PUBLIC SERVICE CO OF COLORADO
gas_transmission Incident — — August 17, 2017
Incident Information
| Incident Date | August 17, 2017 |
| Operator | PUBLIC SERVICE CO OF COLORADO |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_transmission |
Location
| State | |
| Coordinates | 37.48479, -106.53275 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY OPERATOR'S CONTRACTOR (SECOND PARTY) |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $90,000 |
| Emergency Response | $5,000 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"ON 8/17/17, A SECOND PARTY MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR STRUCK THE XCEL/PSCO 8IN IGNACIO TO DEL NORTE TRANSMISSION GAS LINE APPROXIMATELY 16 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DEL NORTE, COLORADO. WHILE EXCAVATING A TRENCH INTENDED FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FOR A NEW REMOTE-CONTROLLED VALVE, THE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR STRUCK A 2IN T.D. WILLIAMSON THREAD-O-RING FITTING AT THE 12:00 POSITION ON THE 8IN PIPELINE. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE 8IN PIPELINE FAILED, OPENING A 2.5IN DIAMETER HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE PIPE. THE INCIDENT LOCATION IS A REMOTE AREA WITHOUT CELLULAR PHONE SERVICE. THE INCIDENT WAS INITIALLY DISCOVERED BY THE GAS CONTROLLER ON DUTY BY WAY OF SCADA ALARMS AND WAS IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO OPERATING PERSONNEL. THE DAMAGED PIPELINE SEGMENT WAS ISOLATED BY CLOSING THE MANUALLY OPERATED UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM MAINLINE VALVES. UPON COMPLETION OF THE ELECTRICAL WORK, THE FINAL GRADE OF THE LOCATION WILL BE RAISED TO REACH A MINIMUM OF 36IN OF COVER. THE INITIAL NRC NUMBER IS #1187585 AND THE 48-HR FOLLOW UP NUMBER IS #1187701."
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.