Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2021-05-22 — NE
Operator
Black Hills Energy
Cause
Excavation Issue
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$10,000
Incident datetime
2021-05-22 09:39
Report number
Location
NE, LANCASTER
Narrative
Road and bridge work were being done by k2 construction for the city of lincoln ne on the n 27th street bridge crossing salt creek. Black hills energy (bhe) has a 6-inch steel distribution main attached and supported under the bridge. K2 construction had an 811 locate ticket to do excavate at this location. This main was accurately located by bhe prior to the incident. The main transitioned from the bridge to go underground on the north side where it was hit. Prior to incident, bhe was preparing to install stopple fittings and valves on the north and south side of this bridge crossing. The intent was to be able to isolate the section of main on the bridge to allow a quick and safe way to stop gas flow if any damage occurred during bridge repair. K2 construction was aware of the gas main on the north side and bhe's effort to install valves did not wait for bhe to finish installation. On saturday may 22nd, k2 construction continued with this project and dug in the tolerance zone with an excavator directly over the pipeline. This punctured the 6-inch main causing a 1.5-inch by 3-inch hole allowing blowing natural gas to escape to atmosphere. 911 was called by the excavator and lincoln police and fire department came on scene to control traffic and offer support for bhe throughout the incident. Bhe arrived with personnel to safely monitor, control the blowing gas, and make repairs. A nebraska state fire marshal deputy inspector also responded to this incident to monitor and investigate. Stopple fittings were welded on the south and north side of the bridge to stop flow of gas. A bypass was installed to maintain gas supply to a large residential area north of the bridge. Once the bypass was completed, the stopples were inserted to stop the blowing gas. Gas blew for approximately 14 hours and the area was monitored by bhe and fire department personnel throughout the incident until repairs could be made. The damaged section of main was replaced, pipeline re-pressured and bypass removed. Poor excavation practices resulted in the incident.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2021-05-22 09:39:00
Year
2021
Report Received Date
2021-06-22 00:00:00
Iyear
2021.0
Report Number
20210057.0
Supplemental Number
35419.0
Report Type
Original Final
Operator Id
15359
Name
Black Hills Energy
Operator Street Address
2287 College Road Po Box 2006
Operator City Name
Council Bluffs
Operator State Abbreviation
IA
Operator Postal Code
51502
Local Datetime
2021-05-28 08:30:00
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Street Address
N 27th St And Fairfield St
Location City Name
Lincoln
Location County Name
Lancaster
Location State Abbreviation
NE
Location Postal Code
68521
Location Latitude
40.8473585
Location Longitude
-96.6822531
Flow Cont Stopple Fitng Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2021-05-28 09:04:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1306246
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
4033.49
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
2.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2021-05-22 09:39:00
Communication State Fed Ind
Yes
Party Initiated Communication
Local/state/federal Emergency Responder
Initial Responder Com Datetime
2021-05-22 10:20:00
On Site Datetime
2021-05-22 10:20:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Public Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
36.0
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
Yes
Bridge Crossing Ind
Yes
Bridge Type
Uncased
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
1986.0
Pipe Diameter
6.0
Pipe Specification
Unknown
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Seamless
Wt Steel
0.156
Release Type
Mechanical Puncture
Puncture Axial
1.5
Puncture Circum
3.0
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
0.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
10000.0
Est Cost Emergency
10000.0
Est Cost Other
1000.0
Est Cost Other Details
All Costs Of Repair Have Not Been Fully Estimated
Gas Cost In Mcf
4.3972
Est Cost Unintentional Release
17736.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
38736.0
Commercial Affected
1.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
9.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
0.0
Num Business Building Affctd
1.0
Accident Psig
70.0
Normal Psig
70.0
Mop Psig
74.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(1)
Maop Established Date
1986-08-28 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Combination Of Odorization Types
Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind
Yes
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Third Party That Caused The Incident
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
The control room was not a factor in this excavation damage
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Excavation Damage
Cause Details
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Ex Party Type
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Prior Notification Ind
Yes
One Call System Ind
Yes
Excavator Ind
Yes
State Law Exempt Ind
No
Notify Cga Dirt
No
Public Row Ind
Yes
Public Subtype
City Street
Excavator Type
Contractor
Excavator Equipment
Backhoe/trackhoe
Work Performed
Road Work
One Call Notified Ind
Yes
One Call Ticket Num
211303017
Locator Type
Contract Locator
Visible Marks
Yes
Service Interruption
Yes
Service Interruption Hours
12.0
Root Cause Category
Excavation Issue
Root Cause Type
Excavator Failed To Maintain Clearance After Verifying Marks
Preparer Name
T** D********
Preparer Title
Pipeline Safety Professional
Preparer Email
T************@b*************.com
Preparer Telephone
402 858 3602
Local Contact Name
S*** A* P*******
Authorizer Name
T** D********
Authorizer Title
Pipeline Safety Professional
Authorizer Telephone
402 858 3602
Authorizer Email
T************@b*************.com
Narrative
Road and bridge work were being done by k2 construction for the city of lincoln ne on the n 27th street bridge crossing salt creek. Black hills energy (bhe) has a 6-inch steel distribution main attached and supported under the bridge. K2 construction had an 811 locate ticket to do excavate at this location. This main was accurately located by bhe prior to the incident. The main transitioned from the bridge to go underground on the north side where it was hit. Prior to incident, bhe was preparing to install stopple fittings and valves on the north and south side of this bridge crossing. The intent was to be able to isolate the section of main on the bridge to allow a quick and safe way to stop gas flow if any damage occurred during bridge repair. K2 construction was aware of the gas main on the north side and bhe's effort to install valves did not wait for bhe to finish installation. On saturday may 22nd, k2 construction continued with this project and dug in the tolerance zone with an excavator directly over the pipeline. This punctured the 6-inch main causing a 1.5-inch by 3-inch hole allowing blowing natural gas to escape to atmosphere. 911 was called by the excavator and lincoln police and fire department came on scene to control traffic and offer support for bhe throughout the incident. Bhe arrived with personnel to safely monitor, control the blowing gas, and make repairs. A nebraska state fire marshal deputy inspector also responded to this incident to monitor and investigate. Stopple fittings were welded on the south and north side of the bridge to stop flow of gas. A bypass was installed to maintain gas supply to a large residential area north of the bridge. Once the bypass was completed, the stopples were inserted to stop the blowing gas. Gas blew for approximately 14 hours and the area was monitored by bhe and fire department personnel throughout the incident until repairs could be made. The damaged section of main was replaced, pipeline re-pressured and bypass removed. Poor excavation practices resulted in the incident.
| Occurred At | 2021-05-22 09:39:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2021 |
| Report Received Date | 2021-06-22 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2021.0 |
| Report Number | 20210057.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 35419.0 |
| Report Type | Original Final |
| Operator Id | 15359 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Black Hills Energy |
| Operator Street Address | 2287 College Road Po Box 2006 |
| Operator City Name | Council Bluffs |
| Operator State Abbreviation | IA |
| Operator Postal Code | 51502 |
| Local Datetime | 2021-05-28 08:30:00 |
| Time Zone | Central |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Street Address | N 27th St And Fairfield St |
| Location City Name | Lincoln |
| Location County Name | Lancaster |
| Location State Abbreviation | NE |
| Location Postal Code | 68521 |
| Location Latitude | 40.8473585 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -96.6822531 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Stopple Fitng Ind | Yes |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2021-05-28 09:04:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1306246 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 4033.49 |
| Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 2.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2021-05-22 09:39:00 |
| Communication State Fed Ind | Yes |
| Party Initiated Communication | Local/state/federal Emergency Responder |
| Initial Responder Com Datetime | 2021-05-22 10:20:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2021-05-22 10:20:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Public Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Depth Of Cover | 36.0 |
| Other Underground Facilities | No |
| Crossing | Yes |
| Bridge Crossing Ind | Yes |
| Bridge Type | Uncased |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 1986.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 6.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Unknown |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Steel Seam Type | Seamless |
| Wt Steel | 0.156 |
| Release Type | Mechanical Puncture |
| Puncture Axial | 1.5 |
| Puncture Circum | 3.0 |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 10000.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 10000.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 1000.0 |
| Est Cost Other Details | All Costs Of Repair Have Not Been Fully Estimated |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 4.3972 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 17736.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Prpty | 38736.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 1.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 9.0 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 0.0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0.0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 0.0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 1.0 |
| Accident Psig | 70.0 |
| Normal Psig | 70.0 |
| Mop Psig | 74.0 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(1) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 1986-08-28 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Combination Of Odorization Types |
| Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind | Yes |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Third Party That Caused The Incident |
| 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 | The control room was not a factor in this excavation damage |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Excavation Damage |
| Cause Details | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Ex Party Type | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Prior Notification Ind | Yes |
| One Call System Ind | Yes |
| Excavator Ind | Yes |
| State Law Exempt Ind | No |
| Notify Cga Dirt | No |
| Public Row Ind | Yes |
| Public Subtype | City Street |
| Excavator Type | Contractor |
| Excavator Equipment | Backhoe/trackhoe |
| Work Performed | Road Work |
| One Call Notified Ind | Yes |
| One Call Ticket Num | 211303017 |
| Locator Type | Contract Locator |
| Visible Marks | Yes |
| Service Interruption | Yes |
| Service Interruption Hours | 12.0 |
| Root Cause Category | Excavation Issue |
| Root Cause Type | Excavator Failed To Maintain Clearance After Verifying Marks |
| Preparer Name | T** D******** |
| Preparer Title | Pipeline Safety Professional |
| Preparer Email | T************@b*************.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 402 858 3602 |
| Local Contact Name | S*** A* P******* |
| Authorizer Name | T** D******** |
| Authorizer Title | Pipeline Safety Professional |
| Authorizer Telephone | 402 858 3602 |
| Authorizer Email | T************@b*************.com |
| Narrative | Road and bridge work were being done by k2 construction for the city of lincoln ne on the n 27th street bridge crossing salt creek. Black hills energy (bhe) has a 6-inch steel distribution main attached and supported under the bridge. K2 construction had an 811 locate ticket to do excavate at this location. This main was accurately located by bhe prior to the incident. The main transitioned from the bridge to go underground on the north side where it was hit. Prior to incident, bhe was preparing to install stopple fittings and valves on the north and south side of this bridge crossing. The intent was to be able to isolate the section of main on the bridge to allow a quick and safe way to stop gas flow if any damage occurred during bridge repair. K2 construction was aware of the gas main on the north side and bhe's effort to install valves did not wait for bhe to finish installation. On saturday may 22nd, k2 construction continued with this project and dug in the tolerance zone with an excavator directly over the pipeline. This punctured the 6-inch main causing a 1.5-inch by 3-inch hole allowing blowing natural gas to escape to atmosphere. 911 was called by the excavator and lincoln police and fire department came on scene to control traffic and offer support for bhe throughout the incident. Bhe arrived with personnel to safely monitor, control the blowing gas, and make repairs. A nebraska state fire marshal deputy inspector also responded to this incident to monitor and investigate. Stopple fittings were welded on the south and north side of the bridge to stop flow of gas. A bypass was installed to maintain gas supply to a large residential area north of the bridge. Once the bypass was completed, the stopples were inserted to stop the blowing gas. Gas blew for approximately 14 hours and the area was monitored by bhe and fire department personnel throughout the incident until repairs could be made. The damaged section of main was replaced, pipeline re-pressured and bypass removed. Poor excavation practices resulted in the incident. |
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