AMPP Report Finds Corrosion Behind Growing Share of U.S. Pipeline Incidents
A new AMPP industry report finds corrosion remains a leading cause of U.S. pipeline incidents, highlighting growing integrity risks tied to aging infrastructure, workforce shifts and new energy systems.
(P&GJ) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) has released its first energy industry report examining corrosion risks, workforce challenges and emerging technologies affecting pipeline integrity across the United States.
The report, titled U.S. Pipeline Industry 2026: Leading Failures, New Technologies, and Future Outlook, analyzes publicly available incident data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) along with insights from industry specialists to identify trends affecting pipeline safety and reliability.
According to the report, corrosion continues to be a significant contributor to pipeline incidents in the United States. PHMSA data show that between 600 and 700 incidents are reported annually, with corrosion historically responsible for roughly 18% of incidents. In 2024, corrosion-related incidents accounted for more than 25% of reported cases.
Across the U.S., more than three million miles of pipelines transport natural gas, crude oil, refined fuels and emerging energy carriers. The report highlights the growing importance of corrosion control, workforce development and integrity management programs as operators manage aging infrastructure while adapting to new energy systems.
“Corrosion remains one of the most significant – and most preventable – risks to pipeline safety and reliability,” said AMPP CEO Alan Thomas. “By combining objective data with insight from across the industry, AMPP is helping operators, regulators, and other stakeholders better understand these risks and strengthen integrity programs that protect infrastructure, communities, and the energy systems we rely on.”
The report also examines how new inspection technologies and digital tools are changing pipeline monitoring practices. At the same time, the growth of hydrogen and carbon dioxide pipelines is creating additional operational challenges for integrity management programs.
“As pipeline systems age and new energy carriers come online, maintaining asset integrity becomes increasingly complex,” said Tim Gonzalez, Vice President of Energy Integrity Solutions at AMPP. “This report offers a clear, fact-based look at the risks the industry faces and the steps it can take to address them. It stresses the role of corrosion prevention, qualified professionals, and standards-driven practices in ensuring pipelines remain safe and reliable throughout their service life.”
Sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, the report draws on input from engineers, inspection specialists and asset integrity professionals to assess regulatory trends, workforce needs and new corrosion mitigation strategies.
AMPP said the publication is the first in a planned series of energy-focused reports intended to provide operators and regulators with data-driven insights on infrastructure risks and asset performance.