VIRGINIA NATURAL GAS
gas_distribution Incident — VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — April 18, 2011
Incident Information
| Incident Date | April 18, 2011 |
| Operator | VIRGINIA NATURAL GAS |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | VIRGINIA BEACH |
| State | VA |
| Coordinates | 36.79412, -75.99687 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $24,303 |
| Emergency Response | $0 |
| Other Costs | $12,781 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"TIDEWATER UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION, INC. WAS INSTALLING NEW WATER MAIN FOR THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH AND HIT A 4 INCH PLASTIC NATURAL GAS MAIN ON OCEANA BOULEVARD IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA WITH MECHANIZED EQUIPMENT. THE RELEASED GAS WAS APPARENTLY IGNITED BY A NEARBY GASOLINE-FIRED SUMP-PUMP AND CAUSED A NATURAL GAS FIRE AT THE DAMAGE LOCATION. THE EXCAVATION DAMAGE OCCURRED IN THE ROAD MEDIAN AND WAS AWAY FROM ANY BUILDING STRUCTURES. THE FIRE DAMAGED SOME OF THE EXCAVATORS EQUIPMENT AND CAUSED A GAS OUTAGE DOWNSTREAM (THE SYSTEM WAS NOT BACK FED)."
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.