What is a pipeline right-of-way?
A pipeline right-of-way is a strip of land over and around pipelines where some of the property owner’s legal rights have been granted to a pipeline company. A right-of-way agreement between the pipeline company and the property owner is also called an easement and is usually filed in the public records with property deeds. Rights-of-ways and easements provide a permanent, limited interest in the land that enables the pipeline company to operate, test, inspect, repair, maintain, replace, and protect one or more pipelines on property owned by others. The agreement may vary the rights and widths of the right-of-way, but generally, the pipeline company’s right-of-ways extend 25 feet from each side of a pipeline unless special conditions exist.
A “pipeline right-of-way” is an area around an aboveground or underground pipeline where the easement holder, such as a pipeline operator, has a legal right to use the property for a specific purpose. In order to ensure the safety of people and property, the easement restricts how the surface property can be used or altered.
