Abandonment

Abandonment In Place

A pipeline company may request authorization for a pipeline to be “abandoned in place.” In this case, the pipeline is physically separated from its source of gas and is no longer maintained. The pipeline is sealed at both ends and left in the ground. A company may revert the easement back to the affected property owners; in certain cases where multiple pipelines exist in the same corridor, the company may continue to hold the easements and maintain the right-of-way according to its vegetation maintenance practices. 

Can the pipeline be used after abandonment?

In some cases a pipeline company may ask to abandon a pipeline for use as a natural gas transportation line, but reserve the right to convert that line to another use, such as the transportation of crude oil or other petroleum products. Easements agreements affected by conversion transactions may transfer to the new operator. 

If the pipeline is being abandoned will it be removed from my property? 

The Commission may decide there are environmental or other conditions that should determine the disposition of the pipeline. If not, the easement agreement that you or previous owners of the land signed may stipulate whether the pipeline is to be removed. You may also come to some agreement with the company on what they will do with the pipeline. Usually, above-ground facilities are removed.

If a company abandons a pipeline, can it keep an easement on my property?

 It depends on the terms of the easement agreement and may be subject to negotiation between the landowner and the pipeline company. If there is more than one pipeline, the pipeline company will keep the easement

Will I be notified if abandonment is proposed?

You will probably be notified by the company if it proposes to relinquish the easement as part of the abandonment and the easement is not being transferred to another company. Otherwise, you may be notified by the Commission as part of the environmental analysis of the project.