MADISONVILLE GAS SYSTEM
gas_distribution Incident — COVINGTON, LA — November 1, 2017
Incident Information
| Incident Date | November 1, 2017 |
| Operator | MADISONVILLE GAS SYSTEM |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | COVINGTON |
| State | LA |
| County | ST. TAMMANY |
| Coordinates | 30.42361, -90.11687 |
Cause
| Cause | INCORRECT OPERATION |
| Subcause | OTHER INCORRECT OPERATION |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $5,000 |
| Emergency Response | $5,000 |
| Other Costs | $5,000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"10/30/2017 KIRK OSTENDORF CALLED OUT TO VALVE LEAKING AT MISTLETOE AND PINECREST DR. 10/31/2017 KIRK, KYLE MATTHEWS, AND TROY HALEY GREASED THE VALVE AND IT STOPPED LEAKING. THAT NIGHT THE VALVE STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. 11/1/2017 KIRK, TROY, HUEY BYERS DUG UP THE VALVE TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. AS THEY EXCAVATED THE DIRT FROM AROUND THE VALVE IT GRADUALLY STARTED LEAKING MORE AND MORE UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY CRACKED OPEN. BRYAN RAIFORD AND JOHN MORSE CAME OUT TO HELP. WE DECIDED TO CUT THE BLOWING VALVE OUT AND SLIDE ON A COMPRESSION COUPLING TO STOP THE FLOW OF GAS. IN THE PROCESS THE GAS IGNITED. KIRK, HUEY, TROY, BRYAN, AND JOHN WERE INJURED. I THEN CUT OFF GAS TO THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 375 CUSTOMERS. I NOTIFIED WAYNE STEWART AND THE NRC. ALL EMPLOYEES WERE DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL WITHIN A FEW HOURS. WE THEN LOCKED OFF ALL CUSTOMER METERS. FELICIANA WELDERS REPAIRED THE BROKEN SECTION WITH A NEW VALVE AND SECTION OF PIPE. STARTED RE CONNECTING SERVICE ON 11/2/2017 AT 10:00. ALSO JUST WANTED TO STATE THAT THE EMPLOYEE WHO HAD A POSITIVE DRUG SCREEN WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS ADMINISTERED MORPHINE BEFORE THE DRUG SCREEN WAS ADMINISTERED. THE MEDICAL RECORDS PROVIDE THIS TIMELINE."
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.