Pipeline Easement

• The effect of the pipeline easement is measured by the market but the impact range could be nominal to substantial. It could be as little as 50% of the easement land value, or up to 30% or more of the whole property value.

• Compensation may have been determined at the time the easement was negotiated. Some states allow just compensation to be in the form of an annual royalty payment instead of a onetime purchase, and this royalty goes with the land.

• There is always the risk of a pipeline leak. If there’s a leak, natural gas can asphyxiate you within minutes. Health reports state that breathing such gas is harmful to your health, especially on a prolonged exposure basis.

• The typical diameter of a gas transmission pipeline would range from 6” to 42”. For the specific measurements of the pipeline on your property, review the easement document or call the pipeline’s company.

• Natural gas is the gas state of the substance which is undetectable by smell, sight or feel. Sometimes, natural gas has an odorant added to make a leak detectable, but it’s rarely added to gas in transmission lines. The gas is transported under high pressure. The pressure rating and odorant information can be requested from the gas company.

• Any break or explosion would be catastrophic in comparison since the cutoff values typically are miles apart, hence the volume of gas being exposed is much greater than any other means of transportation.

• Gas line accidents and incidents are done on a self reporting basis. There is evidence of leaks going unreported and off the radar to the public exposure due to these reporting guidelines. The US DOT Pipeline Safety rules requires a gas company to report an accident only if there is a loss of life, severe injury to a person, or $50,000 of property damage.

Source: http://www.forensic-appraisal.com/gas_pipelines_q_a