CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION

gas_distribution Incident — SPRING, TX

Incident Information

Report Date
OperatorCENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION
Commodity—
Pipeline Typegas_distribution

Location

CitySPRING
StateTX
CountyHARRIS
Coordinates30.03053, -95.56556

Cause

CauseEXCAVATION DAMAGE
Subcause—

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries3

Costs

Property Damage
Lost Commodity
Public/Private Damage
Emergency Response
Environmental Remediation
Other Costs

Location Map

Incident Narrative

A CABLE CONTRACTOR, TEXAS BEST LLC, (WORKING UNDER EXPIRED LOCATE TICKETS), CONDUCTING DIRECTIONAL DRILLING OPERATIONS DAMAGED CENTERPOINT ENERGY'S 2"" INCH PLASTIC MAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 10:28AM ON MARCH 5, 2021. ESCAPING GAS FROM THIRD-PARTY DAMAGE IGNITED AS CENTERPOINT ENERGY EMPLOYEES WERE WORKING IN A REMOTE BELL-HOLE TO STOP THE LEAK. SIX EMPLOYEES WERE INJURED, WITH THREE REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE IGNITION EVENT IS UNDERWAY."" AFTER SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT GAS ESCAPING FROM THE DAMAGED TWO INCH PLASTIC MAIN MIGRATED TO THE REMOTE BELL-HOLE. WHILE EXPANDING THE BELL-HOLE CENTERPOINT CREW UTILIZING MECHANICAL EXCAVATION DAMAGED A (120 VOLT) STREET LIGHT CABLE WHICH RESULTED IN IGNITION OF MIGRATING GAS. THE RADIANT HEAT FROM THE BURNING GAS MELTED THE ALREADY EXPOSED SIX INCH PLASTIC MAIN THAT WAS IN THE BELL-HOLE.

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.

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