Gas Pipeline Safety in Texas

Gas Infrastructure in Texas

Texas operates the largest natural gas distribution system in the United States by virtually every measure, with Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Texas Gas Service collectively serving millions of customers across a state larger than most countries. The distribution network spans everything from the dense urban cores of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin to remote rural communities in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions. Texas is also the nation's largest natural gas producer, meaning the state's distribution infrastructure coexists with an enormous web of production and transmission pipelines that creates a uniquely complex underground utility environment.

Key Risk Factors

Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 exposed catastrophic vulnerabilities in Texas's gas infrastructure — the storm caused widespread production freeze-offs, compressor failures, and distribution system outages that left millions without heat during life-threatening temperatures, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The state's rapid population growth, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Austin, and San Antonio, drives constant construction activity that elevates third-party excavation risk across urban and suburban service territories. Extreme summer heat also stresses aboveground meter sets and plastic pipe in shallow installations, contributing to heat-related deformation incidents in the hottest years.

Incident Patterns

Texas's incident totals reflect the sheer scale of its distribution system — with more customers and more pipe miles than any other state, the raw number of reported incidents is correspondingly large. Excavation damage is the leading cause, driven by relentless construction across booming metro areas, while corrosion events in older urban neighborhoods in Houston and other legacy cities contribute significantly to the record. You can explore all incidents in Texas on our site.

Regulatory Oversight

Gas distribution utilities in Texas are regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas, which — despite its historical name — serves as the primary oil, gas, and pipeline safety regulator in the state and oversees distribution utility compliance programs. Before any digging project, Texas residents and contractors must call Texas811 to have underground utilities marked — it's the law and it saves lives.

Stay Safe

• Learn the signs of a gas leak
• Know what to do if you smell gas
• Understand how gas leak detectors work