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Emergency Leak Information

If a gas leak is found
As with any emergency where life or property is at risk, call 911 immediately from a safe place.  Be prepared to give your name, phone number, description of the leak and its location.

Then, contact the Energen Resources office in the area:

  • In Alabama, call 205-554-3100
  • In Colorado, call 505-325-6800
  • In Louisiana, call 318-251-6516
  • In southeastern New Mexico, call 800-861-8757
  • In the Four Corners region of New Mexico, call 505-325-6800
  • In east Texas, call 318-251-6516
  • In west Texas, call 800-861-8757

How to recognize a suspected leak
Using your sense of sight, smell and sound will help you in recognizing a suspected leak.

SIGHT
A dense fog, mist or white cloud; bubbling in water and creeks; blowing dust or dirt; and discolored vegetation

SMELL
Natural gas is naturally odorless and may be impossible to detect without special gas detection equipment.  However, in certain areas an odorant may be added which will give natural gas a distinctive smell similar to rotten eggs. 

SOUND
Whistling, hissing or roaring noise

If a leak should occur

What To Do What NOT To Do
  • Immediately leave the area.
  • If possible turn off any equipment being used and move upwind from the suspected leak
  • From a safe location, call 911 or your local emergency response number and the pipeline company.  Call collect, if needed, and give your name, phone number, description of the leak and its location.
  • Warn others to stay away when possible.
  • DO NOT touch, breathe, or make contact with leaking gas or liquids. Stay upwind if possible.
  • DO NOT light a match, start an engine, use a telephone, turn on or off any type of electrical switch such as a light, garage door opener, etc., or do anything that may create a spark.
  • DO NOT attempt to extinguish any pipeline fire that may start.
  • DO NOT drive into a leak or vapor cloud area. Automobile engines may ignite the vapors.
  • DO NOT attempt to operate valves.

Types of facilities operated by Energen Resources

Location Well Sites Natural Gas Pipelines Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
Alabama
Colorado
Louisiana
New Mexico
Texas

Well Sites
The average size of a well pad is approximately one acre.  Well pads are constructed and maintained in accordance with federal, state and local regulatory requirements.  Company personnel check the well sites on a regular basis and with remote equipment that transmits production data to a central location. Safety signage is located on the well pad. 

Natural Gas Pipelines
Energen Resources’ gas pipelines are either high density black plastic or light green coated steel.  These pipelines are installed underground at a normal depth of approximately 30-40 inches deep.  The cover over these lines will vary and are affected by erosion and other activities since their installation. The black plastic pipelines typically operate at low pressures (< 50 psig to 500 psig) and the green coated steel pipelines typically operate at high pressures (500 psig).  Pipeline identification markers identify company contact information and should be visible at almost any location on the right-of-way.

Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
Energen Resources uses carbon dioxide to enhance the recovery of oil from producing properties in west Texas near our Penwell office. The carbon dioxide is transported by underground pipeline in liquid form under high pressure. Normal operating pressure on the CO2 pipeline is greater than 1000 psig. Pipeline markers are installed on rights-of-way to identify the pipeline’s approximate location.