Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2017-03-29 — RI
Operator
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp
Cause
Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$875,000
Incident datetime
2017-03-29 19:59
Report number
Location
RI, PROVIDENCE
Narrative
**supplemental report issued on august 14, 2020 to provide actual environmental remediation costs and to update the apparent cause section, part g3. *** on march 29, 2017 there was an emergency response to an uncontrolled release of gas from 12 inch, 99 psig steel pipeline at 30 allens ave, providence ri this subsequently resulted in unplanned supply interruption. What happened: gas control pressure alarms initiated emergency response with gas instrumentation & regulation (I&r) at 7:59 pm. Ri gas dispatch initiated cms response based on numerous odor calls at 8:05 pm. Providence lng initiated response activities after low pressure reading during rounds at 8:00 pm the release was controlled at 11:16 pm. Cms completed 59 shutoffs at 3:11 am on 3/30/17, c&m completed repairs at 3:30 am on 3/30/17, cms began relights at 3:40 am on 3/30/17. A 12 inch dresser coupling failed by separation allowing two 12 inch 99 psig pipe segments to be pulled apart. Root cause: there was insufficient support of a live gas main due to the fact that the earth was removed during construction activity allowing vibration and pressure to pull the segments out from the coupling. Contributing factors: march, 2017 - enbridge excavated around a pressurized 99 psig outlet main in preparation of tie-in for outlet piping for the newly constructed crary st gate station. The piping was left insufficiently supported in excavation. Removal of two 750 to 99 psig regulator runs allowed a piping header to shift and allow piping to move out of alignment, further adding to the forces acting to pull the segments from the coupling piping change in 2005 utilized unrestrained, short-barrel, insulating dresser couplings use of mechanical coupling; design & material choice unrestrained mechanical coupling used as permanent method of joining two pipe segments. Construction activity around a pressurized 99 psig main conducted with insufficient safeguards. Enbridge proceeded with tie-in excavation while 99 psig main was still in service.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2017-03-29 19:59:00
Year
2017
Report Received Date
2017-04-28 00:00:00
Iyear
2017.0
Report Number
20170039.0
Supplemental Number
34154.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
13480
Name
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp
Operator Street Address
300 Erie Boulevard West
Operator City Name
Syracuse
Operator State Abbreviation
NY
Operator Postal Code
13202
Local Datetime
2017-03-29 19:59:00
Location Street Address
30 Allens Avenue
Location City Name
Providence
Location County Name
Providence
Location State Abbreviation
RI
Location Postal Code
02905
Location Latitude
41.813932
Location Longitude
-71.406001
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2017-03-29 22:56:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1174380
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
19000.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
30.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2017-03-29 19:59:00
On Site Datetime
2017-03-29 20:39:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Private Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Other
Incident Area Details
Exposed Coupling
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Privately Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
2005.0
Pipe Diameter
12.0
Pipe Specification
Api 5l X42
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Other
Steel Seam Type Details
Unknown
Wt Steel
0.25
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Connection Failure
Class Location Type
Class 4 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
25000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
875000.0
Est Cost Emergency
12000.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
59028.0
Prpty
971028.0
Commercial Affected
53.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
0.0
Accident Psig
90.0
Normal Psig
90.0
Mop Psig
99.0
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
Yes
Scada Conf Ind
Yes
Accident Identifier
Controller
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Investigation Status
No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate)
Investigation Status Details
This is a mechanical failure of on exposed pipe not related to any activities within the control room. Controllers actions did not contribute to the incident.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure
Cause Details
Mechanical Joint Failure
Pwjf Failure Type
Mechanical Joint Failure
Mec Fitting Involved
Other Compression Type Fitting
Mec Fitting Invlvd Dtl
Insulating Mechanical Coupling
Mec Fitting Type
Coupling
Mec Manufacturer
Dresser
Mec Fitting Material
Other
Mec Fitting Material Detail
Materials Joined: 1st Steel, 2nd Steel
Additional Other Ind
Yes
Additional Factor Details
Loss Of Support Due To Third Party Encroachment, As Performed By A Conractor Of Enbridge, The Natural Gas Supply Company. This Was Done Outside Of The Public Right Of Way.
Result Construction Ind
Yes
Result Construction Subtype
Procedure Not Followed
Hydrotest Conducted Ind
No
Preparer Name
M****** G********
Preparer Title
Principal Engineer
Preparer Email
M****************@n***********.com
Preparer Telephone
7189635577
Authorizer Name
C****** B*****
Authorizer Title
Prin. Program Mgr Regulatory Management Of Change
Authorizer Telephone
5164924469
Authorizer Email
C*************@n***********.com
Narrative
**supplemental report issued on august 14, 2020 to provide actual environmental remediation costs and to update the apparent cause section, part g3. *** on march 29, 2017 there was an emergency response to an uncontrolled release of gas from 12 inch, 99 psig steel pipeline at 30 allens ave, providence ri this subsequently resulted in unplanned supply interruption. What happened: gas control pressure alarms initiated emergency response with gas instrumentation & regulation (I&r) at 7:59 pm. Ri gas dispatch initiated cms response based on numerous odor calls at 8:05 pm. Providence lng initiated response activities after low pressure reading during rounds at 8:00 pm the release was controlled at 11:16 pm. Cms completed 59 shutoffs at 3:11 am on 3/30/17, c&m completed repairs at 3:30 am on 3/30/17, cms began relights at 3:40 am on 3/30/17. A 12 inch dresser coupling failed by separation allowing two 12 inch 99 psig pipe segments to be pulled apart. Root cause: there was insufficient support of a live gas main due to the fact that the earth was removed during construction activity allowing vibration and pressure to pull the segments out from the coupling. Contributing factors: march, 2017 - enbridge excavated around a pressurized 99 psig outlet main in preparation of tie-in for outlet piping for the newly constructed crary st gate station. The piping was left insufficiently supported in excavation. Removal of two 750 to 99 psig regulator runs allowed a piping header to shift and allow piping to move out of alignment, further adding to the forces acting to pull the segments from the coupling piping change in 2005 utilized unrestrained, short-barrel, insulating dresser couplings use of mechanical coupling; design & material choice unrestrained mechanical coupling used as permanent method of joining two pipe segments. Construction activity around a pressurized 99 psig main conducted with insufficient safeguards. Enbridge proceeded with tie-in excavation while 99 psig main was still in service.
| Occurred At | 2017-03-29 19:59:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2017 |
| Report Received Date | 2017-04-28 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2017.0 |
| Report Number | 20170039.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 34154.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 13480 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Niagara Mohawk Power Corp |
| Operator Street Address | 300 Erie Boulevard West |
| Operator City Name | Syracuse |
| Operator State Abbreviation | NY |
| Operator Postal Code | 13202 |
| Local Datetime | 2017-03-29 19:59:00 |
| Location Street Address | 30 Allens Avenue |
| Location City Name | Providence |
| Location County Name | Providence |
| Location State Abbreviation | RI |
| Location Postal Code | 02905 |
| Location Latitude | 41.813932 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -71.406001 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2017-03-29 22:56:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1174380 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 19000.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 30.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2017-03-29 19:59:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2017-03-29 20:39:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Private Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Other |
| Incident Area Details | Exposed Coupling |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Privately Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 2005.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 12.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Api 5l X42 |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Steel Seam Type | Other |
| Steel Seam Type Details | Unknown |
| Wt Steel | 0.25 |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Connection Failure |
| Class Location Type | Class 4 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 25000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 875000.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 12000.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 59028.0 |
| Prpty | 971028.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 53.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 0.0 |
| Accident Psig | 90.0 |
| Normal Psig | 90.0 |
| Mop Psig | 99.0 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | Yes |
| Scada Conf Ind | Yes |
| Accident Identifier | Controller |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Investigation Status | No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate) |
| Investigation Status Details | This is a mechanical failure of on exposed pipe not related to any activities within the control room. Controllers actions did not contribute to the incident. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure |
| Cause Details | Mechanical Joint Failure |
| Pwjf Failure Type | Mechanical Joint Failure |
| Mec Fitting Involved | Other Compression Type Fitting |
| Mec Fitting Invlvd Dtl | Insulating Mechanical Coupling |
| Mec Fitting Type | Coupling |
| Mec Manufacturer | Dresser |
| Mec Fitting Material | Other |
| Mec Fitting Material Detail | Materials Joined: 1st Steel, 2nd Steel |
| Additional Other Ind | Yes |
| Additional Factor Details | Loss Of Support Due To Third Party Encroachment, As Performed By A Conractor Of Enbridge, The Natural Gas Supply Company. This Was Done Outside Of The Public Right Of Way. |
| Result Construction Ind | Yes |
| Result Construction Subtype | Procedure Not Followed |
| Hydrotest Conducted Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | M****** G******** |
| Preparer Title | Principal Engineer |
| Preparer Email | M****************@n***********.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 7189635577 |
| Authorizer Name | C****** B***** |
| Authorizer Title | Prin. Program Mgr Regulatory Management Of Change |
| Authorizer Telephone | 5164924469 |
| Authorizer Email | C*************@n***********.com |
| Narrative | **supplemental report issued on august 14, 2020 to provide actual environmental remediation costs and to update the apparent cause section, part g3. *** on march 29, 2017 there was an emergency response to an uncontrolled release of gas from 12 inch, 99 psig steel pipeline at 30 allens ave, providence ri this subsequently resulted in unplanned supply interruption. What happened: gas control pressure alarms initiated emergency response with gas instrumentation & regulation (I&r) at 7:59 pm. Ri gas dispatch initiated cms response based on numerous odor calls at 8:05 pm. Providence lng initiated response activities after low pressure reading during rounds at 8:00 pm the release was controlled at 11:16 pm. Cms completed 59 shutoffs at 3:11 am on 3/30/17, c&m completed repairs at 3:30 am on 3/30/17, cms began relights at 3:40 am on 3/30/17. A 12 inch dresser coupling failed by separation allowing two 12 inch 99 psig pipe segments to be pulled apart. Root cause: there was insufficient support of a live gas main due to the fact that the earth was removed during construction activity allowing vibration and pressure to pull the segments out from the coupling. Contributing factors: march, 2017 - enbridge excavated around a pressurized 99 psig outlet main in preparation of tie-in for outlet piping for the newly constructed crary st gate station. The piping was left insufficiently supported in excavation. Removal of two 750 to 99 psig regulator runs allowed a piping header to shift and allow piping to move out of alignment, further adding to the forces acting to pull the segments from the coupling piping change in 2005 utilized unrestrained, short-barrel, insulating dresser couplings use of mechanical coupling; design & material choice unrestrained mechanical coupling used as permanent method of joining two pipe segments. Construction activity around a pressurized 99 psig main conducted with insufficient safeguards. Enbridge proceeded with tie-in excavation while 99 psig main was still in service. |
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