Explorer Pipeline
Explorer Pipeline, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, operates a 1,872-mile pipeline system transporting refined petroleum products to over 70 major cities in 16 states, with a daily capacity of 660,000 barrels in the southern system and 450,000 barrels in the northern system.
Company Overview
Explorer Pipeline is a refined petroleum product transporter headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The company operates a pipeline system extending 1,872 miles from Port Arthur, Texas to the upper Midwest, serving major markets including Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, St. Louis, and Chicago. With more than 240 employees, Explorer Pipeline has been in operation for over 50 years. The pipeline system transports gasoline, diesel, diluent, and jet fuel to over 70 major cities in 16 states.
Pipeline Capacity
Explorer Pipeline's southern system has a capacity of 660,000 barrels per day, while the northern system manages 450,000 barrels per day. The entire network consists of over 1,800 miles of pipeline. This extensive capacity allows the company to serve a broad array of markets efficiently, transporting a variety of refined petroleum products.
Pipeline Safety Management System
Explorer Pipeline employs the PDCA (Plan/Do/Check/Adjust) cycle for its Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS). The company regularly inspects the interior of the pipeline using advanced technology to detect and address any integrity issues. They also have a comprehensive integrity management plan and use 24/7 surveillance alongside ground and air inspections to monitor the pipeline extensively.
Environmental and Energy Initiatives
Explorer Pipeline uses electric pumps across its system, which results in zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the pipeline and pump stations. The company monitors its energy usage daily and reduces the load during peak periods. They have a dedicated resource for monitoring energy efficiency and use LeakWarn software for pipeline monitoring. These initiatives help maintain environmental sustainability while ensuring operational efficiency.
Community and Employee Programs
Explorer Pipeline supports its community through the Partner Agency program, employee donation matching, and paid volunteer time. Employees have access to a range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. The company also offers free counseling via the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and conducts mandatory cyber security training. They engage in extensive stakeholder communication, mailing pipeline information brochures to roughly 222,000 addresses annually and responding to about 63,000 one-call tickets each year.