorandum of Understanding (pdf, 293Kb)
- Executive Order on Strengthening Surface Transportation Security (pdf, 23.5Kb)
- HSPD-7: Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection (pdf, 42Kb)
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