TEXAS EASTERN TRANSMISSION, LP (SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP)
gas_transmission Incident — — April 29, 2016
Incident Information
| Incident Date | April 29, 2016 |
| Operator | TEXAS EASTERN TRANSMISSION, LP (SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP) |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_transmission |
Location
| State | |
| Coordinates | 40.39683, -79.52351 |
Cause
| Cause | CORROSION FAILURE |
| Subcause | EXTERNAL CORROSION |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 1 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $624,000 |
| Emergency Response | $0 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
AT APPROXIMATELY 8:13 A.M. EST ON APRIL 29, 2016, TETLP'S 30-INCH DIAMETER LINE 27 TRANSPORTING NATURAL GAS FROM DELMONT COMPRESSOR STATION TO ARMAGH COMPRESSOR STATION IN PENNSYLVANIA FAILED AT MP 2.07. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE. TETLP PERSONNEL WERE IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED TO CLOSE MAINLINE BLOCK VALVES WITHIN THE DELMONT COMPRESSOR STATION AND AT THE CONEMAUGH RIVER MAINLINE VALVES AT MP 15.45. FIRST RESPONDERS EVACUATED THE PUBLIC FROM 9 STRUCTURES. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT THE 5:30 O'CLOCK ORIENTATION AT A REGION OF EXTERNAL METAL LOSS NEAR A GIRTH WELD THAT HAD BEEN COATED WITH POLYETHYLENE TAPE. THE FAILURE INITIATED IN THE AXIAL DIRECTION AND PROPAGATED AXIALLY AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY. THE PRESENCE OF EXTERNAL CORROSION AT THE FAILURE LOCATION INDICATES THAT THE FIELD JOINT COATING WAS COMPROMISED. THIS NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN UPDATED SINCE FILING OF THE ORIGINAL REPORT TO REFLECT THE COMPANY'S FAILURE ANALYSIS. SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT: TETLP HAS MADE THE DECISION TO ABANDON THE IDLED SECTION OF LINE 27. TETLP HAS COMMENCED WORK ON THE REQUIRED FERC ABANDONMENT FILING.
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.