MONTANA - DAKOTA UTILITIES CO
gas_distribution Incident — SHERIDAN, WY — November 23, 2016
Incident Information
| Incident Date | November 23, 2016 |
| Operator | MONTANA - DAKOTA UTILITIES CO |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | SHERIDAN |
| State | WY |
| County | SHERIDAN |
| Coordinates | 44.80869, -106.97419 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $4,500 |
| Emergency Response | $1,500 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
EXCAVATION SUB-CONTRACTORS DANIELS INC. WAS EXCAVATING IN THE AREA TO CONNECT A STORM SEWER SYSTEM WITH A LARGE EXCAVATOR WHEN THEY DUG THROUGH THE LIVE 3-PHASE ELECTRICAL PRIMARY AND 3 INCH PE GAS SERVICE FEEDING THE HOSPITAL. THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE GAS AND ELECTRICAL SERVICES CAUSED AN ESCAPE OF GAS AND EVENTUALLY A FIRE. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE VACATED EXCAVATOR BEFORE THE FIRE COULD BE CONTROLLED BY FIRST RESPONDERS. MDU DID NOT HAVE AN INSPECTOR ON SITE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
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.