Commitment to Safety

The Ohio Valley Connector Expansion (OVCX) Project will be operated by Equitrans, L.P. – a wholly owned subsidiary of Equitrans Midstream Corporation, based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. At Equitrans, safety is our #1 priority. Equitrans is dedicated to operating all of its facilities safely and protecting the public, employees, contractors and the environment.

Safe Pipeline Construction

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will provide regulatory oversight of the construction of the Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project. The Project will be constructed and operated pursuant to 49 CFR 192. A copy of these regulations can be accessed at www.ecfr.gov

Equitrans will:

Comply with all U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulations during construction. For more information on these regulations please visit PHMSA’s website at: www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline

  • Strictly adhere to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations to ensure the safety of personnel working on the project.
  • Work with trained and experienced inspectors who will carefully monitor pipeline construction to ensure compliance with safety standards and construction specifications.
  • Use quality steel pipe in the construction of the project, including adding protective coatings to the pipe during manufacturing. All pipe will be carefully inspected before it is installed to ensure it meets quality standards.
  • Inspect and test all pipeline field welds.
  • Once construction is complete, carefully inspect and rigorously test the pipeline before using it to transport natural gas.

Safe Pipeline Operations

Equitrans will:

  • Operate the Project in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation and FERC regulations and conduct regular inspections to ensure pipeline integrity.
  • Patrol the Project right-of-way at regular intervals to enhance safety and monitor activities on or near the right of way that could impact safety.
  • Monitor the Project 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year using sophisticated computerized systems and around-the-clock personnel.
  • Regularly inspect and maintain all pipeline equipment such as valves, drips and regulators.
  • Incorporate cathodic protection which combines advanced pipe coating techniques and test stands which enable monitoring of the condition of the pipe.
  • Actively participate in damage prevention programs that promote the use of one-call notification systems for companies and individuals digging near pipelines.
  • Foster relationships with local emergency response agencies to ensure the highest level of preparedness in the unlikely event of an emergency.
  • Welcome its neighbors to be partners in safety, and uses public awareness to better educate those in the communities where Equitrans operates.

Additional Safety Information