Pipelines, Pipelines Everywhere: What Landowners Need to Know

Across Pennsylvania, pipeline companies are actively approaching landowners with Pipeline Right of Way agreements. These agreements grant companies permission to construct pipelines on private property, even if there is no oil or gas beneath the surface. Before deciding whether to sign such an agreement, it’s essential to understand the key details.

Why Are Pipelines Being Built?

Pipeline companies are creating a vast network to transport natural gas from production sites to distribution networks, a process known as “midstream operations.” Once the gas reaches the distribution network, it is sold to the broader market for uses like heating homes. If a company proposes a pipeline on your land, it’s crucial to first determine what type of pipeline they intend to construct.

Understanding Pipeline Types

Natural gas pipelines generally fall into two categories: gathering lines and distribution lines.

• Gathering Lines

These pipelines collect gas from wellheads and deliver it to larger pipelines, known as distribution lines.

• Distribution Lines

These pipelines transport gas to end consumers. Typically owned and operated by public utilities, such as UGI, distribution pipelines often come with the right of eminent domain, allowing the utility to construct the pipeline even without the landowner’s consent.

Protect Your Interests

If you’ve been approached by a pipeline company with a Pipeline Right of Way agreement, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Contact The O’Brien Law Group to ensure you understand your rights and negotiate the terms to protect your property and future.