Pipeline Program


Signal Hill Petroleum Pipelines in Your Community

According to National Transportation Safety Board statistics, pipelines are the safest method of transporting petroleum products. Pipelines transport two-thirds of all the crude oil and refined products in the United States. As evidence, a recent risk analysis of Signal Hill Petroleum’s shipping crude oil pipelines resulted in a low-risk assessment. Pipelines are an essential component of our nation’s infrastructure that supplies the energy and vital resources to help maintain our everyday life and quality of living.

Signal Hill Petroleum operates pipelines in the Cities of Long Beach and Signal Hill. Operations extend approximately from the intersection of Lakewood Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway to the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and the 405 freeway. Most of the pipelines are small diameter flowlines that transport produced water with a small amount of crude oil. Signal Hill Petroleum also operates natural gas lines that are typically under vacuum (negative pressure) during normal operations. Additionally, there are some high pressure lines that transport produced water to injection wells. Finally, Signal Hill Petroleum operates two relatively short U.S. Federal DOT regulated crude oil lines

Only federal D.O.T. pipelines are shown on the map and locations are approximate. Pipelines not regulated by the Federal DOT are not shown. Also historic inactive pipelines are not shown.

Pipeline Safety Depends on All of Us

Most pipelines are located underground and are not visible. Accident prevention measures include the One Call system, 24 hour-a-day monitoring/damage prevention, and public awareness programs. Although Signal Hill Petroleum conducts a rigorous program of pipeline maintenance, accident prevention can be assisted by members of the public, contractors, and city officials.

If you are a homeowner, excavator, or developer, you can help prevent pipeline emergencies. Damage to pipelines from excavation-related activities, even if very minor, is a leading cause of pipeline accidents. If you are not aware that a pipeline runs through your property, check for pipeline markers posted nearby on your property or in your neighborhood and check your property records at your city or county clerk’s office.

Pipeline Markers

Pipeline markers are located at road, railroad, and navigable waterway crossings. Markers are also posted along the pipeline right-of-way and sometimes in the middle of the road. The markers may only show the approximate location of buried pipelines. Markers will display the following:
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  • The material transported in the pipeline
  • The name of the pipeline operator
  • A telephone number where the operator can be reached in the event of an emergency

Call Before You Dig

The Plan is Simple

  • Call the Southern California Underground Service Alert
    • (DigAlert – 8-1-1 OR 1-800-227-2600) One Call Center at least two working days before excavation is scheduled to begin.
  • Wait the required amount of time.
  • Trained technicians will mark the location of the pipeline at no cost to you.
  • Respect the line markers.
  • Dig with care!
Signs of a Petroleum Product Release from a Pipeline

Signal Hill Petroleum makes it a priority to prevent the release of crude oil or brine water. However, on the rare occasion where there is a release, the following will help you identify a discharge:

Sight - A pool of liquid on the ground near a pipeline, a rainbow sheen on water, a dense white cloud or fog over a pipeline, or discolored vegetation.

Sound - An unusual noise coming from the pipeline, like a hissing or roaring sound.

Smell - An unusual chemical odor such as gas or oil.

If you think you have spotted a release in the area of Signal Hill Petroleum’s operations please call:

Signal Hill Petroleum’s 24-hr emergency numbers:

24-hr Plant Operator: (562) 824-1842

24-hr Answering Service: (562) 733-1480

What to Do if a Leak Occurs
  • Leave the leak area and any equipment immediately, upwind of the area.
  • From a safe location, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency response number and the pipeline company (if known). Call collect, if needed, and give your name, phone number, a description of the leak and its location. If it is Signal Hill Petroleum’s area of operation, call our 24-hr emergency number noted above.
  • Warn others to stay away.
What NOT to Do if a Leak Occurs
  • Do not touch, breathe, or make contact with leaking liquids.
  • Do not light a match, start an engine, use a telephone, switch on/off light switches or do anything that may create a spark.
  • Do not drive into a leak or vapor cloud area.
  • Do not attempt to extinguish any pipeline fire that may start.
  • Do not attempt to operate valves.

For more information about pipelines, visit www.digalert.org, www.pipeline101.com or www.ops.dot.gov

To view a list of pipeline operators in your area, visit www.npms.rspa.dot.go