April 1, 2026 – APRIL IS NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING MONTH – Explorer Pipeline Urges Oklahomans to Call 811 Before Digging
Explorer Pipeline Urges Oklahomans to Call 811 Before Digging as Damages to Buried Utilities Cost $30 Billion Annually Nationwide
TULSA, Okla. (April 01, 2026) – April marks National Safe Digging Month, and Explorer Pipeline is reminding homeowners, landowners and farmers across Oklahoma that every digging project – no matter how small – begins with a free call to 811.
In Oklahoma, the scale of digging activity is significant. The state’s 811 call center received more than 1.1 million locate request tickets in 2024, the most recent year of available data. That marks a 3.76% increase from 2023, highlighting the growing volume of projects and the importance of contacting 811 before breaking ground.
Spring in Oklahoma means gardening, fence repairs, landscaping upgrades, and tree planting. Buried utilities and pipelines pose a serious safety risk for any digging or excavation project.
“Shallow digging is still digging. Always know what’s below before you start,” said Mark Hurley, President & CEO of Explorer Pipeline. “Call 811 three days before you dig. It’s free, it’s fast, and it protects your family, your neighbors, and your community. It’s also simply the right thing to do.”
Many homeowners assume they only need to call before large excavation projects. However, utilities can be buried just inches below the surface. Every digging project, regardless of depth, requires contacting 811 at least three business days in advance.
$30 Billion in Damages Annually
Across the United States, damages to buried utilities, including water mains, natural gas lines, pipelines, and telecommunications cables cost approximately $30 billion annually in repairs, lost service, and broader societal impacts. Not contacting 811 before digging is the #1 cause of utility damage to buried utilities every year. While backhoes are the number one piece of equipment involved, shovels rank second. Even small projects like installing a mailbox, planting shrubs, or repairing a fence can have major consequences if a buried line is struck.
In Oklahoma alone, more than 3,200 damage tickets were submitted in 2025, underscoring the ongoing risk of striking buried utilities.
Research shows that calling 811 before digging reduces the risk of injury, environmental harm, and utility damage by 99%.
How It Works
Calling 811 is free and required by Oklahoma law. When homeowners or contractors dial 8-1-1, the appropriate utility companies are notified of their intent to dig. Professional locators are then dispatched to the site, typically arriving within two business days to mark the approximate location of underground lines using flags, paint, or both.
Explorer Pipeline encourages everyone to know what’s below and make safe digging part of every outdoor project this spring and throughout the year.
Visit expl.com/Safety/Call-Before-You-Dig or www.call811.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
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Explorer Pipeline is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has over 240 employees. It transports refined petroleum products through an 1872-mile pipeline system extending from Port Arthur, Texas to the upper Midwest and serves major markets, including Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, St. Louis, and Chicago. The southern system currently has a capacity of 660,000 barrels per day and the northern system currently has a capacity of 450,000 barrels per day.
Media Contact:
Gretchen Wagner
Schanke Turnbo Frank
917-716-6047
