Pipeline Blasting
Short answer: On pipeline projects, blasting is mostly used to break up bedrock so crews can dig the trench for new pipe. The footage shows that kind of blast: a line of charges lifting mud and rock along a slope.
Crews try machines first, such as bulldozer-mounted rippers and rock hammers. Pipeline blasting plans filed with U.S. regulators call for explosives only where rock can't be dug economically any other way. The work is tightly controlled. A contractor has to write a site-specific blasting plan and follow state and local explosives rules. Typical plans call for surveys of buildings, wells and utilities within 150 ft before blasting, plus vibration and air-blast monitoring and blasting mats to hold down flying rock. They also require warning signals and inspections afterward. Charges are loaded into drilled holes and fired in sequence a few milliseconds apart, which keeps ground shaking down. FERC also requires a schedule of planned trenching or blasting for each waterbody wider than 10 ft. The Reel says blasting is used to remove old pipelines, but none of the sources I found support that as a normal method.
What should you know about Pipeline Blasting?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
Pipeline blasting mostly breaks bedrock for the trench.
Blasting plans call for pre-blast surveys within 150 ft.
Video transcript: Pipeline Blasting: Rock in the Way? Blast It
DID YOU KNOW? Pipeline blasting is a controlled method used to clear, shape, or remove sections of pipeline infrastructure, typically involving the use of high-energy explosives or compressed gases. In construction or decommissioning, blasting may be employed to remove old or obstructed pipeline segments buried underground or submerged underwater, especially when mechanical removal is impractical. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 20.7s Reel ·
The write-up
Rock in the way? Blast it. Pipeline crews blast bedrock when machines can't dig the trench.
- Exhibit A
What gets blasted
On pipeline jobs, blasting mainly breaks bedrock so a trench can be dug for new pipe.
- Exhibit B
Machines first
Crews try rippers and rock hammers first. Blasting is for rock that can't be dug economically.
- Exhibit C
A written plan
Contractors need a site-specific blasting plan, pre-blast surveys within 150 ft, and vibration monitoring.
- Exhibit D
Timed charges
Charges in drilled holes are fired milliseconds apart, and blasting mats hold down flying rock.
- Exhibit E
Rivers and streams
FERC requires a schedule of planned trenching or blasting in each waterbody wider than 10 ft.
Questions people ask about Pipeline Blasting
What is blasting mostly used for on pipeline projects?
It clears rock so the trench can be dug.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (What gets blasted) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10; Ruby Pipeline: Appendix M, Blasting Plan (BLM)
What do crews try before blasting?
Blasting is for rock machines can't dig economically.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Machines first) · Ruby Pipeline: Appendix M, Blasting Plan (BLM); ET Rover Pipeline: Appendix G-7 (FERC)
How far out do typical plans survey structures and wells?
Pre-blast surveys within 150 ft.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (A written plan) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10
Why are charges fired milliseconds apart?
Delays keep vibration down.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Timed charges) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10
What holds down flying rock?
Heavy mats cover the blast area.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Timed charges) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
What is blasting mostly used for on pipeline projects?
- Breaking bedrock for the trench
- Cleaning the inside of pipes
- Testing pipe strength
- Removing paint
Show the answer
Answer: A. Breaking bedrock for the trench It clears rock so the trench can be dug. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (What gets blasted) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10; Ruby Pipeline: Appendix M, Blasting Plan (BLM)
What do crews try before blasting?
- Rippers and rock hammers
- Fire hoses
- Chemical solvents
- Hand shovels only
Show the answer
Answer: A. Rippers and rock hammers Blasting is for rock machines can't dig economically. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Machines first) · Ruby Pipeline: Appendix M, Blasting Plan (BLM); ET Rover Pipeline: Appendix G-7 (FERC)
How far out do typical plans survey structures and wells?
- 150 ft
- 5 ft
- 5 miles
- 50 miles
Show the answer
Answer: A. 150 ft Pre-blast surveys within 150 ft. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (A written plan) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10
Why are charges fired milliseconds apart?
- To limit ground shaking
- To save money on wire
- To make it louder
- To heat the rock
Show the answer
Answer: A. To limit ground shaking Delays keep vibration down. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Timed charges) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10
What holds down flying rock?
- Blasting mats
- Fishing nets
- Plastic tarps
- Water balloons
Show the answer
Answer: A. Blasting mats Heavy mats cover the blast area. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Timed charges) · Mountain Valley Pipeline: General Blasting Plan (Apr 2016, rev. Feb 2017), FERC Docket CP16-10
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "Pipeline Blasting." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-625, last updated Jul 28, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/pipeline-blasting/
Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/pipeline-blasting/ · Last updated
Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-625-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/pipeline-blasting/#DD-625-F01
