The Oil & Gas Program regulates operators of intrastate underground natural gas storage (UNGS) facilities under a federal grant program through the United States Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The Oil & Gas Program performs inspections, safety-related condition and incident investigations. It also determines compliance with federal safety regulations. Please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website for more information about state participation with PHMSA for the regulation of intrastate UNGS facilities in Indiana at State Participation | PHMSA (dot.gov).
UNGS facilities in Indiana store a ready supply of non-native natural gas for use during peak times. The gas is stored in rock formations hundreds of feet below the surface in either pressure-regulated depleted hydrocarbon or aquifer reservoirs. The gas is added or withdrawn through Oil & Gas Program permitted gas storage wells, drilled to reservoir depths. The wellhead for each well is regularly inspected, serviced, and maintained by the storage facility operator.
Pipelines are attached to the wellhead to transport gas to and from the storage facility reservoir. Inspections of natural gas pipelines are handled through the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) through state participation with PHMSA. For more information about natural gas pipelines, please visit the IURC Pipeline Safety Division website at IURC: Pipeline Safety Division.
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