The tragic incident in Mexico makes it clear that pipeline tapping is becoming an increasing problem. A problem that not only costs human lives and causes enormous material damage, but also a problem that undermines public confidence in the pipeline transport systems and their operators.

Pipelines are still the safest, most reliable and most economical way to transport various products over long distances. However, these facts can hardly be conveyed to the public in the face of the disturbing pictures from burning people, most of whom only made the mistake of not being able to resist the temptation to steal fuel. A crime, sure, but not one that is punishable by death.

The problems in Mexico may have taken on an extreme form that cannot be compared with other countries and other companies. Nevertheless, pipeline tapping is by no means just a Mexican problem. No matter if Brazil, England or Africa - illegal attempts to tap pipelines are increasing in quantity and quality.

The international pipeline community must find viable solutions to this problem as quickly as possible. Cost-effective and reliable. And we need to talk about these solutions before an incident like the one in Mexico occurs in countries where neither the population nor the government authorizes show any tolerance for such an incident. Not even for far less catastrophic incidents.

In Order to combat the challenges resulting from this alarming trend, the 14th Pipeline Technology Conference will dedicate its closing panel discussion to this topic. Under the title “Illegal Tapping - Focus Regions, Monitoring and Counter Measures“, multiple pipeline operators will debate this important topic. The Penal consists of representatives of Petrobras, Shell Nigeria, BPA and Eni, rendering this panel discussion to a top-staffed and very promising part of this year’s ptc.

If you want to participate in the effort to reduce or eliminate this problem, you should register now to the 14th ptc and be a part of Europe’s leading pipeline conference and exhibition.