SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS CO

gas_transmission Incident — — October 28, 2010

Incident Information

Incident DateOctober 28, 2010
OperatorSOUTHERN NATURAL GAS CO
CommodityNATURAL GAS
Pipeline Typegas_transmission

Location

State
Coordinates32.42583, -88.04028

Cause

CauseOTHER INCIDENT CAUSE
SubcauseMISCELLANEOUS

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries0

Costs

Property Damage$200,000
Emergency Response$30,000
Other Costs$0

Location Map

Incident Narrative

"A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC NOTIFIED SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS (SNG) COMPANY'S GAS CONTROL OF A LOUD BLOWING SOUND IN THE VICINITY OF SNG'S LIVINSTON (AL) REGULATOR STATION. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE, SNG OPERATIONS PERSONNEL FOUND THE REGULATOR STATION BUILDING AND PIPING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SURROUNDING GRASS WAS ALSO BURNING. PERSONNEL CLOSED THE STATION'S TAP VALVES TO STOP FUEL FLOW TO THE FIRE. LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIREMEN ASSISTED THE COMPANY PERSONNEL IN EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. TEMPORARY SERVICE WAS RESTORED TO THE TOWN OF LIVINGSTON. POST INCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE TO BE A CONCENTRATION OF NATURAL GAS, VENTED FROM CONTROL EQUIPMENT DESIGNED TO DO SO, INSIDE THE REGULATOR BUILDING DUE TO LACK OF VENTILATION. THE GAS IGNITED FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE ALTHOUGH POSSIBLE SOURCES COULD HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR LIGHTNING."

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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