SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS CO
gas_transmission Incident — — January 6, 2013
Incident Information
| Incident Date | January 6, 2013 |
| Operator | SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS CO |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_transmission |
Location
| State | |
| Coordinates | 33.96101, -118.43703 |
Cause
| Cause | INCORRECT OPERATION |
| Subcause | OTHER INCORRECT OPERATION |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $650,000 |
| Emergency Response | $500 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
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.