ATMOS PIPELINE - TEXAS

Incident Narrative

ADDITIONAL NRC REPORT NO. 1197541 ON NOVEMBER 15, 2017, AN ATMOS ENERGY CONTRACTOR HIT THE LINE AT THE JOHNTOWN BLOCK VALVE/JOHNTOWN TAP YARD. THE CONTRACTOR WAS HIRED BY ATMOS ENERGY TO DO THE BORES ON THE LINE O38-1 LINE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTRACTOR DRILLED A 2.5 INCH HOLE IN THE LINE AT THE STATION LISTED. AS PART OF ITS NORMAL OPERATIONS, ATMOS ENERGY HAS A PROGRAM IN PLACE TO MONITOR AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AS NEEDED WITH CONTRACTORS WHO DAMAGE COMPANY ASSETS DURING EXCAVATION. THIS DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM IS APPLICABLE TO THIS CONTRACTOR AND WAS FOLLOWED AND APPLIED WITH REGARD TO THIS INCIDENT. THE PROGRAM INVOLVES, AMONG OTHER ACTIONS: (1) AUDITS OF CURRENT EXCAVATION PROJECTS OF 2ND PARTY CONTRACTORS TO REVIEW COMPLIANCE WITH PIPELINE LOCATING AND DAMAGE PREVENTION PROCEDURES; (2) MEETINGS WITH 2ND PARTY CONTRACTORS TO DISCUSS AT-FAULT DAMAGES AND DEVELOP ROOT-CAUSE ANALYSIS OF THE DAMAGES; (3) PROVISION OF COACHING TO CONTRACTORS OF DAMAGE PREVENTION MEASURES REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER LOCATING PROCEDURES AND SAFE EXCAVATION PRACTICES WITHIN THE TOLERANCE ZONE; AND (4) PUBLIC LIAISON MEETINGS AND MOCK LINE STRIKES CONDUCTED ANNUALLY FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AND EXCAVATORS WITHIN OUR SERVICE AREA, EMPHASIZING PROPER USE OF THE 811 NOTIFICATION SYSTEM, SAFE EXCAVATION PRACTICES, AND RESPONSE ACTIONS TO TAKE IN THE EVENT OF A PIPELINE INCIDENT.