The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is being asked to approve an increase in the amount of Bakken oil and its chemical additives to be pumped through an existing pipeline. Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) owns the pipeline – I own a few feet – and the pumps which push the oil along. The ICC is being told the increase in pressure won’t add an additional risk for leaks. To increase the pressure more, pumps will be required and a few additional maintenance people will be hired plus some additional real estate taxes in pump areas.

I worked in the oil fields in my first work life so my experience is leaks occur as the line is first activated and with age. Whatever product is put through a pipeline will erode some of it away. Any place where the flow is diverted wears faster so any bend underground or at pumps is at a greater risk. Increasing flow means faster and greater wear with age. Also, my experience is just because it didn’t leak at one pressure doesn’t mean it won’t leak at a higher one.

ETP says its sensors will detect a leak and shut down the pumps immediately. I believe that is correct on a huge leak or a rupture but I doubt it will on fifty gallons each day. That’s why a visual inspection of the route is done periodically. A more usual way is some landowner making an irate call. ETP would then send someone out to look at the soggy mess. This might take two or several hours depending on the location before the call to shut the pumps off and closing valves.

Repair of the line would begin as soon as possible and ideally clean-up would immediately take place without permanent damage to the environment. My experience tells me if I believe that, my next purchase should be swamp land. I think the ICC should tell ETP NO!