SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS CO

gas_transmission Incident —

Incident Information

Report Date
OperatorSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS CO
Commodity—
Pipeline Typegas_transmission

Location

State
Coordinates33.96101, -118.43703

Cause

CauseINCORRECT OPERATION
Subcause—

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries0

Costs

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

Location Map

Incident Narrative

ORIGINAL REPORT: AT THE PLAYA DEL REY UNDERGROUND STORAGE FACILITY, AN UNINTENTIONAL AND MOMENTARY OPENING OF A BLOCK VALVE ALLOWED A RELEASE OF HIGH-PRESSURE GAS INTO LOWER-RATED PRESSURE PIPING. THIS RESULTED IN UNPLANNED RELEASE OF GAS THROUGH THE RELIEVING VALVE SYSTEM AND AN OVER PRESSURE OF CERTAIN STATION PIPING. THE GAS EMITTED THROUGH THE RELIEF SYSTEM IGNITED. THE PROBABLE SOURCE OF IGNITION WAS A STATIC CHARGE. THE SYSTEM WAS ISOLATED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE SOOT FROM THE BURNED GAS CAUSED MIST DAMAGE TO NEIGHBORING HOMES, LANDSCAPING AND VEHICLES. FACILITY IS CURRENTLY SHUTDOWN DURING ON-GOING INVESTIGATION AND INSPECTION OF PIPELINE FACILITIES. THE INCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. A SUBSEQUENT REPORT WILL BE FILED WHEN INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE AND FACILITIES ARE BACK IN SERVICE. NO INJURIES OR EVACUATIONS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT. SUPPLEMENTAL/FINAL REPORT - INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT IS COMPLETE AND DETERMINED PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE EVENT WAS THE UNINTENTIONAL OPERATION OF A BLOCK VALVE. SINCE THE INCIDENT, ADDITIONAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO AVOID A SIMILAR EVENT IN THE FUTURE.

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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