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18,000 pipeline "incidents" in Texas last year

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Take your meds and sit down before you read this:

Last year there were $18,000 "incidents" where someone digging hit a pipeline. State one call lines get between 1.7 million and 1.8 million calls for line locations each year.

How Common Are Gas Line Accidents In Texas?

"And, with that 1.7, 1.8 million line locates a year unfortunately there are about 18,000 incidents," said Michael Williams, head of the Texas Railroad Commission.

State figures show accidents with gas distribution lines reported to the RRC skyrocketing as natural gas production peaked, up from 143 distribution line accidents in 2004 to 305 accidents in 2006.

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    Most of the gathering lines (no odor) will come a lot closer to homes than the pad sites themselves. Is there a state law or a setback on unoderized gathering lines?

  3. David says

    I'm starting to think Texas does not have any state regulatory agencies that have NOT been corrupted by BIG BUSINESS POLITICS. No regulations that may add to the cost to BIG BUSINESS, screw worker and public safety!

  4. Mike H. says

    If it's 18,000 *documented* hits, then how many unreported hits on pipelines take place each year? Such hits the dent/gouge pipelines/pipeline coatings are time bombs! The only way to find unreported pipeline hits is smart pigging, but I doubt the TRRC requires it.

    Some pipeline failures caused by previous excavation damage, that caused delayed failures, from the NTSB:

    Pipeline Accident Brief: Anhydrous Ammonia Pipeline Rupture Near Kingman, Kansas, October 27, 2004

    Pipeline Accident Report: Pipeline Rupture and Release of Gasoline, Olympic Pipeline Company, Bellingham, Washington, June 10, 1999

    Hazardous Liquid Pipe Failure and Leak, Marathon Ashland Pipe Line, LLC Winchester, Kentucky, January 27, 2000

    Release of Hazardous Liquid Near Gramercy, Louisiana, May 23, 1996

    Mid-America Pipeline System Liquefied Petroleum Gas Pipeline Rupture and Fire, Donnellson, Iowa, August 4, 1978.

    AND; That's just the ones the NTSB has looked into. Many more such accidents happen each year from delayed pipeline damage.