Pipeline Safety. in your community. This brochure contains information to help you be prepared if you ever experience a pipeline problem or hazard.

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1 Pipeline Safety in your community This brochure contains information to help you be prepared if you ever experience a pipeline problem or hazard.

2 Although it is unlikely you will ever experience a pipeline problem or hazard, the information contained in this brochure will help you understand pipeline safety and be prepared should a situation arise. Call before you dig. Characteristics of the product carried in our pipelines. How to identify pipelines. How to recognize a pipeline leak. What to do if you suspect a pipeline leak or suspicious activity. How to find information about pipelines in your area. Call Before you DIG Know what is below: Call 811 before you dig. IT S FREE, AND IT S THE LAW! Calling 811 will start the process of informing owners and operators of underground utilities of your proposed excavation. You are required to call at least 48 hours (exluding weekends and holidays) prior to excavation to allow owners and operators to mark their underground facilities. More information regarding 811 can be found at Pipeline safety and how you can help While pipeline companies can boast of a wonderful safety record, hazards exist and emergencies can occur. A gouge, scrape, dent or even a small crease to an underground pipeline or its coating may cause a leak or a break. In fact, the major cause of pipeline leaks is earth-moving and construction equipment owned by parties other than the pipeline company. The interstate natural gas pipeline industry invests millions of dollars each year in maintenance and construction programs, testing, research, emergency training and public information to ensure public safety. In spite of these efforts, we still need your help and cooperation. You can do your part by becoming familiar with and prepared for potential hazards. What do I need to know about products in the pipeline? WBI Energy Transmission transports natural gas. Natural gas is a non-toxic, colorless and odorless fuel, about one-third lighter than air. Natural gas has a limited flammability range and a high ignition point. But when mixed with air in the right proportions, it can burn or explode with an ignition source. As a safety precaution, odorant is added to make natural gas detectable to the sense of smell.

3 How do I identify your pipelines? Most pipeline right-of-ways are clearly identified with line markers. A pipeline right-ofway is a strip of land usually about 25 to 150 feet wide. This strip of land enables workers to gain access to the buried pipeline for effective surveillance. Restricting building or digging in the right-of-way protects the landowner and the community through which the pipeline passes. The right-of-way can exist in many different kinds of terrain, from river crossings and cultivated fields to urban areas. Pipeline Marker: Pipeline markers are used to notify the public of pipelines located in the area. They also provide the company name, product and contact number Aerial Marker: Patrol airplanes can pinpoint locations along a pipeline using skyward-facing aerial markers like these. Casing Vent Marker: This marker is used where a pipeline, protected by a steel outer casing, passes beneath a roadway, rail line or similar crossing. NOTE: Willful removal or damage of markers is a federal offense and subject to a fine or imprisonment. W GP A R A I N SP I N E G L I N E Some pipelines are not specifically marked but are obvious by the right-of-way. PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY The depth of cover and right-of-way width may vary. How do I know where a pipeline is located? Important facts about pipeline markers and right-of-way: Markers show an approximate location, not an exact location. Signs on the markers contain product information, name of the pipeline company and a telephone number where representatives can always be reached. Since erosion can affect pipeline depth, markers do not indicate how deep the pipeline is buried or how many pipelines are present. Pipelines do not necessarily follow a straight line between markers.

4 How do I recognize a pipeline leak? Use your eyes, your nose and your ears to detect a leak. Look: Dirt being blown or appearing to be thrown into the air. Water bubbling or being blown into the air at a pond, creek or river. Fire coming from the ground or appearing to burn above the ground. Dead or dying vegetation on or near a pipeline right-of-way in an otherwise green area. A dry spot in a moist field. A low-lying, white cloud or fog originating near the pipeline location. Listen: A roaring, blowing or hissing sound coming from the vicinity of the pipeline or a connecting facility. Smell: Any strange or unusual odor, such as sulfur or rotten eggs, in the area of the pipeline. What to do if you suspect a pipeline leak or suspicious activity Leave the leak area immediately, walk into the wind away from possible hazardous fumes. Abandon any equipment being used in or near the area. Your personal safety should be your first concern. Avoid any sources of ignition. For example, do not start an engine, use a telephone (even a cell phone), switch on/off light switches or do anything that may create a spark. From a safe location, call or your local emergency response number and our pipeline emergency number Try to prevent others from entering the area. Do not attempt to extinguish a natural gas fire. Do not attempt to operate any pipeline valves; you may actually make the situation worse. National Pipeline Mapping System The U.S. Department of Transportation s Office of Pipeline Safety developed the National Pipeline Mapping System to provide information on transmission pipelines to the general public. Printable maps can be obtained by ZIP code or by county and state. For information, go to Always call 811 before performing any excavation activities. If you think you might have damaged a pipeline: Call us immediately at This is a 24-hour number. Even a small nick or scratch could result in a rupture now or in the near future!

5 Who we are WBI Energy traces it roots to the 1920s, when short-haul natural gas pipelines were constructed to connect towns in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana to several of Montana s natural gas fields. This gas transmission system was known as the Gas Development Co. and its parent company was Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a predecessor company of the now current MDU Resources Group, Inc. For more history and public awareness information, please visit our website at You may be more familiar with some of our connecting lines such as: Northern Border - Glen Ullin Northern Border - Manning Northern Border - Charbonneau TBI Services - Wind River Kinder Morgan Interstate - Bridger Colorado Interstate Gas - Elk Basin Energy West - Elk Basin MIGC - Recluse SourceGas - Billy Creek Many Islands Pipeline - Portal NorthWestern Energy Warren Saco Tioga Williston Minot Devil s Lake Montana Glendive Dickinson Bismarck Cleveland Miles City Baker North Dakota Billings Sheridan South Dakota Wyoming Worland Gillette Rapid City WBI Energy Pipeline Interconnecting Pipeline