Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2022-05-23 — IN
Operator
Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co
Cause
Excavation Issue
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$8,000
Incident datetime
2022-05-23 15:35
Report number
Location
IN, VANDERBURGH
Narrative
Dci was contracted by centerpoint indiana-electric to install underground electric lines and a new junction box in the green space across from 2710 windemere drive, evansville, indiana 47725 (vanderburgh county). Dci had subcontracted the excavation work out to earley electric. On may 23, 2022, lester knepp with earley electric was operating a caterpillar 304e mini excavator to expose underground electric lines along the south side of windemere drive. Dci had called for locates by calling indiana 811 and got a locate ticket # 2205092040 on may 9, 2022. Earley electric and mr. Knepp were under the mistaken impression they could excavate under dci's locate and therefore did not call for their own locate ticket. At approximately 1530hr., mr. Knepp, while operating the mini excavator, hit a 2' pe underground gas main owned and operated by southern indiana gas and electric company d.B.A centerpoint energy indiana ' south. The gas main was operating at approximately 58 psig. Earley electric employee aaron schroer witnessed the event, stating mr. Knepp upon hitting the main, exited the excavator leaving it running. According to mr. Schroer, the gas was blowing for about 25 seconds before it ignited. Mr. Schroer notified 911 immediately at approximately 1530hrs. Mr. Schroer stated they did not notice the gas locate marks that were part of dci's may 9th locate ticket. The locate was performed on may 10, 2022. Locate pictures from that date show the gas facility were properly flagged and marked. At the time of the event, gas facility locate flags had been removed and marks were faint. Centerpoint dispatch was notified by 911 dispatch approximately 1535hrs. Centerpoint gas crew was notified at 1543hrs. And arrived on scene at 1615hrs. The gas from the main was still burning. The pe main was duel fed so the centerpoint gas crew dug up and exposed the main on the east and west side of the damage. The gas crew performed squeeze off operations stopping the flow of gas and extinguishing the fire at 1700hrs. Prior to squeezing off, two customers were taken out of service so that gauges could be installed. At the time of installation, the east gauge read 25psig where the west side read 4psig. After squeeze off, pressure on both sides return to near normal pressures. Centerpoint dispatch sent out an email alerting stakeholder, including members of the indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department of the initial report from 911 at 1545hrs. Centerpoint pipeline safety and compliance department was in contact with members of the indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department shortly thereafter. Indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department, chief engineer rich medcalf arrived on scene and investigated. Local news media coverage as well as members of the public posted video of the fire on social media sites. On both sides of the damage, the main was cut and capped off a short distance from where it was squeezed off. It has yet to be determined if or when the main will be restored to dual fed status. Centerpoint pipeline safety and compliance department lead operation specialist decided to contact the nrc, despite the event not meeting report criteria, due to the amount of attention and video.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2022-05-23 15:35:00
Year
2022
Report Received Date
2022-07-07 00:00:00
Iyear
2022.0
Report Number
20220047.0
Supplemental Number
36836.0
Report Type
Original Final
Operator Id
18508
Name
Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co
Operator Street Address
211 Nw Riverside Drive
Operator City Name
Evansville
Operator State Abbreviation
IN
Operator Postal Code
47708
Local Datetime
2022-05-23 15:30:00
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Street Address
2710 Windemere
Location City Name
Evansville
Location County Name
Vanderburgh
Location State Abbreviation
IN
Location Postal Code
47725
Location Latitude
38.063736
Location Longitude
-87.514939
Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2022-05-23 18:25:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1336798
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
73.612
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
Yes
Ignite Datetime
2022-05-23 15:30:00
How Extinguished
Operator/contractor
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
73.6
Explode Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
12.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2022-05-23 15:35:00
On Site Datetime
2022-05-23 16:15:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
36.0
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
1997.0
Pipe Diameter
2.0
Pipe Specification
Astm D2513
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Plastic
Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Wt Plastic Unknown Ind
Unknown
Material Pe Pipe Code
Unknown
Release Type
Mechanical Puncture
Puncture Axial
1.0
Puncture Circum
1.0
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
60000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
8000.0
Est Cost Emergency
500.0
Est Cost Other
10000.0
Est Cost Other Details
Current Estimated 2.b Is For Capping Ends. 10k Would Be If Ends Were Reconnected
Gas Cost In Mcf
5.175
Est Cost Unintentional Release
381.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
78881.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
2.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
5.0
Num Business Building Affctd
0.0
Accident Psig
58.0
Normal Psig
58.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(2)
Maop Established Date
1997-03-17 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Injection Pump
Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind
Yes
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 Emergency Responder
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 incident was initiated by a third party excavator hitting a plastic distribution main which ignited almost immediately. Gas control was not involved, could not have responded to or minimized the loss or 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
No
State Law Exempt Ind
No
Notify Cga Dirt
Yes
Pipeline Easement Row Ind
Yes
Excavator Type
Contractor
Excavator Equipment
Backhoe/trackhoe
Work Performed
Electric
One Call Notified Ind
No
Locator Type
Contract Locator
Visible Marks
Yes
Service Interruption
Yes
Service Interruption Hours
2.0
Root Cause Category
Excavation Issue
Root Cause Type
Improper Backfilling Practices
Preparer Name
S**** C*******
Preparer Title
Lead Operation Specialist
Preparer Email
S*************@c****************.com
Preparer Telephone
812-491-4117
Local Contact Name
S**** C*******
Local Contact Email
S*************@c****************.com
Local Contact Telephone
812-491-4117
Authorizer Name
S***** B***
Authorizer Title
Manager Pipeline Safety And Compliance
Authorizer Telephone
812-491-4806
Authorizer Email
S**********@c****************.com
Narrative
Dci was contracted by centerpoint indiana-electric to install underground electric lines and a new junction box in the green space across from 2710 windemere drive, evansville, indiana 47725 (vanderburgh county). Dci had subcontracted the excavation work out to earley electric. On may 23, 2022, lester knepp with earley electric was operating a caterpillar 304e mini excavator to expose underground electric lines along the south side of windemere drive. Dci had called for locates by calling indiana 811 and got a locate ticket # 2205092040 on may 9, 2022. Earley electric and mr. Knepp were under the mistaken impression they could excavate under dci's locate and therefore did not call for their own locate ticket. At approximately 1530hr., mr. Knepp, while operating the mini excavator, hit a 2' pe underground gas main owned and operated by southern indiana gas and electric company d.B.A centerpoint energy indiana ' south. The gas main was operating at approximately 58 psig. Earley electric employee aaron schroer witnessed the event, stating mr. Knepp upon hitting the main, exited the excavator leaving it running. According to mr. Schroer, the gas was blowing for about 25 seconds before it ignited. Mr. Schroer notified 911 immediately at approximately 1530hrs. Mr. Schroer stated they did not notice the gas locate marks that were part of dci's may 9th locate ticket. The locate was performed on may 10, 2022. Locate pictures from that date show the gas facility were properly flagged and marked. At the time of the event, gas facility locate flags had been removed and marks were faint. Centerpoint dispatch was notified by 911 dispatch approximately 1535hrs. Centerpoint gas crew was notified at 1543hrs. And arrived on scene at 1615hrs. The gas from the main was still burning. The pe main was duel fed so the centerpoint gas crew dug up and exposed the main on the east and west side of the damage. The gas crew performed squeeze off operations stopping the flow of gas and extinguishing the fire at 1700hrs. Prior to squeezing off, two customers were taken out of service so that gauges could be installed. At the time of installation, the east gauge read 25psig where the west side read 4psig. After squeeze off, pressure on both sides return to near normal pressures. Centerpoint dispatch sent out an email alerting stakeholder, including members of the indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department of the initial report from 911 at 1545hrs. Centerpoint pipeline safety and compliance department was in contact with members of the indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department shortly thereafter. Indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department, chief engineer rich medcalf arrived on scene and investigated. Local news media coverage as well as members of the public posted video of the fire on social media sites. On both sides of the damage, the main was cut and capped off a short distance from where it was squeezed off. It has yet to be determined if or when the main will be restored to dual fed status. Centerpoint pipeline safety and compliance department lead operation specialist decided to contact the nrc, despite the event not meeting report criteria, due to the amount of attention and video.
| Occurred At | 2022-05-23 15:35:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2022 |
| Report Received Date | 2022-07-07 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2022.0 |
| Report Number | 20220047.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 36836.0 |
| Report Type | Original Final |
| Operator Id | 18508 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co |
| Operator Street Address | 211 Nw Riverside Drive |
| Operator City Name | Evansville |
| Operator State Abbreviation | IN |
| Operator Postal Code | 47708 |
| Local Datetime | 2022-05-23 15:30:00 |
| Time Zone | Central |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Street Address | 2710 Windemere |
| Location City Name | Evansville |
| Location County Name | Vanderburgh |
| Location State Abbreviation | IN |
| Location Postal Code | 47725 |
| Location Latitude | 38.063736 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -87.514939 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind | Yes |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2022-05-23 18:25:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1336798 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 73.612 |
| Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Ignite Datetime | 2022-05-23 15:30:00 |
| How Extinguished | Operator/contractor |
| Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf | 73.6 |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 12.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2022-05-23 15:35:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2022-05-23 16:15:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Depth Of Cover | 36.0 |
| Other Underground Facilities | No |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 1997.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 2.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Astm D2513 |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Plastic |
| Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Wt Plastic Unknown Ind | Unknown |
| Material Pe Pipe Code | Unknown |
| Release Type | Mechanical Puncture |
| Puncture Axial | 1.0 |
| Puncture Circum | 1.0 |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 60000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 8000.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 500.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 10000.0 |
| Est Cost Other Details | Current Estimated 2.b Is For Capping Ends. 10k Would Be If Ends Were Reconnected |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 5.175 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 381.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Prpty | 78881.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 2.0 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 0.0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0.0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 5.0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 0.0 |
| Accident Psig | 58.0 |
| Normal Psig | 58.0 |
| Mop Psig | 60.0 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(2) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 1997-03-17 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Injection Pump |
| Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind | Yes |
| 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 Emergency Responder |
| 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 incident was initiated by a third party excavator hitting a plastic distribution main which ignited almost immediately. Gas control was not involved, could not have responded to or minimized the loss or 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 | No |
| State Law Exempt Ind | No |
| Notify Cga Dirt | Yes |
| Pipeline Easement Row Ind | Yes |
| Excavator Type | Contractor |
| Excavator Equipment | Backhoe/trackhoe |
| Work Performed | Electric |
| One Call Notified Ind | No |
| Locator Type | Contract Locator |
| Visible Marks | Yes |
| Service Interruption | Yes |
| Service Interruption Hours | 2.0 |
| Root Cause Category | Excavation Issue |
| Root Cause Type | Improper Backfilling Practices |
| Preparer Name | S**** C******* |
| Preparer Title | Lead Operation Specialist |
| Preparer Email | S*************@c****************.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 812-491-4117 |
| Local Contact Name | S**** C******* |
| Local Contact Email | S*************@c****************.com |
| Local Contact Telephone | 812-491-4117 |
| Authorizer Name | S***** B*** |
| Authorizer Title | Manager Pipeline Safety And Compliance |
| Authorizer Telephone | 812-491-4806 |
| Authorizer Email | S**********@c****************.com |
| Narrative | Dci was contracted by centerpoint indiana-electric to install underground electric lines and a new junction box in the green space across from 2710 windemere drive, evansville, indiana 47725 (vanderburgh county). Dci had subcontracted the excavation work out to earley electric. On may 23, 2022, lester knepp with earley electric was operating a caterpillar 304e mini excavator to expose underground electric lines along the south side of windemere drive. Dci had called for locates by calling indiana 811 and got a locate ticket # 2205092040 on may 9, 2022. Earley electric and mr. Knepp were under the mistaken impression they could excavate under dci's locate and therefore did not call for their own locate ticket. At approximately 1530hr., mr. Knepp, while operating the mini excavator, hit a 2' pe underground gas main owned and operated by southern indiana gas and electric company d.B.A centerpoint energy indiana ' south. The gas main was operating at approximately 58 psig. Earley electric employee aaron schroer witnessed the event, stating mr. Knepp upon hitting the main, exited the excavator leaving it running. According to mr. Schroer, the gas was blowing for about 25 seconds before it ignited. Mr. Schroer notified 911 immediately at approximately 1530hrs. Mr. Schroer stated they did not notice the gas locate marks that were part of dci's may 9th locate ticket. The locate was performed on may 10, 2022. Locate pictures from that date show the gas facility were properly flagged and marked. At the time of the event, gas facility locate flags had been removed and marks were faint. Centerpoint dispatch was notified by 911 dispatch approximately 1535hrs. Centerpoint gas crew was notified at 1543hrs. And arrived on scene at 1615hrs. The gas from the main was still burning. The pe main was duel fed so the centerpoint gas crew dug up and exposed the main on the east and west side of the damage. The gas crew performed squeeze off operations stopping the flow of gas and extinguishing the fire at 1700hrs. Prior to squeezing off, two customers were taken out of service so that gauges could be installed. At the time of installation, the east gauge read 25psig where the west side read 4psig. After squeeze off, pressure on both sides return to near normal pressures. Centerpoint dispatch sent out an email alerting stakeholder, including members of the indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department of the initial report from 911 at 1545hrs. Centerpoint pipeline safety and compliance department was in contact with members of the indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department shortly thereafter. Indiana utility regulatory commission, pipeline safety department, chief engineer rich medcalf arrived on scene and investigated. Local news media coverage as well as members of the public posted video of the fire on social media sites. On both sides of the damage, the main was cut and capped off a short distance from where it was squeezed off. It has yet to be determined if or when the main will be restored to dual fed status. Centerpoint pipeline safety and compliance department lead operation specialist decided to contact the nrc, despite the event not meeting report criteria, due to the amount of attention and video. |
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