Locating An Old Pipeline?

[diamonde40]

Texas 811 doesn't cost you a dime. Just the time to make the call or fill out the form online.

[RifleBowPistol]

If you could get the city you live near, to send one of their guys out with a backhoe, I am sure he can find it. Seems guaranteed, every time some city employee digs a hole with a backhoe, they find a water main, or gas main, ECT. If anybody can find it, they can.

[Big pig]

I've located water lines and old pipelines using dowsing rods made out of metal coat hangers. Laugh if you want but it works.

When I was with the Forest Service we had some old abandoned well locations with flowlines that were unmarked. I was able to find several by crisscrossing the area and using pin flags.

Check out some of the videos on Youtube.

Our field guys located lines like that in a pinch. I can find water lines easily on my property. ( Not depth. ) I use some aluminum rods.
But definitely call 811.
There are “newer” pipelines on RRC maps online. My GIS guys helped me a lot on old lines when we were locating possible drilling locations. Gathering lines may or may not be on the RRC maps.

BP

[Burnadell]

I've located water lines and old pipelines using dowsing rods made out of metal coat hangers. Laugh if you want but it works.

When I was with the Forest Service we had some old abandoned well locations with flowlines that were unmarked. I was able to find several by crisscrossing the area and using pin flags.

Check out some of the videos on Youtube.

Yep. They DO work. We used them when I worked in the oilfield during college. I think we called it witching.

[AntlerCollector]

Calling 811 will at least help CYA.

The locator who comes out can probably tell you the depth if you ask him ahead of time.

[Take em]

Our field guys located lines like that in a pinch. I can find water lines easily on my property. ( Not depth. ) I use some aluminum rods.
But definitely call 811.
There are “newer” pipelines on RRC maps online. My GIS guys helped me a lot on old lines when we were locating possible drilling locations. Gathering lines may or may not be on the RRC maps.

BP

Stomp on ground over the pipe and when they pop open you have a depth. No guarantees it works every time but I have seen it done


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[dbaio1]

I would think if it is a transmission line you should be able to get help. 811 as suggestion then state agencies. All my experience is in Louisiana and we have several pipelines, transmission and gathering going back to the 1940's. It's the gathering lines that can be a black hole if older than say the 70's. Good luck.

Forgot to add having a copy of the right away agreement is key.

[curtintex]

Stomp on ground over the pipe and when they pop open you have a depth. No guarantees it works every time but I have seen it done

I read this in complete confusion. Then I read your profile and saw that you’re an engineer. Made a lot more sense then.

[curtintex]

It’s been covered, but call 811. I dig around pipelines for a living. After you call, if nobody reaches out because it’s abandoned, take a 4’ probe rod and probe every 6” across that easement. If you call 811, you’re legally covered, but….Just because you call OneCall, just because nobody shows up, just because it may be shown as abandoned, don’t mean you can’t get your *** blown into the next county if somebody was wrong. There are very safe ways to ensure that you don’t break a pipeline. It involves some probing and shovel work, but that’s a small price to pay to be sure.

[toledo]

Thanks everyone for all the info!

Will do Curt. I tried probing with rebar but it wasnt smooth enough.

Will submit 811 and go from there.