US Proposes New Regulations for Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Safety

Jan 15 (Reuters) – A U.S. regulator on Wednesday proposed new rules to strengthen safety requirements for carbon dioxide and hazardous liquid pipelines, addressing the growing adoption of carbon capture technologies to combat global warming. The new regulations will bolster existing standards and, for the first time, set norms for transporting carbon dioxide in a gaseous state via pipeline, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced.

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Strengthening Pipeline Safety

The U.S. anticipates an increase in carbon dioxide pipelines nationwide as carbon capture and sequestration technologies gain traction in efforts to fight global warming. One proposed rule mandates more detailed vapor dispersion analyses to better protect public safety and the environment in the event of a pipeline failure.

"I have learned firsthand from affected communities in Mississippi and across America why we need stronger CO2 pipeline safety standards," said Tristan Brown, PHMSA Deputy Administrator.

Learning from Past Incidents

In 2020, Denbury's 24-inch Delta Pipeline ruptured in Satartia, Mississippi, releasing thousands of barrels of CO2. The incident caused local evacuations and led to 45 hospitalizations, highlighting the risks associated with CO2 pipeline operations.

Liquid CO2 vaporizes upon release into the atmosphere. Its vapor is 1.53 times heavier than air and displaces oxygen, posing potential asphyxiation risks to humans and animals, according to PHMSA.

In 2023, Denbury reached a settlement with PHMSA, agreeing to a penalty of approximately $2.8 million, nearly $1 million less than the initial proposal in 2022.

For more information on PHMSA's proposed regulations, visit their website.