1. Call 811
2. Wait until all buried utilities are marked with paint and flags
3. Dig with care

Prior to digging or any excavation activity call 811. The One-Call operator will want to know where your activity will occur and what type of activity you will be doing. The state of Texas requires notice at least 48 hours before any digging activities begin.
For more Texas One-Call and Railroad Commission of Texas information please visit:

www.call811.com/state-specific.aspx

How to Respond to Damaging, Disturbing or Nicking a Pipeline

Natural Gas Characteristics
Natural gas is a colorless, tasteless, odorless and lighter than air. It is extremely flammable and easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.

Natural Gas Leak Recognition
Smell: Natural gas is primarily odorless in gathering lines but it can have an unusual odor or hydrocarbon smell.
Sight: Blowing dirt, fire coming from ground, dry or frozen spots, dead vegetation within a green area or water bubbling in a pond or creek
Hear: Listen for a hissing, blowing or roaring sound.

How You Should Respond to and Report a Pipeline Emergency

Do's and Don'ts

The following guidelines are designed to ensure your safety and the safety of those in the area if a natural gas pipeline leak is suspected or detected.

• DO Leave the area immediately, moving upwind of the product release
• DO notify emergency response personnel by calling 911 and Valence at 281-359-3659.
• DO NOT breathe the released product or make contact with the product or pipeline components
• DO NOT create any sparks with matches, lighters, switches, battery powered devices, etc.
• DO NOT start or continue operating equipment in the area
• DO NOT drive a vehicle near the area of the release
• DO NOT operate any pipeline valves. Leave all valve operation to pipeline company personnel.
• DO NOT put out any fires that are burning at the pipeline

Safety Information for Excavators

Dig and Excavate Safely
Do not dig or excavate prior to the worksite being marked. Respect the location marks. Use digging and excavation best practices to ensure safety.
How to Respond to Damaging, Disturbing or Nicking a Pipeline
If a pipeline, distribution main or service line suffers any level of damage, scrapes, scratches or disturbance during your digging activity contact the pipeline operator immediately.

Natural Gas Emergency Response Preparedness Tools

There are many tools available for Emergency Responders to be prepared and understand pipeline and utility incident risks. In addition, having coordinated and prepared emergency response plans with pipeline operators leads to a more effective response. Please contact your local pipeline operator(s) for more specific information.

• PHMSA’s Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
  Access information about the ERG at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/library/erg

Pipeline Emergencies Training

• Access information about Pipeline Emergencies at www.pipelineemergencies.com
• Produced by PHMSA and the National Association of State Fire Marshals and provides an overview of pipeline operations to meet the needs of emergency responders.

Natural Gas Leak Response

Effective communication and coordination between emergency responders
and the pipeline/utility operator is important for successful management of pipeline incidents.

For an effective response please deploy the following actions:

1. Approach with caution from upwind/crosswind location
2. Securing the area and perimeter of the incident by restricting traffic and if necessary informing people in the area to evacuate or stay inside their homes
3. Employ National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command Center (ICS)
4. For a gas release incident that has not resulted in fire, take steps to prevent ignition of gas vapors, such as rerouting traffic and reminding people in the area not to smoke or use electronic/battery powered devices
5. For a gas release incident that has resulted in a fire, do not extinguish the fire at its source since extinguishing the fire at its source could result in the development of a vapor cloud that could ignite. In this case, emergency responders should allow the fire at the source to continue burning while focusing on preventing the fire from spreading
6. Contact Valence at 281-359-3659 for further emergency information.

NEVER

• Never attempt to extinguish a gas fire; this could prolong/worsen incident/cause another leak in the pipeline.
• Never attempt to operate pipeline valves; this could prolong/worsen incident/cause another leak in the pipeline.

• Basic information can be accessed including operator name, pipeline diameter and commodities transported including pipeline location.

Pipeline and Information Planning Alliance (PIPA)
The Pipeline and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) is a department of the PHMSA and has the goal of reducing risks and improve the safety of affected communities and pipeline operation through a set of recommended practices related to land use.

• These recommended practices can be accessed at

http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/pipa/LandUsePlanning.htm

For more information about Natural Gas, Natural Gas Associations, 811 and damage prevention tips please visit these websites:

Valence Operating Company: www.valenceoperating.com
811: www.call811.com
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA): www.ingaa.org
American Public Gas Association (APGA): www.apga.org
Pipeline Emergencies: www.pipelineemergencies.com
Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Association (PHMSA)
http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm
Pipeline and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA)
http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/pipa/LandUsePlanning.htm
Common Ground Alliance (CGA): www.commongroundalliance.com
Pipeline 101: www.pipeline101.com
National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS): www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov
Railroad Commission of Texas: www.rrc.state.tx.us

Our Commitment To You

• Carefully designing and planning the safe construction of each project;
• Using pipe that is inspected and tested at the factory to comply with both federal and industry standards;
• Inspecting the integrity of the pipe during the installation;
• Testing the completed installation at pressures higher than its normal operating pressure prior to placing it into service.