TENNESSEE GAS PIPELINE CO (EL PASO)
gas_transmission Incident — — September 21, 2011
Incident Information
| Incident Date | September 21, 2011 |
| Operator | TENNESSEE GAS PIPELINE CO (EL PASO) |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_transmission |
Location
| State | |
| Coordinates | 37.89877, -84.06594 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | PREVIOUS DAMAGE DUE TO EXCAVATION ACTIVITY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $600 |
| Emergency Response | $1,000 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
TENNESSEE GAS PIPELINE (TGP) COMPANY'S GAS CONTROL BEGAN RECEIVING PHONE CALLS FROM LAND OWNERS ABOUT A PIPELINE RUPTURE IN THE COMMUNITY OF TRAPP NEAR CLAY CITY, KY, SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2011. RESPONDING TGP PERSONNEL DISCOVERED THAT A FAILURE HAD OCCURRED IN THE HOWARD CREEK CROSSING ON LINE 100-2 AT 105-2+3.70. POST INCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN USED A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AT THE CREEK CROSSING. MARKS ON THE PIPE INDICATED STRIKES BY THE EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT, LEAVING GOUGES ON THE PIPE'S SURFACE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS CONFIRMED THE INITIAL FIELD CONCLUSION THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE PIPE. THE FAILED PIPELINE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. SINCE IT IS NOT NEEDED FOR MAINTAINING SERVICE UNDER CURRENT LOAD DEMANDS, REPAIR IS DELAYED UNTIL OPPORTUNITY FOR FAVORABLE WEATHER.
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.