Northern Natural Gas - Worthi Gas Pipeline Facility, Des Moines Township, Minnesota

Northern Natural Gas - Worthi is a gas pipeline facility located at 77659 520th Avenue Unit 2 in Des Moines Township, Jackson County, Minnesota, United States. The facility is operational and classified under NAICS code 486210 for pipeline transportation of natural gas. As part of the Northern Natural Gas system, it contributes to the extensive natural gas transmission network serving the Midwest region. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) 49 CFR Part 192, which governs the safe transportation of natural gas. Typical gas pipeline facilities in Minnesota are subject to rigorous safety standards including cathodic protection, leak detection, and regular integrity assessments. The scale of this facility is consistent with regional gas transmission infrastructure, which often spans hundreds of miles. Environmentally, the facility plays a key role in delivering natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial use in the region. Its location in a rural area of southwestern Minnesota reduces proximity to dense populations, but pipelines still require careful monitoring to prevent leaks and protect local waterways. The facility's operational significance lies in its contribution to the reliability and safety of the natural gas supply chain in the Upper Midwest.

The facility is situated in a rural area of Jackson County, Minnesota, near the Des Moines River watershed. Gas pipelines in this region must manage risks related to agricultural land use, soil erosion, and potential waterway crossings. Cathodic protection systems are essential to prevent corrosion, and regular inspections help mitigate the risk of leaks that could impact local ecosystems. The relatively low population density reduces human exposure risks, but environmental stewardship remains a priority.