CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION
gas_distribution Incident — SPRING, TX — March 5, 2021
Incident Information
| Incident Date | March 5, 2021 |
| Operator | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | SPRING |
| State | TX |
| County | HARRIS |
| Coordinates | 30.03053, -95.56556 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 3 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $166,000 |
| Emergency Response | $45,000 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"A CABLE CONTRACTOR, TEXAS BEST LLC, (WORKING UNDER EXPIRED LOCATE TICKETS), CONDUCTING DIRECTIONAL DRILLING OPERATIONS DAMAGED CENTERPOINT ENERGY'S 2"" INCH PLASTIC MAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 10:28AM ON MARCH 5, 2021. ESCAPING GAS FROM THIRD-PARTY DAMAGE IGNITED AS CENTERPOINT ENERGY EMPLOYEES WERE WORKING IN A REMOTE BELL-HOLE TO STOP THE LEAK. SIX EMPLOYEES WERE INJURED, WITH THREE REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE IGNITION EVENT IS UNDERWAY."" AFTER SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT GAS ESCAPING FROM THE DAMAGED TWO INCH PLASTIC MAIN MIGRATED TO THE REMOTE BELL-HOLE. WHILE EXPANDING THE BELL-HOLE CENTERPOINT CREW UTILIZING MECHANICAL EXCAVATION DAMAGED A (120 VOLT) STREET LIGHT CABLE WHICH RESULTED IN IGNITION OF MIGRATING GAS. THE RADIANT HEAT FROM THE BURNING GAS MELTED THE ALREADY EXPOSED SIX INCH PLASTIC MAIN THAT WAS IN THE BELL-HOLE."
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.