Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GTG incident on 2022-03-15 — MI
Operator
Consumers Energy Co
Cause
Equipment Failure
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GTG
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$222,280
Incident datetime
2022-03-15 16:20
Report number
Location
MI
Narrative
On march 15, 2022 at approximately 16:20 hours consumers energy gas control received a firegate trouble alarm at the white pigeon compressor station. White pigeon compressor station is located at 68536 a road, white pigeon township, (st. Joseph county) michigan. A station mechanic was dispatched and arrived at the site at approximately16:37 hours. The mechanic observed multiple esd valve position faults at the station control screen and gas was being released near plant 3, later determined to be a release at the plant 3 suction blowdown valve (valve 635). The mechanic activated the firegate system at approximately 16:39 hours to isolate and relieve all gas from the plant 3 piping. The venting was complete at approximately 16:43 hours and a site inspection was completed to confirm all potential hazards were eliminated. On march 16, 2022 an initial site assessment and incident review was conducted with the michigan public service commission. The cause investigation continued for several weeks and included electrical testing and functional testing of the valve. Based on the evaluation, repair and replacement of selected components were completed and sent to the vendor for further evaluation. Additional actions were completed on similar equipment prior to returning plant 3 to service on april 1, 2022 at approximately11:50 hours. At the time of this report, the probable cause has been determined to be an electric fault that occurred in the valve actuator terminal box due to moisture that either energized the open solenoid or de-energized the esd solenoid causing the valve to operate and gas to be released. The esd solenoid and the relay module have been sent to rotork and det-tronics respectively for additional vendor evaluation to determine if either component may have caused or contributed to the event. The laboratory reports from the vendor, peter paul electronics concluded the failure to be open circuits within the coil. This occurs when there is a break in the wires or connection. The lab analysis shows the lead connectors were intact, confirming the break was inside the coil. This was confirmed when the lab replaced the coil in the valve and the open circuit issue was not observed. Confirming the root cause to be the esd solenoid failing and operating the valve.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2022-04-14 00:00:00
Iyear
2022
Report Number
20220046
Supplemental Number
37036
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
2748
Name
Consumers Energy Co
Operator Street Address
One Energy Plaza
Operator City Name
Jackson
Operator State Abbreviation
MI
Operator Postal Code
49201
Local Datetime
2022-03-15 16:20:00
Time Zone
Eastern
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Latitude
41.80231
Location Longitude
-85.58675
Nrc Rpt Num
1331135
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2022-03-15 18:59:00
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1331245
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
7505
Intentional Release
596
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
2022-03-15 16:39:00
Restart Datetime
2022-04-01 11:50:00
Communication State Fed Ind
No
Ignite Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Incident Identified Datetime
2022-03-15 16:20:00
On Site Datetime
2022-03-15 16:37:00
On Off Shore
Onshore
Onshore State Abbreviation
Mi
Onshore Postal Code
49099
Onshore City Name
White Pigeon Township
Onshore County Name
St. Joseph
Designated Location
Not Applicable
Pipe Fac Name
White Pigeon Compressor Station
Segment Name
Valve 635
Federal
No
Location Type
Operator-Controlled Property
Incident Area Type
Aboveground
Incident Area Subtype
Typical Aboveground Facility Piping Or Appurtenance
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Intrastate
System Part Involved
Onshore Compressor Station Equipment And Piping
Item Involved
Compressor
Installation Year
2009
Manufactured Year
Unknown
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
Plant 3 Suction Blowdown Valve Operated Without Command Resulting A Release Of 8.1 Mmcf
Class Location Type
Class 2 Location
Could Be Hca
No
Pir Radius
585
Heat Damage Ind
No
Non Heat Damage Ind
No
Did Occur In Mca Ind
Yes
Mca Buildng Human Occupy Ind
Yes
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
29420
Est Cost Intentional Release
2336
Est Cost Prop Damage
222280
Est Cost Emergency
600
Est Cost Other
0
Gas Cost In Mcf
3.92
Prpty
254636
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
644
Gas Flow In Pipe In Mcf
403
Mop Psig
1000
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(2)
Maop Established Date
2009-10-12 00:00:00
Maop Reversal Flow Ind
No
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Gas Required Odorized Ind
No
Pipeline Function
Transmission System
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
Yes
Scada Conf Ind
Yes
Accident Identifier
Scada-Based Information (Such As Alarm(S), Alert(S), Event(S), And/or Volume Or Pack Calculations)
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 controller received scada alarm and followed the required response protocol
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Equipment Failure
Cause Details
Malfunction Of Control/relief Equipment
Eq Failure Type
Malfunction Of Control/relief Equipment
Other Control Relief Ind
Yes
Other Control Relief Details
At The Time Of This Report, The Probable Cause Has Been Determined To Be An Electric Fault That Occurred In The Valve Actuator Terminal Box Due To Moisture That Either Energized The Open Solenoid Or De-Energized The Esd Solenoid Causing The Valve To Operate And Gas To Be Released.
Eq Additional Other Ind
Yes
Eq Additional Other Details
Water Intrusion
Preparer Name
C******* K***
Preparer Title
Senior Engineering Technical Analyst Ii
Preparer Email
C************@c********.com
Preparer Telephone
989-280-2963
Local Contact Name
C******* K***
Local Contact Email
C************@c********.com
Local Contact Telephone
989-280-2963
Authorizer Name
J**** E* P****
Authorizer Title
Gas Compliance Manager
Authorizer Telephone
989-598-5031
Authorizer Email
J**********@c********.com
Narrative
On march 15, 2022 at approximately 16:20 hours consumers energy gas control received a firegate trouble alarm at the white pigeon compressor station. White pigeon compressor station is located at 68536 a road, white pigeon township, (st. Joseph county) michigan. A station mechanic was dispatched and arrived at the site at approximately16:37 hours. The mechanic observed multiple esd valve position faults at the station control screen and gas was being released near plant 3, later determined to be a release at the plant 3 suction blowdown valve (valve 635). The mechanic activated the firegate system at approximately 16:39 hours to isolate and relieve all gas from the plant 3 piping. The venting was complete at approximately 16:43 hours and a site inspection was completed to confirm all potential hazards were eliminated. On march 16, 2022 an initial site assessment and incident review was conducted with the michigan public service commission. The cause investigation continued for several weeks and included electrical testing and functional testing of the valve. Based on the evaluation, repair and replacement of selected components were completed and sent to the vendor for further evaluation. Additional actions were completed on similar equipment prior to returning plant 3 to service on april 1, 2022 at approximately11:50 hours. At the time of this report, the probable cause has been determined to be an electric fault that occurred in the valve actuator terminal box due to moisture that either energized the open solenoid or de-energized the esd solenoid causing the valve to operate and gas to be released. The esd solenoid and the relay module have been sent to rotork and det-tronics respectively for additional vendor evaluation to determine if either component may have caused or contributed to the event. The laboratory reports from the vendor, peter paul electronics concluded the failure to be open circuits within the coil. This occurs when there is a break in the wires or connection. The lab analysis shows the lead connectors were intact, confirming the break was inside the coil. This was confirmed when the lab replaced the coil in the valve and the open circuit issue was not observed. Confirming the root cause to be the esd solenoid failing and operating the valve.
| Report Received Date | 2022-04-14 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2022 |
| Report Number | 20220046 |
| Supplemental Number | 37036 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 2748 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Consumers Energy Co |
| Operator Street Address | One Energy Plaza |
| Operator City Name | Jackson |
| Operator State Abbreviation | MI |
| Operator Postal Code | 49201 |
| Local Datetime | 2022-03-15 16:20:00 |
| Time Zone | Eastern |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Latitude | 41.80231 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -85.58675 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1331135 NRC Report How to search |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2022-03-15 18:59:00 |
| Additional Nrc Report Numbers | 1331245 |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 7505 |
| Intentional Release | 596 |
| 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 | 2022-03-15 16:39:00 |
| Restart Datetime | 2022-04-01 11:50:00 |
| Communication State Fed Ind | No |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2022-03-15 16:20:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2022-03-15 16:37:00 |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Mi |
| Onshore Postal Code | 49099 |
| Onshore City Name | White Pigeon Township |
| Onshore County Name | St. Joseph |
| Designated Location | Not Applicable |
| Pipe Fac Name | White Pigeon Compressor Station |
| Segment Name | Valve 635 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Operator-Controlled Property |
| Incident Area Type | Aboveground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Typical Aboveground Facility Piping Or Appurtenance |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Intrastate |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Compressor Station Equipment And Piping |
| Item Involved | Compressor |
| Installation Year | 2009 |
| Manufactured Year | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | Plant 3 Suction Blowdown Valve Operated Without Command Resulting A Release Of 8.1 Mmcf |
| Class Location Type | Class 2 Location |
| Could Be Hca | No |
| Pir Radius | 585 |
| Heat Damage Ind | No |
| Non Heat Damage Ind | No |
| Did Occur In Mca Ind | Yes |
| Mca Buildng Human Occupy Ind | Yes |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 29420 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 2336 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 222280 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 600 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 3.92 |
| Prpty | 254636 |
| 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 | 644 |
| Gas Flow In Pipe In Mcf | 403 |
| Mop Psig | 1000 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(2) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 2009-10-12 00:00:00 |
| Maop Reversal Flow Ind | No |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Gas Required Odorized Ind | No |
| Pipeline Function | Transmission System |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | Yes |
| Scada Conf Ind | Yes |
| Accident Identifier | Scada-Based Information (Such As Alarm(S), Alert(S), Event(S), And/or Volume Or Pack Calculations) |
| 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 controller received scada alarm and followed the required response protocol |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Equipment Failure |
| Cause Details | Malfunction Of Control/relief Equipment |
| Eq Failure Type | Malfunction Of Control/relief Equipment |
| Other Control Relief Ind | Yes |
| Other Control Relief Details | At The Time Of This Report, The Probable Cause Has Been Determined To Be An Electric Fault That Occurred In The Valve Actuator Terminal Box Due To Moisture That Either Energized The Open Solenoid Or De-Energized The Esd Solenoid Causing The Valve To Operate And Gas To Be Released. |
| Eq Additional Other Ind | Yes |
| Eq Additional Other Details | Water Intrusion |
| Preparer Name | C******* K*** |
| Preparer Title | Senior Engineering Technical Analyst Ii |
| Preparer Email | C************@c********.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 989-280-2963 |
| Local Contact Name | C******* K*** |
| Local Contact Email | C************@c********.com |
| Local Contact Telephone | 989-280-2963 |
| Authorizer Name | J**** E* P**** |
| Authorizer Title | Gas Compliance Manager |
| Authorizer Telephone | 989-598-5031 |
| Authorizer Email | J**********@c********.com |
| Narrative | On march 15, 2022 at approximately 16:20 hours consumers energy gas control received a firegate trouble alarm at the white pigeon compressor station. White pigeon compressor station is located at 68536 a road, white pigeon township, (st. Joseph county) michigan. A station mechanic was dispatched and arrived at the site at approximately16:37 hours. The mechanic observed multiple esd valve position faults at the station control screen and gas was being released near plant 3, later determined to be a release at the plant 3 suction blowdown valve (valve 635). The mechanic activated the firegate system at approximately 16:39 hours to isolate and relieve all gas from the plant 3 piping. The venting was complete at approximately 16:43 hours and a site inspection was completed to confirm all potential hazards were eliminated. On march 16, 2022 an initial site assessment and incident review was conducted with the michigan public service commission. The cause investigation continued for several weeks and included electrical testing and functional testing of the valve. Based on the evaluation, repair and replacement of selected components were completed and sent to the vendor for further evaluation. Additional actions were completed on similar equipment prior to returning plant 3 to service on april 1, 2022 at approximately11:50 hours. At the time of this report, the probable cause has been determined to be an electric fault that occurred in the valve actuator terminal box due to moisture that either energized the open solenoid or de-energized the esd solenoid causing the valve to operate and gas to be released. The esd solenoid and the relay module have been sent to rotork and det-tronics respectively for additional vendor evaluation to determine if either component may have caused or contributed to the event. The laboratory reports from the vendor, peter paul electronics concluded the failure to be open circuits within the coil. This occurs when there is a break in the wires or connection. The lab analysis shows the lead connectors were intact, confirming the break was inside the coil. This was confirmed when the lab replaced the coil in the valve and the open circuit issue was not observed. Confirming the root cause to be the esd solenoid failing and operating the valve. |
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