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Landowner FAQ

Overall Questions

What is a Natural Gas Gathering System?

A natural gas gathering system can be made up of pipelines, valves, compressor stations, meter stations, pig launchers/receivers, cathodic protection 

sites and other support facilities. It serves the important function of delivering natural gas from the originating wells to the interstate gas pipeline 

network.

What is the Role of Gathering Systems?

After a well is drilled and completed, natural gas can begin flowing. Gathering pipelines are installed at the well site to carry the raw natural gas to a 

central location where multiple gathering lines come together. A gathering system looks a lot like a spider web but in reality, it’s more like a funnel. 

We try to accumulate or gather enough volume from multiple wells into one central location so we can transport and treat the gas (if necessary) as 

efficiently and with as few facilities as possible.

Depending on the quality of the natural gas stream, some treatment or processing may be needed to remove water and some of the heavier 

hydrocarbons, or natural gas liquids (ethane, propane, butane, etc.) before the gas goes into the interstate transmission pipeline system. Gas that does 

not contain large amounts of these liquids may be transported directly to an interstate pipeline for delivery to local distribution companies and on to 

consumers. Compressors may be used intermittently along the pipeline to keep the gas moving.

Williams currently owns and operates nearly 10,000 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines across the United States and offshore in the Gulf of 

Mexico. These pipelines are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by highly-trained pipeline control specialists using state-of-the-art 

technology.

What Product Is Transported?

Natural gas, primarily made up of methane, is the product transported through gas gathering systems. Along the pipeline route, markers are placed to 

identify the product, operator and emergency telephone number.

What is the Operating Pressure?

The design and operation of gas gathering pipelines are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under the Code of Federal 

Regulations, Part 192. Each gathering pipeline has a maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of a certain number of pounds per square inch 

(psig).

During operation, the overall pressure in the gathering system will fluctuate depending on whether the product is traveling to or from a compressor 

station. The gathering system is most likely to approach the MAOP when it is downstream or going out of a compressor station. After it leaves the 

compressor station, the pressure decreases uniformly along the gathering system.

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What is the Depth of the Pipeline?

The primary portion of a gas gathering system is the pipelines, which are installed underground. The depth of cover is at least 36 inches from the 

surface of the ground to the top of the pipe, with additional cover required at road, railroad and water body crossings as specified in DOT regulations.

There will be short sections of pipe aboveground at compressor stations, block valves and pig launchers/receivers. These aboveground locations are 

fenced for security purposes.

How Did Williams Select the Route?

Many factors go into selecting a gathering system route, including:

• Public safety – choosing a route that takes into account the safety and well being of the public

• Environmental protection – choosing a route that minimizes environmental impacts

• Efficiency – choosing a route that minimizes disturbance, facilitates construction, and makes economic sense

Public consultation is an important component of the route selection, and Williams implements an extensive public outreach program that provides 

several opportunities for landowners and other interested stakeholders to provide input. We welcome your feedback throughout this process.

Land/Farming Questions

How will I be compensated for the pipeline crossing my property?

Williams offers fair compensation to landowners for granting an easement for the installation of the gathering system on your property. When 

applicable, additional compensation will be paid to you for any surface usage or damage/loss you incur during the construction of the gathering 

system. Such damages/losses usually involve crop loss and timber value, for example. Once the pipeline construction is complete, normal 

agricultural activities can resume over the pipeline.

How will I be compensated for crop damage and loss?

Compensation for crops is determined by calculating the crop acreage affected by the construction of the pipeline within the right of way, along with 

yield and value of the crop based on current market prices.

What rights are granted with a pipeline easement?

Essentially, the easement entitles Williams to construct, operate, maintain, inspect and repair the pipeline on the strip of land (the right of way) 

specified in the agreement. It is important that you read the agreement carefully so that you fully understand the rights you are granting to Williams.

What will pipeline construction do to my land?

Specific construction activities will include clearing/grading the land, digging a trench for the pipeline, installing the pipeline, and then restoring the 

land to its pre-construction appearance. The clearing/grading process temporarily clears an area between 75 and 100 feet wide across your property 

along the right of way. After construction is complete it is not uncommon to see where the pipeline runs as it takes some time for native vegetation 

to blend uniformly into the landscape.

What can and can’t I do with my own property as a result of having a pipeline running across it?

You will continue to be able to use and enjoy your property just like you have in the past – any minimal restrictions will be specified in the easement 

agreement. Those restrictions are in place to ensure your safety and the integrity of the pipeline facilities. Examples of those restrictions include 

prohibiting the construction, excavation, drilling, blasting, installing or erecting of any structure within the easement without the prior written 

consent from Williams.

Normal farming equipment can continue to be used on the right of way. However, if you plan to cross with heavy equipment (i.e. bulldozers) or 

excavate near the right of way, we request that you first contact us or your local One-Call service to ensure it is done in a safe manner.

Environmental Questions

How will Williams try to prevent accidents?

Most pipeline-related accidents in the United States are related to third-party encroachments and related damage. To try to prevent that from 

happening, we will:

• Place warning signs along our right of way that will also help identify the physical location of the pipeline

• Participate in state One-Call agencies

• Encourage landowners and excavators to use One-Call services before starting a digging project

• Periodically distribute educational material to residents who live near the pipeline

• Install a system on the pipeline to prevent corrosion (a potential cause of leaks)

• Perform ongoing pipeline maintenance and inspection programs

• Periodically fly over the line to make sure no new activity has been undertaken too close to the pipeline

What happens if the gathering system leaks?

Although we go to great lengths to ensure this never happens, if it does, it is critical that you leave the area immediately. An Emergency Response 

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event of an accidental pipeline release. We routinely communicate and practice emergency response actions as outlined in the Emergency Response 

Plan with local agencies such as fire and sheriff departments just in case such an event ever happens. 

Our pipelines are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a highly-sophisticated pipeline control system. We install many devices along the 

route of the pipeline to sense and ensure the line flow stops automatically if a leak occurs. 

Safety/Security Questions

How do we know the gathering system will be safe? 

Pipelines are generally the safest and most efficient way to move energy products from one point to another. Other traditional modes of transport 

include truck or railcar. Pipeline operators put their reputation on the line every day and work very hard to protect their employees and neighbors. 

Williams has been involved with various aspects of pipeline construction and operation for more than 80 years.

Statistics gathered by the National Transportation Safety Board, a federal agency, indicate that less than one one-hundredth of one percent (.01%) of 

all transportation accidents in the U.S. are related to pipelines.

Can you guarantee that an accident or explosion will never happen?

We will be focused on preventing accidents and maintaining the safety of the pipeline on a daily basis. As the landowner, you can contribute 

significantly to the prevention of accidents in your area by ensuring no one digs near the line and following the guidelines you will be provided. The 

majority of all public injuries caused by pipelines are caused by other party’s excavations that damage (scrape/puncture) the pipeline.

Benefits to Local Economy

How will local economies benefit from pipeline projects?

• Landowners receive payment for right of way access

• During construction, workers require hotels, restaurants and other necessary services

• Local materials are needed, as well as the need for use of buildings and warehouses

• Some local contractors will be hired as sub-contractors

• Some permanent jobs will be created that will lead to the purchase of homes, trucks, cars, etc.

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About Williams

Williams is a trusted name in the natural gas industry. We’ve been in the northeast for more than 50 years with our interstate natural gas pipeline, 

reliably delivering natural gas to heat homes and generate electricity. 

Contact Us

Call us toll-free at (800) Williams or (800) 945-5426 Send us an email.

If you are interested in providing products or services to Williams, please complete our information form.

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