Pipelink organised an emergency drill on one of its underground propylene pipelines in November 2023 in collaboration with the City of Antwerp’s Emergency Planning Department. During the drill, a leak was simulated in a propylene pipeline, at a location with several underground pipes. Emergency drills like this are essential for the professional and safe management of high-pressure pipelines.
Maximum preparation for a leaking propylene pipeline
To be optimally prepared for an emergency, it is important that pipeline owners and operators, emergency services, municipalities and other stakeholders are familiar with each other and know what to expect from one another. Pipelink therefore proposed an emergency drill to the city of Antwerp and the emergency services.
Under the supervision of the emergency planning coordinator and the city’s Emergency Planning Department, Pipelink worked out a comprehensive scenario around a propylene pipeline leak. The owners and operators of adjacent pipelines were also involved as well as the Antwerp Fire department, Antwerp Police department, Civil Protection department and medical services.
Realistic drill with operational command post
The emergency drill took place on 29 November 2023, on grounds of the Antwerp Police department. A full operational command post was set up as would be the case in a real crisis. No operational actions such as cordoning off roads or evacuating people were undertaken. All parties worked together in a highly committed and realistic way, with one goal in mind: to get the incident under control. We look back on a successful drill!
Practice makes perfect
As such emergency drills are crucial to manage high-pressure transmission lines professionally, Pipelink organises small and larger drills at regular intervals. We always involve other emergency rescue areas and municipalities so that as many stakeholders as possible benefit from our emergency drills.
We would once again like to thank all participants for their active contribution. In particular, the City of Antwerp’s Emergency Planning Department for the organisation and their expertise. Also, co-pipeline owners and operators BPO-NATO – Borealis – Fluxys – INEOS and PPS.
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