API Announces Winners of Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards

WASHINGTON, August 18, 2020 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced the winners of the 2019 Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards. The award recognizes one small, medium and large operator, selected by their peers and shown to be leaders in fostering a safety culture; proactive sharing and learning of leading practices; and participation in API policy and technical work, including the implementation of Recommended Practice (RP) 1173.

“Safety is one of API’s guiding principles, and these operators have shown tremendous leadership through their continuous commitment to improvement,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “Strengthening safety culture and enhancing pipeline integrity truly stand out in our quest toward zero incidents and industry-wide safety, as well as the safety of surrounding communities and the environment, and we’re very pleased to be sharing this award with these operators.”

CITGO Pipeline won the distinguished safety award in the small operator category. “Safety in all areas of our operations is a CITGO core value and is ingrained in our corporate culture,” CITGO President and CEO Carlos Jordá said. “So we are truly honored to be recognized by our peers for our ongoing pipeline safety efforts. With this award we remain committed both to our own continuous improvement and to sharing best practices so that together with our peers we can make our industry even safer for our people and the environment. Our communities expect this and so do we.”

Colonial Pipeline won the distinguished pipeline safety award in the medium operator category. “The Colonial Pipeline team is honored to receive this prestigious award,” President and CEO of Colonial Pipeline Company Joe Blount said. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it is awarded by our peers – and because it goes beyond safety performance to include the broader perspective of industry leadership. At Colonial, we strive for excellence in everything we do – and our commitment to safety is a great example of that effort. Colonial’s holistic view on safety includes our dedication to day-to-day safe operations for our employees, our customers, the communities we serve, and the environment. It also includes our support of, and participation in, the energy industry – out of respect for the important role we all play for the nation. I am so proud of the One Colonial Team and their award-winning safety performance. In true Colonial spirit, we are already challenging ourselves to 'Raise the Bar' and continuously improve our safety results.”

Marathon Pipe Line won the distinguished pipeline safety award in the large operator category. “They’re out there giving their all, focused on our mission to safely and reliably operate pipelines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – and they’re making a difference,” Marathon Pipe Line President Shawn Lyon said. “No matter what, even during this pandemic, they always answer the higher calling to be guardians of public safety. The safety of those in the communities where we operate – that’s at the heart of everything Marathon Pipe Line does. We’re truly honored by this recognition from our peers. There are so many excellent operators who helped select Marathon Pipe Line, and I’m humbled by their confidence in us.”

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.