[Porsche-O-Phile]

Technically pipelines are regulated/overseen as a form of transportation by the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) - the same guys that investigate airplane crashes and train wrecks.

Clearly gubmint oversight is just as lacking as self-policing by corporations.

In the defense of the pipeline operators though, there are HUNDREDS OF MILES of pipe through some very treacherous wilderness. Many segments can only be reasonably inspected by aircraft (I once had an offer to do this years ago) - obviously a lot can be missed that way.