ONEOK WESTEX TRANSMISSION, LLC

gas_transmission Incident — — April 26, 2011

Incident Information

Incident DateApril 26, 2011
OperatorONEOK WESTEX TRANSMISSION, LLC
CommodityNATURAL GAS
Pipeline Typegas_transmission

Location

State
Coordinates31.77944, -102.24111

Cause

CauseINCORRECT OPERATION
SubcauseOTHER INCORRECT OPERATION

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries0

Costs

Property Damage$96,092
Emergency Response$500
Other Costs$0

Location Map

Incident Narrative

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 26 APRIL 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 0815 HOURS WHEN GAS RELEASED THROUGH AN OPEN FLANGE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE COMPRESSOR AIR INTAKE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITED INSIDE THE TURBOCHARGER, WHICH THEN FAILED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE INVESTIGATION TO DATE INDICATES THAT ALL PROCESSES WERE NOT ADEQUATELY FOLLOWED BY THE PIPELINE OPERATOR. PURSUANT TO DOT REGULATIONS, THE PIPELINE OPERATOR WAS DISQUALIFIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE INVESTIGATION TO DATE INDICATES THAT A COMPRESSOR FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE THE INCIDENT. SUPPLEMENTAL: UPDATED NUMBER EVACUATED, EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION YEAR, INCIDENT COSTS, AND PRESSURE AT TIME OF INCIDENT. INTERNAL INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE TO FOLLOW APPROPRIATE OPERATING PROCEDURES AND WAS NOT ANY EQUIPMENT FAILURE.

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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