ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION - WEST TEXAS
gas_distribution Incident — BUSHLAND, TX — June 25, 2014
Incident Information
| Incident Date | June 25, 2014 |
| Operator | ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION - WEST TEXAS |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | BUSHLAND |
| State | TX |
| County | POTTER |
| Coordinates | 35.20650, -102.07238 |
Cause
| Cause | NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE |
| Subcause | LIGHTNING |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $70,000 |
| Emergency Response | $500 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
AT APPROXIMATELY 5:47 THE STATION THAT INTERCONNECTS OUR SYSTEM TO OUR SUPPLIERS WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING DAMAGING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL AND MONITORING EQUIPMENT. OUR GAS CONTROL DISPATCHED AN ALARM AT 5:49. THE CONTROL VALVE FAILED OPEN. A RELIEF VALVE VENTED GAS TO PROTECT THE SYSTEM FOLLOWING THE STATION DAMAGE. THE EQUIPMENT RESPONDED AS DESIGNED TO PROTECT BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE GAS SYSTEM. WE WERE ABLE TO VALVE OFF THE STATION AND THE AREA WAS DEEMED SAFE AROUND 7:00AM. THERE WAS NO LOSS CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE TESTING TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TOOK SEVERAL HOURS TO COMPLETE. THE STATION IS CURRENTLY LOCKED OFF.
About This Pipeline Incident
Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.