PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS CO INC
gas_distribution Incident — LELAND, NC — February 29, 2024
Incident Information
| Incident Date | February 29, 2024 |
| Operator | PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS CO INC |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | LELAND |
| State | NC |
| County | BRUNSWICK |
| Coordinates | 34.17617, -78.03924 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY OPERATOR (FIRST PARTY) |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $189,744 |
| Emergency Response | $37,600 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"ON FEBRUARY 29, 2024, AT 10:08AM IN LELAND, NC A PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS COMPANY CREW STRUCK A 4 INCH PLASTIC NATURAL GAS MAIN WHEN OPERATING MECHANICAL EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT. THE EQUIPMENT MADE CONTACT WITH A 2"" TAPPING TEE ON TOP OF A 4"" MAIN, BREAKING THE TEE OFF THE MAIN. THE ESCAPING GAS BUILT UP A STATIC CHARGE ON THE EXPOSED PLASTIC PIPE THAT IMMEDIATELY CAUSED AN IGNITION OF THE GAS. THE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR RECEIVED MINOR BURNS AND WAS TREATED ON SITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSPORTED TO A MEDICAL FACILITY, BUT NOT ADMITTED. THE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE EXCAVATION CLEARANCE FROM THE 4"" PLASTIC PIPE WHILE EXCAVATING STRIKING THE PIPE WHILE DIGGING. THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN 436 CUSTOMER OUTAGES ON FEBRUARY 29TH. ALL CUSTOMERS WERE BACK IN SERVICE ON MARCH 1ST."
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.