Call Before You Dig!

811 is a new federally-mandated number designated by the FCC to consolidate all local "Call Before You Dig" numbers and help save lives by minimizing damages to underground utilities. One easy phone call to 811 starts the process to get your underground piplines and utility lines marked for FREE. When you call 811 from anywhere in the country, your call will be routed to your state One-Call Center. Once your underground lines have been marked for your project, you will know the approximate location of your pipelines and utility lines, and can dig safely. More information regarding 811 can be found at www.call811.com

Maintaining safety and integrity of pipelines

AOG works hard to maintain the integrity and safety of our pipeline systems. We stay in touch with industry and government organizations to monitor potential threats and study new technologies that will help keep our facilities as safe and secure as possible. AOG will operate, and maintain the facilities in accordance with applicable Federal pipeline Safety standards established by the Department of Transportation. These regulations are intended to protect the public and the environment and to ensure pipeline integrity and safety. Some segments along transmission pipelines have been designated as High Consequence Areas (HCA's) and supplemental hazard and assessment and prevention programs (called Integrity Management Programs) have been developed.

AOG operates natural gas pipelines ranging from ¾-inch to 12-inch in diameter and at pressures from ounces to several hundred PSIG. An odorant is added to all AOG pipelines and facilities. AOG serves Crawford, Sebastian, Franklin, Yell, and Scott counties in Arkansas and Sequoyah, Latimer, Haskell, Le Flore, and Delaware counties in Oklahoma.

How can you tell where a pipeline is located?

he U.S. Department of Transportation requires the use of signs to indicate the location of underground pipelines. Markers like these are located at road, railroad, and navigable waterway crossings. Markers are also posted along the pipeline right-of-way.

The markers will say "Warning Gas Pipeline" and will have AOG’s Name and Phone Number where we can be reached in the event of an emergency.

Are pipeline markers always placed on top of the pipeline?

Markers only indicate the approximate location of the underground pipeline. They are normally not placed directly on top of the pipeline.

Be Aware, Make the Call

Natural Gas is an important source of energy for America’s homes and businesses. Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation (AOG) is privileged to provide energy to our customers in Arkansas and Oklahoma by transporting natural gas through a network of underground pipelines. Year after year, pipelines prove to be one of the safest and most reliable modes of energy transportation. AOG is dedicated to the continued safe operation of our pipelines for your protection and the protection of the environment. We are committed to an outstanding safety record. We maintain 24- hour surveillance and perform routine inspections, computer monitoring, corrosion protection, maintenance/ testing programs, and employee training.

AOG will operate and maintain the facilities in accordance with applicable Federal pipeline safety standards established by the Department of Transportation. These regulations are intended to protect the public and the environment and to ensure pipeline integrity and safety.

AOG is a long-standing operator of pipeline systems and insures that our operating personnel are fully trained. AOG maintains communications with local emergency management, such as fire and law enforcement agencies. This will ensure effective cooperation in emergency response training and drills. In addition, AOG will continue to develop and maintain public education programs that enhance public awareness and encourage cooperation in damage prevention programs.

However, Pipeline safety also depends on YOU. Your help is vital in observing conditions along our pipeline right-of-way. If you see anything unusual, immediately report it so that we can ensure continued safe operation.

The natural gas pipeline industry is dedicated to safe operations. Achieving this goal depends mainly on the success of efforts aimed at preventing damage to pipelines caused by digging in or near rights-of-way.

One of the greatest single challenges to safe pipeline operations is the accidental damage caused by excavation, construction, farming activities or even homeowner construction and maintenance.

“One-Call” is a free service to inform underground utilities or pipeline owners of any called-in excavation activities that could potentially affect their underground facilities. The facility owner, in turn, provides specific location information to the excavator and marks the underground facility with above-ground APWA (American Public Works Association) color-coded markings.

Some people mistakenly believe that they don't need to contact a one-call center because they think they can tell the precise location of a pipeline by drawing a straight line between right-of-way marker signs. This is a myth for two main reasons:

• Right-of-way markers along a pipeline route or at a grade crossing only show the approximate location of a pipeline because the right-of-way they are marking is much wider than the pipeline. Thus, the markers are not always located precisely over a line. (Nor do the markers indicate the depth of the line.)
• A pipeline may curve or make an angle underground as it runs between markers in order to avoid some natural or manmade feature such as a historical site or another underground facility such as a television cable.

Using the “One-Call” system when digging around a Natural Gas pipeline, or any other underground feature, is the only way to determine the true location of a pipeline. Even after the area has been marked, any digging around the marks should be carefully conducted to precisely locate the facility. Besides - calling before you dig is the law in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

DIG SAFELY stresses four key reminders:

• Call Before You Dig
• Await the Required Time
• Respect the Marks
• Excavate (Dig) with Care

Before starting, everyone who digs must call the local “One-Call” center to tell them when and where they will be digging.