"CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP., DBA CENTERPOINT ENERGY MINNESOTA GAS"

gas_distribution Incident — MINNEAPOLIS, MN — June 10, 2011

Incident Information

Incident DateJune 10, 2011
Operator"CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP., DBA CENTERPOINT ENERGY MINNESOTA GAS"
CommodityNATURAL GAS
Pipeline Typegas_distribution

Location

CityMINNEAPOLIS
StateMN
CountyHENNEPIN
Coordinates44.96277, -93.22984

Cause

CauseINCORRECT OPERATION
SubcauseOTHER INCORRECT OPERATION

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries1

Costs

Property Damage$0
Emergency Response$2,240
Other Costs$0

Location Map

Incident Narrative

"THE CONTRACTOR, MICHELS PIPELINE, PURGED A 16"" GAS MAIN THAT WAS BEING ABANDONED. THERE WERE TWO OPEN ENDS OF AN 8"" MAIN THAT TEED OFF THE 16"". THE STUB ATTACHED TO THE 16"" MAIN WAS SEALED WITH FOAM AND COVERED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. A WELDER FROM MICHELS WAS IN THE PROCESS OF WELDING AN END CAP ON THE OTHER END OF THE 8"" MAIN. AFTER MAKING HIS INITIAL TACK, THE END OF THE PIPE THAT WAS TAPED AND SEALED WITH FOAM COMBUSTED OUTWARD BLOWING THE FOAM OUT AND BURNING THE MICHELS WELDER."

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.

Back to All Incidents More Incidents in MN