GTG incident on 2022-09-08 — TX

Operator
High Point Gas Transmission, Llc
Cause
Other Incident Cause
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GTG
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities 0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$1,300,000
Incident datetime
2022-09-08 16:12
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
Due to character limits, see original report 20220107 for incident description. *update 10/31/22* the lab company (stress engineering) that the samples were sent to is currently preforming metallurgical analysis on both samples that third coast sent. The chief incident investigator that third coast contracted to investigate the lake lery incident is still conducting the investigation and interviewing witnesses. Meetings with third coast, the investigator and the US coast guard has produced a marine casualty investigation by the coast guard. Repairs to the 20' are under way and are near completion including backfilling the hole that was created. To prevent this from occurring in the future the pipeline will buried, hole back filled and 2 levels of articulating concrete mates will be placed on top along this section of pipe. *update 01/05/23* the 20' gate 6 to toca line has been dewatered, cut, air gapped, and capped from any pressure source and placed under a nitrogen blanket. *update 02/7/23* stress engineering (ses) performed several examinations of the pipe samples sent for analysis including laser scanning, visual examination, scanning electron microscopy (sem), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (eds), x-ray diffraction (xrd), chemical analysis, mechanical testing and metallographic examination. The two transverse fractures on the two pipe segments (north and south) originated at the 6 o'clock position. The two helical, circumferential fractures likely occurred following a longitudinal rupture along the bottom of the 13-feet length pipe segment(s) that was/were displaced and never recovered. Pitting corrosion was found on the inside surface of the two pipe segments analyzed by ses. The pits were found to be as deep as 50% of the wall thickness in the north section. The inside surface scale contained iron carbonate and iron sulfide, while the deposits from the pits contained iron carbonate and iron oxide ' which are typical oilfield corrosion products from acid gases. The tensile properties met the requirements for grade x52 steel per API 5lx (1953) specifications. The microstructure of the pipe base material was typical of grade x52 carbon steel. Without the missing pipe segment(s) and the ability to examine it/them, ses cannot conclusively determine the cause of the rupture, nor can it rule out certain possible causes. Multiple attempts were conducted using a combination of divers and hydrographic/magnetometer up to 1 mile from release point; locating/marking and investigating by diver heavy metal debris targets. The 13-foot piece was never found and recovered.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2022-10-07 00:00:00
Iyear
2022
Report Number
20220107
Supplemental Number
37864
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
Name
High Point Gas Transmission, Llc
Operator Street Address
Third Coast Midstream, Llc Po Box 1227
Operator City Name
Houston
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77251
Local Datetime
2022-09-08 16:12:00
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Latitude
Location Longitude
Nrc Rpt Num
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2022-09-08 16:48:00
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1346927
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
35000
Intentional Release
0
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
No
Shutdown Explain
Pipeline Was Already Down Due To Business Needs
Ignite Ind
Yes
Ignite Datetime
2022-09-08 16:12:00
How Extinguished
Allowed To Burn Out
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
35000
Explode Ind
No
Upstream Action Taken
Valve Closure
Upstream Valve Close Datetime
2022-09-08 10:00:00
Downstream Action Taken
Valve Closure
Downstream Vlv Close Datetime
2022-09-08 17:15:00
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Incident Identified Datetime
2022-09-08 16:12:00
On Site Datetime
2022-09-08 17:00:00
On Off Shore
Onshore
Onshore State Abbreviation
La
Onshore Postal Code
70040
Onshore City Name
St Bernard
Onshore County Name
Plaquemines
Designated Location
Milepost
Designated Name
51.18
Pipe Fac Name
Main Pass To Franklin 20"
Segment Name
Gate 6 To Toca 20"
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
Yes
Water Crossing Ind
Yes
Water Type
Uncased
Water Name
Lake Lery
Water Depth
6
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
20
Puddle Weld Ind
No
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.344
Pipe Smys
52000
Pipe Specification
X-52
Pipe Seam Type
Flash Welded
Pipe Manufacturer
A.o. Smith
Pipe Coating Type
Other
Pipe Coating Details
Concrete
Coating Applied Ind
No
Installation Year
1953
Manufactured Year
1953
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Rupture
Rupture Orient
Longitudinal
Rupture Length
156
Rupture Width
1
Class Location Type
Class 1 Location
Could Be Hca
No
Pir Radius
447
Heat Damage Ind
No
Non Heat Damage Ind
No
Did Occur In Mca Ind
No
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
279650
Est Cost Intentional Release
0
Est Cost Prop Damage
1300000
Est Cost Emergency
341000
Est Cost Other
0
Gas Cost In Mcf
7.99
Prpty
1920650
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
1051
Gas Flow In Pipe In Mcf
0
Mop Psig
1072
Mop Cfr Section
Mop Cfr Section Details
Prior To Code
Maop Established Date
1959-10-01 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
Manual
Length Segment Isolated
89760
Internal Inspection Ind
Yes
Operation Complications 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
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
A review of the accident determined that there were no control room actions that contributed to the event.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Other Incident Cause
Cause Details
Unknown
Other Type
Unknown
Unknown Subtype
Investigation Complete, Cause Of Incident Unknown
Incident Unknown Comments
Due To Missing 13-Foot Piece Of Pipe, Cause Of The Rupture Cannot Be Determined.
Preparer Name
N****** P********
Preparer Title
Manager Pipeline Regulatory Compliance
Preparer Email
N*********@t**********.com
Preparer Telephone
3462413368
Authorizer Name
N****** P********
Authorizer Title
Manager Pipeline Regulatory Compliance
Authorizer Telephone
3462413368
Authorizer Email
N*********@t**********.com
Narrative
Due to character limits, see original report 20220107 for incident description. *update 10/31/22* the lab company (stress engineering) that the samples were sent to is currently preforming metallurgical analysis on both samples that third coast sent. The chief incident investigator that third coast contracted to investigate the lake lery incident is still conducting the investigation and interviewing witnesses. Meetings with third coast, the investigator and the US coast guard has produced a marine casualty investigation by the coast guard. Repairs to the 20' are under way and are near completion including backfilling the hole that was created. To prevent this from occurring in the future the pipeline will buried, hole back filled and 2 levels of articulating concrete mates will be placed on top along this section of pipe. *update 01/05/23* the 20' gate 6 to toca line has been dewatered, cut, air gapped, and capped from any pressure source and placed under a nitrogen blanket. *update 02/7/23* stress engineering (ses) performed several examinations of the pipe samples sent for analysis including laser scanning, visual examination, scanning electron microscopy (sem), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (eds), x-ray diffraction (xrd), chemical analysis, mechanical testing and metallographic examination. The two transverse fractures on the two pipe segments (north and south) originated at the 6 o'clock position. The two helical, circumferential fractures likely occurred following a longitudinal rupture along the bottom of the 13-feet length pipe segment(s) that was/were displaced and never recovered. Pitting corrosion was found on the inside surface of the two pipe segments analyzed by ses. The pits were found to be as deep as 50% of the wall thickness in the north section. The inside surface scale contained iron carbonate and iron sulfide, while the deposits from the pits contained iron carbonate and iron oxide ' which are typical oilfield corrosion products from acid gases. The tensile properties met the requirements for grade x52 steel per API 5lx (1953) specifications. The microstructure of the pipe base material was typical of grade x52 carbon steel. Without the missing pipe segment(s) and the ability to examine it/them, ses cannot conclusively determine the cause of the rupture, nor can it rule out certain possible causes. Multiple attempts were conducted using a combination of divers and hydrographic/magnetometer up to 1 mile from release point; locating/marking and investigating by diver heavy metal debris targets. The 13-foot piece was never found and recovered.
Report Received Date 2022-10-07 00:00:00
Iyear 2022
Report Number 20220107
Supplemental Number 37864
Report Type Supplemental Final
Operator Id 38902 PHMSA Enforcement
Name High Point Gas Transmission, Llc
Operator Street Address Third Coast Midstream, Llc Po Box 1227
Operator City Name Houston
Operator State Abbreviation TX
Operator Postal Code 77251
Local Datetime 2022-09-08 16:12:00
Time Zone Central
Daylight Savings Ind Yes
Location Latitude 29.7919139 Google Maps OpenStreetMap
Location Longitude -89.8052972 Google Maps OpenStreetMap
Nrc Rpt Num 1346790 NRC Report How to search
Nrc Rpt Datetime 2022-09-08 16:48:00
Additional Nrc Report Numbers 1346927
Commodity Released Type Natural Gas
Unintentional Release 35000
Intentional Release 0
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 No
Shutdown Explain Pipeline Was Already Down Due To Business Needs
Ignite Ind Yes
Ignite Datetime 2022-09-08 16:12:00
How Extinguished Allowed To Burn Out
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf 35000
Explode Ind No
Upstream Action Taken Valve Closure
Upstream Valve Close Datetime 2022-09-08 10:00:00
Downstream Action Taken Valve Closure
Downstream Vlv Close Datetime 2022-09-08 17:15:00
Num Pub Evacuated 0
Incident Identified Datetime 2022-09-08 16:12:00
On Site Datetime 2022-09-08 17:00:00
On Off Shore Onshore
Onshore State Abbreviation La
Onshore Postal Code 70040
Onshore City Name St Bernard
Onshore County Name Plaquemines
Designated Location Milepost
Designated Name 51.18
Pipe Fac Name Main Pass To Franklin 20"
Segment Name Gate 6 To Toca 20"
Federal No
Location Type Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type Underground
Incident Area Subtype Under Soil
Other Underground Facilities No
Crossing Yes
Water Crossing Ind Yes
Water Type Uncased
Water Name Lake Lery
Water Depth 6
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 20
Puddle Weld Ind No
Pipe Wall Thickness 0.344
Pipe Smys 52000
Pipe Specification X-52
Pipe Seam Type Flash Welded
Pipe Manufacturer A.o. Smith
Pipe Coating Type Other
Pipe Coating Details Concrete
Coating Applied Ind No
Installation Year 1953
Manufactured Year 1953
Material Involved Carbon Steel
Release Type Rupture
Rupture Orient Longitudinal
Rupture Length 156
Rupture Width 1
Class Location Type Class 1 Location
Could Be Hca No
Pir Radius 447
Heat Damage Ind No
Non Heat Damage Ind No
Did Occur In Mca Ind No
Est Cost Oper Paid 0
Est Cost Unintentional Release 279650
Est Cost Intentional Release 0
Est Cost Prop Damage 1300000
Est Cost Emergency 341000
Est Cost Other 0
Gas Cost In Mcf 7.99
Prpty 1920650
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 1051
Gas Flow In Pipe In Mcf 0
Mop Psig 1072
Mop Cfr Section Other View CFR 49 §192
Mop Cfr Section Details Prior To Code
Maop Established Date 1959-10-01 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 Manual
Length Segment Isolated 89760
Internal Inspection Ind Yes
Operation Complications 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 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 A review of the accident determined that there were no control room actions that contributed to the event.
Employee Drug Test Ind No
Contractor Drug Test Ind No
Cause Other Incident Cause
Cause Details Unknown
Other Type Unknown
Unknown Subtype Investigation Complete, Cause Of Incident Unknown
Incident Unknown Comments Due To Missing 13-Foot Piece Of Pipe, Cause Of The Rupture Cannot Be Determined.
Preparer Name N****** P********
Preparer Title Manager Pipeline Regulatory Compliance
Preparer Email N*********@t**********.com
Preparer Telephone 3462413368
Authorizer Name N****** P********
Authorizer Title Manager Pipeline Regulatory Compliance
Authorizer Telephone 3462413368
Authorizer Email N*********@t**********.com
Narrative Due to character limits, see original report 20220107 for incident description. *update 10/31/22* the lab company (stress engineering) that the samples were sent to is currently preforming metallurgical analysis on both samples that third coast sent. The chief incident investigator that third coast contracted to investigate the lake lery incident is still conducting the investigation and interviewing witnesses. Meetings with third coast, the investigator and the US coast guard has produced a marine casualty investigation by the coast guard. Repairs to the 20' are under way and are near completion including backfilling the hole that was created. To prevent this from occurring in the future the pipeline will buried, hole back filled and 2 levels of articulating concrete mates will be placed on top along this section of pipe. *update 01/05/23* the 20' gate 6 to toca line has been dewatered, cut, air gapped, and capped from any pressure source and placed under a nitrogen blanket. *update 02/7/23* stress engineering (ses) performed several examinations of the pipe samples sent for analysis including laser scanning, visual examination, scanning electron microscopy (sem), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (eds), x-ray diffraction (xrd), chemical analysis, mechanical testing and metallographic examination. The two transverse fractures on the two pipe segments (north and south) originated at the 6 o'clock position. The two helical, circumferential fractures likely occurred following a longitudinal rupture along the bottom of the 13-feet length pipe segment(s) that was/were displaced and never recovered. Pitting corrosion was found on the inside surface of the two pipe segments analyzed by ses. The pits were found to be as deep as 50% of the wall thickness in the north section. The inside surface scale contained iron carbonate and iron sulfide, while the deposits from the pits contained iron carbonate and iron oxide ' which are typical oilfield corrosion products from acid gases. The tensile properties met the requirements for grade x52 steel per API 5lx (1953) specifications. The microstructure of the pipe base material was typical of grade x52 carbon steel. Without the missing pipe segment(s) and the ability to examine it/them, ses cannot conclusively determine the cause of the rupture, nor can it rule out certain possible causes. Multiple attempts were conducted using a combination of divers and hydrographic/magnetometer up to 1 mile from release point; locating/marking and investigating by diver heavy metal debris targets. The 13-foot piece was never found and recovered.

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