Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GTG incident on 2020-05-19 — TX
Operator
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
Cause
Material Failure Of Pipe Or Weld
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GTG
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$15,333,682
Incident datetime
2020-05-19 22:42
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
At approximately 7:55 pm on 5/19/2020, kinder morgan received an email from PHMSA. It stated that a private citizen reported to the nrc, that there were bubbles in the river near the tennessee gas pipeline company (tgp) - 500 system lines, located in plaquemines parish, louisiana, on the eastern side of the mississippi river. Tgp operations personnel started the gas leak investigation. At 10:30 pm, tgp confirmed the gas leak on line 500-1 and started the emergency response line (erl) protocol. The line was isolated and blown down. Tgp consulted with a dive company to survey line 500-1. However, the current river conditions prevents the diver from safely reaching and assessing the leak. Given these conditions on 5/27/2020, tgp hired t baker smith (tbs) to perform a sonar survey to map the leak location. On 6/15/2020, tgp received the final report from tbs. The initial assessment showed unsupported pipe exposure. This exposure could limit the running of a ili assessment in its current state as noted in section e8. Tgp is assessing the data in order to establish a path forward. The line will remain blown down and isolated until permanent repairs can be made. Temporary leak clamp has been installed to prevent water from entering the pipeline and will remain in place until permanent repair process is completed. Tgp is fabricating a structural clamp as a permanent repair. The structural clamp is projected to be installed by the end of 2022. Tgp will provide a supplemental report as project updates are obtained. Tgp placed the pipeline segment back in service august 16, 2024. Permanent repairs began on in mid-january 2024, work had to be delayed off and on due to river rise and currents which did not allow for safe working conditions. Work was completed in early june 2024 but purge and load activities in order to place the segment back in service were delayed due to other work in the vicinity of the segment. Leak testing was completed, and the segment was placed back in service on august 16, 2024. Through metallurgical analysis, the crack was determined to initiate from non-fusion of the root bead.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2020-06-17 00:00:00
Iyear
2020
Report Number
20200061
Supplemental Number
41167
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
19160
Name
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
Operator Street Address
1001 Louisiana St
Operator City Name
Houston
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77002
Local Datetime
2020-05-19 19:25:00
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Latitude
29.52178748
Location Longitude
-89.7205746
Nrc Rpt Num
1277681
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2020-05-19 23:28:00
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1277804
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
448
Intentional Release
1261
Accompanying Liquid
0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Status When Identified
Normal Operation, Includes Pauses During Maintenance
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2020-05-19 22:30:00
Restart Datetime
2024-08-16 14:00:00
Communication State Fed Ind
Yes
Party Initiated Communication
Operator
Initial Responder Com Datetime
2020-05-19 23:21:00
Ignite Ind
No
Upstream Action Taken
Valve Closure
Upstream Valve Close Datetime
2020-05-19 22:30:00
Downstream Action Taken
Valve Closure
Downstream Vlv Close Datetime
2020-05-19 22:30:00
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Incident Identified Datetime
2020-05-19 22:42:00
On Site Datetime
2020-05-20 12:34:00
Confirmed Discovery Datetime
2020-05-19 22:42:00
On Off Shore
Onshore
Onshore State Abbreviation
La
Onshore Postal Code
70082
Onshore City Name
Port Sulphur
Onshore County Name
Plaquemines
Designated Location
Milepost
Designated Name
527-1 + 0.675
Pipe Fac Name
Tgp 500 System
Segment Name
500-1
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Loss Of Cover
Depth Of Cover
1
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
Yes
Water Crossing Ind
Yes
Water Type
Uncased
Water Name
Mississippi River
Water Depth
98
Water Subtype
Below Water, Pipe Buried Below Bottom (Not In Bored/drilled Crossing)
Crossing 100 Feet
Yes
Pipe Facility Type
Interstate
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
Item Involved
Pipe
Pipe Type
Pipe Body
Pipe Diameter
30
Puddle Weld Ind
No
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.656
Pipe Smys
52000
Pipe Specification
Api-5lx
Pipe Seam Type
Dsaw
Pipe Manufacturer
National Tube
Pipe Coating Type
Other
Pipe Coating Details
Somastic
Coating Applied Ind
No
Installation Year
1959
Manufactured Year
1959
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Crack
Class Location Type
Class 1 Location
Could Be Hca
No
Pir Radius
695
Heat Damage Ind
No
Non Heat Damage Ind
No
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
829
Est Cost Intentional Release
2333
Est Cost Prop Damage
15333682
Est Cost Emergency
100
Est Cost Other
0
Gas Cost In Mcf
1.85
Prpty
15336944
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0
Num Resident Building Affctd
0
Num Business Building Affctd
0
Wildlife Impact Ind
No
Accident Psig
814
Gas Flow In Pipe In Mcf
7000
Mop Psig
1000
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(2)
Maop Established Date
1959-11-02 00:00:00
Maop Reversal Flow Ind
No
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Gas Required Odorized Ind
No
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Remotely Controlled
Length Segment Isolated
5064
Internal Inspection Ind
Yes
Operation Complications Ind
Yes
Other Complications Ind
Yes
Inspect Comp Details
Identified Exposure May Limit Ili Run
Pipeline Function
Transmission System
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
No
Scada Conf Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Public
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
There was no indication that any actions on the part of the controller contributed to the incident.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Material Failure Of Pipe Or Weld
Cause Details
Design-, Construction-, Installation-, Or Fabrication-Related
Pwjf Failure Type
Design-, Construction-, Installation-, Or Fabrication-Related
Metallurgical Ind
Yes
Additional Crack Ind
Yes
Additional Lack Fusion Ind
Yes
Post Constr Pressure Test Val
1000
Collected Data Ind
Yes
Axial Magnetic Flx Lkg Ind
Yes
Cir Trn Wave Mgn Flx Lkg Ind
Yes
Geometry Deformation Ind
Yes
Axial Recent Year
2007
Axial Rcnt Propul Method
Free Swimming
Axial Rcnt Attuned Detect
Metal Loss
Axial Rcnt Atnd Dtct Metal
High Resolution
Circ Wave Recent Year
2024
Circ Wv Rcnt Propul Method
Free Swimming
Circ Wv Rcnt Resolution
High Resolution
Geometry Recent Year
2024
Geometry Rcnt Propul Method
Free Swimming
Geometry Rcnt Resolution
High Resolution
Geometrt Rcnt Measur Cups
No Cups
Geometry Previous Year
2007
Geometry Prev Propul Method
Free Swimming
Geometry Prev Resolution
Standard Resolution
Geometrt Prev Measur Cups
No Cups
Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind
No
Direct Asmnt Conducted
No
Non Destructive Exam Ind
No
Preparer Name
G****** D****
Preparer Email
G************@k***********.com
Authorizer Name
Z*** R*****
Authorizer Title
Director Engineering - Codes And Compliance
Authorizer Telephone
(832) 919-0774
Authorizer Email
Z**********@k***********.com
Narrative
At approximately 7:55 pm on 5/19/2020, kinder morgan received an email from PHMSA. It stated that a private citizen reported to the nrc, that there were bubbles in the river near the tennessee gas pipeline company (tgp) - 500 system lines, located in plaquemines parish, louisiana, on the eastern side of the mississippi river. Tgp operations personnel started the gas leak investigation. At 10:30 pm, tgp confirmed the gas leak on line 500-1 and started the emergency response line (erl) protocol. The line was isolated and blown down. Tgp consulted with a dive company to survey line 500-1. However, the current river conditions prevents the diver from safely reaching and assessing the leak. Given these conditions on 5/27/2020, tgp hired t baker smith (tbs) to perform a sonar survey to map the leak location. On 6/15/2020, tgp received the final report from tbs. The initial assessment showed unsupported pipe exposure. This exposure could limit the running of a ili assessment in its current state as noted in section e8. Tgp is assessing the data in order to establish a path forward. The line will remain blown down and isolated until permanent repairs can be made. Temporary leak clamp has been installed to prevent water from entering the pipeline and will remain in place until permanent repair process is completed. Tgp is fabricating a structural clamp as a permanent repair. The structural clamp is projected to be installed by the end of 2022. Tgp will provide a supplemental report as project updates are obtained. Tgp placed the pipeline segment back in service august 16, 2024. Permanent repairs began on in mid-january 2024, work had to be delayed off and on due to river rise and currents which did not allow for safe working conditions. Work was completed in early june 2024 but purge and load activities in order to place the segment back in service were delayed due to other work in the vicinity of the segment. Leak testing was completed, and the segment was placed back in service on august 16, 2024. Through metallurgical analysis, the crack was determined to initiate from non-fusion of the root bead.
| Report Received Date | 2020-06-17 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2020 |
| Report Number | 20200061 |
| Supplemental Number | 41167 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 19160 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company |
| Operator Street Address | 1001 Louisiana St |
| Operator City Name | Houston |
| Operator State Abbreviation | TX |
| Operator Postal Code | 77002 |
| Local Datetime | 2020-05-19 19:25:00 |
| Time Zone | Central |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Latitude | 29.52178748 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -89.7205746 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1277681 NRC Report How to search |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2020-05-19 23:28:00 |
| Additional Nrc Report Numbers | 1277804 |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 448 |
| Intentional Release | 1261 |
| Accompanying Liquid | 0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Status When Identified | Normal Operation, Includes Pauses During Maintenance |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2020-05-19 22:30:00 |
| Restart Datetime | 2024-08-16 14:00:00 |
| Communication State Fed Ind | Yes |
| Party Initiated Communication | Operator |
| Initial Responder Com Datetime | 2020-05-19 23:21:00 |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Upstream Action Taken | Valve Closure |
| Upstream Valve Close Datetime | 2020-05-19 22:30:00 |
| Downstream Action Taken | Valve Closure |
| Downstream Vlv Close Datetime | 2020-05-19 22:30:00 |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2020-05-19 22:42:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2020-05-20 12:34:00 |
| Confirmed Discovery Datetime | 2020-05-19 22:42:00 |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | La |
| Onshore Postal Code | 70082 |
| Onshore City Name | Port Sulphur |
| Onshore County Name | Plaquemines |
| Designated Location | Milepost |
| Designated Name | 527-1 + 0.675 |
| Pipe Fac Name | Tgp 500 System |
| Segment Name | 500-1 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Loss Of Cover |
| Depth Of Cover | 1 |
| Other Underground Facilities | No |
| Crossing | Yes |
| Water Crossing Ind | Yes |
| Water Type | Uncased |
| Water Name | Mississippi River |
| Water Depth | 98 |
| Water Subtype | Below Water, Pipe Buried Below Bottom (Not In Bored/drilled Crossing) |
| Crossing 100 Feet | Yes |
| Pipe Facility Type | Interstate |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| Item Involved | Pipe |
| Pipe Type | Pipe Body |
| Pipe Diameter | 30 |
| Puddle Weld Ind | No |
| Pipe Wall Thickness | 0.656 |
| Pipe Smys | 52000 |
| Pipe Specification | Api-5lx |
| Pipe Seam Type | Dsaw |
| Pipe Manufacturer | National Tube |
| Pipe Coating Type | Other |
| Pipe Coating Details | Somastic |
| Coating Applied Ind | No |
| Installation Year | 1959 |
| Manufactured Year | 1959 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Crack |
| Class Location Type | Class 1 Location |
| Could Be Hca | No |
| Pir Radius | 695 |
| Heat Damage Ind | No |
| Non Heat Damage Ind | No |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 829 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 2333 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 15333682 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 100 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 1.85 |
| Prpty | 15336944 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 0 |
| Wildlife Impact Ind | No |
| Accident Psig | 814 |
| Gas Flow In Pipe In Mcf | 7000 |
| Mop Psig | 1000 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(2) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 1959-11-02 00:00:00 |
| Maop Reversal Flow Ind | No |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Gas Required Odorized Ind | No |
| Upstream Valve Type Ind | Manual |
| Downstream Valve Type Ind | Remotely Controlled |
| Length Segment Isolated | 5064 |
| Internal Inspection Ind | Yes |
| Operation Complications Ind | Yes |
| Other Complications Ind | Yes |
| Inspect Comp Details | Identified Exposure May Limit Ili Run |
| Pipeline Function | Transmission System |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | No |
| Scada Conf Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Public |
| 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 | There was no indication that any actions on the part of the controller contributed to the incident. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Material Failure Of Pipe Or Weld |
| Cause Details | Design-, Construction-, Installation-, Or Fabrication-Related |
| Pwjf Failure Type | Design-, Construction-, Installation-, Or Fabrication-Related |
| Metallurgical Ind | Yes |
| Additional Crack Ind | Yes |
| Additional Lack Fusion Ind | Yes |
| Post Constr Pressure Test Val | 1000 |
| Collected Data Ind | Yes |
| Axial Magnetic Flx Lkg Ind | Yes |
| Cir Trn Wave Mgn Flx Lkg Ind | Yes |
| Geometry Deformation Ind | Yes |
| Axial Recent Year | 2007 |
| Axial Rcnt Propul Method | Free Swimming |
| Axial Rcnt Attuned Detect | Metal Loss |
| Axial Rcnt Atnd Dtct Metal | High Resolution |
| Circ Wave Recent Year | 2024 |
| Circ Wv Rcnt Propul Method | Free Swimming |
| Circ Wv Rcnt Resolution | High Resolution |
| Geometry Recent Year | 2024 |
| Geometry Rcnt Propul Method | Free Swimming |
| Geometry Rcnt Resolution | High Resolution |
| Geometrt Rcnt Measur Cups | No Cups |
| Geometry Previous Year | 2007 |
| Geometry Prev Propul Method | Free Swimming |
| Geometry Prev Resolution | Standard Resolution |
| Geometrt Prev Measur Cups | No Cups |
| Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind | No |
| Direct Asmnt Conducted | No |
| Non Destructive Exam Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | G****** D**** |
| Preparer Email | G************@k***********.com |
| Authorizer Name | Z*** R***** |
| Authorizer Title | Director Engineering - Codes And Compliance |
| Authorizer Telephone | (832) 919-0774 |
| Authorizer Email | Z**********@k***********.com |
| Narrative | At approximately 7:55 pm on 5/19/2020, kinder morgan received an email from PHMSA. It stated that a private citizen reported to the nrc, that there were bubbles in the river near the tennessee gas pipeline company (tgp) - 500 system lines, located in plaquemines parish, louisiana, on the eastern side of the mississippi river. Tgp operations personnel started the gas leak investigation. At 10:30 pm, tgp confirmed the gas leak on line 500-1 and started the emergency response line (erl) protocol. The line was isolated and blown down. Tgp consulted with a dive company to survey line 500-1. However, the current river conditions prevents the diver from safely reaching and assessing the leak. Given these conditions on 5/27/2020, tgp hired t baker smith (tbs) to perform a sonar survey to map the leak location. On 6/15/2020, tgp received the final report from tbs. The initial assessment showed unsupported pipe exposure. This exposure could limit the running of a ili assessment in its current state as noted in section e8. Tgp is assessing the data in order to establish a path forward. The line will remain blown down and isolated until permanent repairs can be made. Temporary leak clamp has been installed to prevent water from entering the pipeline and will remain in place until permanent repair process is completed. Tgp is fabricating a structural clamp as a permanent repair. The structural clamp is projected to be installed by the end of 2022. Tgp will provide a supplemental report as project updates are obtained. Tgp placed the pipeline segment back in service august 16, 2024. Permanent repairs began on in mid-january 2024, work had to be delayed off and on due to river rise and currents which did not allow for safe working conditions. Work was completed in early june 2024 but purge and load activities in order to place the segment back in service were delayed due to other work in the vicinity of the segment. Leak testing was completed, and the segment was placed back in service on august 16, 2024. Through metallurgical analysis, the crack was determined to initiate from non-fusion of the root bead. |
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