Association of Oil Pipe Lines

The Association of Oil Pipe Lines promotes responsible policies, safety excellence, and public support for liquids pipelines. We represent pipelines transporting 97 percent of all hazardous liquids barrel miles reported to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Our diverse membership includes large and small pipelines carrying crude oil, refined petroleum products, NGLs, and other liquids.

The Association of Oil Pipe Lines (“AOPL”) represents the interests of owners and operators of America’s liquid pipelines. Liquid pipelines bring crude oil to the nation’s refineries and important petroleum products to our communities, including all grades of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, kerosene, propane, and biofuels. AOPL members also transport carbon dioxide to oil and natural gas fields, where it can be used efficiently to enhance production.

REPRESENTING LIQUID PIPELINES

   As the only association representing liquid pipelines on federal economic regulatory issues, we advocate for responsible economic and commercial policies at the FERC and Congress. We support reasonable returns commensurate with risk and streamlined regulation appropriate for our competitive industry.      At PHMSA and in Congress, we pursue responsible pipeline safety policies that focus on the areas of highest risk and the best use of safety dollars. Participation in AOPL enables members to learn about pipeline safety and operations and contribute to safety improvement activities of great interest to the Federal pipeline safety regulator, DOT PHMSA. We conduct safety initiatives with the American Petroleum Institute (API), highlighted by the Pipeline Safety Excellence Strategic Plan. Our members conduct Leadership Roundtables on safety culture and lessons learned, and data-driven strategic planning on performance improvement initiatives. We engage regularly with PHMSA and NTSB on these programs. We also support industry-wide pipeline safety research by the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI).

EXPERIENCED STAFF

Our experienced staff and network of company representatives identify legislative, regulatory and legal policy risks that could affect pipeline owners and operators. We report to our members regularly and provide analysis and insights about these risks in executive and committee settings.  We provide leveraged advocacy for members on legislative, regulatory and legal issues, working with committees and teams.  

LEADERSHIP

All of our members designate a principal representative to AOPL, and one or more alternate representatives. Individuals in this group receive invitations to three Pipeline Leadership Meetings per year, featuring discussions on topical issues among pipeline executives and leaders in legal and operational matters and lots of opportunity for networking. Pipeline Leadership also receives weekly email updates and announcements about industry committees and teams to which they may nominate personnel.