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Significant Pipeline Incidents By Cause

This report is a sub-report of the PHMSA Significant Pipeline Incidents report. As such, it represents Significant Incidents (A) only over the time period and pipeline system specified.

The data source for this table is the PHMSA Filtered Incident Files. (1) (2) (3)

More Pipeline Incidents and Mileage Reports are available.

National All Pipeline Systems: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 23 7.7% 0 0 $15,252,988 11.2%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 24 8.1% 0 0 $18,829,702 13.8%
Sub Total 47 15.8% 0 0 $34,082,691 25.0%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 4 1.3% 0 0 $242,611 0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 25 8.4% 1 2 $10,499,488 7.7%
VARIOUS 52 17.5% 4 37 $10,790,999 7.9%
Sub Total 81 27.3% 5 39 $21,533,099 15.8%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 13 4.3% 0 6 $830,547 0.6%
VARIOUS 2 0.6% 0 1 $99,709 0.0%
Sub Total 15 5.0% 0 7 $930,257 0.6%
MATERIAL FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 6 2.0% 0 0 $6,399,135 4.7%
BUTT WELD 9 3.0% 0 0 $20,689,251 15.2%
COMPONENT 10 3.3% 0 0 $1,588,209 1.1%
FILLET WELD 2 0.6% 0 0 $1,206,095 0.8%
JOINT 7 2.3% 0 0 $2,116,359 1.5%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 5 1.6% 0 0 $581,292 0.4%
PIPE SEAM WELD 8 2.7% 0 0 $5,425,917 3.9%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 8 2.7% 0 1 $345,400 0.2%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 6 2.0% 0 1 $4,111,494 3.0%
VARIOUS 3 1.0% 0 3 $0 0.0%
Sub Total 64 21.6% 0 5 $42,463,157 31.2%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 3 1.0% 0 0 $886,791 0.6%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.3% 0 0 $49,854 0.0%
LIGHTNING 3 1.0% 0 0 $1,616,659 1.1%
TEMPERATURE 2 0.6% 0 0 $879,663 0.6%
VARIOUS 19 6.4% 0 5 $5,657,986 4.1%
Sub Total 28 9.4% 0 5 $9,090,955 6.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 8 2.7% 0 3 $2,443,698 1.8%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 2 0.6% 0 0 $5,947,543 4.3%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 2 0.6% 0 0 $887,418 0.6%
VANDALISM 1 0.3% 0 0 $25,994 0.0%
Sub Total 13 4.3% 0 3 $9,304,654 6.8%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 15 5.0% 0 1 $6,109,955 4.5%
UNKNOWN 6 2.0% 0 0 $5,923,473 4.3%
VARIOUS 27 9.1% 7 11 $6,396,664 4.7%
Sub Total 48 16.2% 7 12 $18,430,094 13.5%
Totals 296 100.0% 12 71 $135,834,910 100.0%
National, All Pipeline Systems, 2003
National Hazardous Liquid: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 17 14.1% 0 0 $5,707,513 10.4%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 12 10.0% 0 0 $1,751,613 3.2%
Sub Total 29 24.1% 0 0 $7,459,127 13.6%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 3 2.5% 0 0 $47,639 0.0%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 15 12.5% 0 0 $6,095,139 11.1%
Sub Total 18 15.0% 0 0 $6,142,778 11.2%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 7 5.8% 0 4 $195,484 0.3%
Sub Total 7 5.8% 0 4 $195,484 0.3%
MATERIAL FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 2.5% 0 0 $2,025,490 3.7%
BUTT WELD 6 5.0% 0 0 $20,043,504 36.7%
COMPONENT 10 8.3% 0 0 $1,588,209 2.9%
FILLET WELD 1 0.8% 0 0 $141,809 0.2%
JOINT 5 4.1% 0 0 $1,503,493 2.7%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 4 3.3% 0 0 $374,367 0.6%
PIPE SEAM WELD 3 2.5% 0 0 $3,491,938 6.4%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 7 5.8% 0 0 $345,400 0.6%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 2 1.6% 0 0 $29,857 0.0%
Sub Total 41 34.1% 0 0 $29,544,072 54.1%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 2 1.6% 0 0 $325,556 0.6%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.8% 0 0 $49,854 0.0%
LIGHTNING 2 1.6% 0 0 $1,250,413 2.2%
TEMPERATURE 2 1.6% 0 0 $879,663 1.6%
Sub Total 7 5.8% 0 0 $2,505,488 4.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 0.8% 0 0 $622,046 1.1%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 0.8% 0 0 $2,611,828 4.7%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 2 1.6% 0 0 $887,418 1.6%
VANDALISM 1 0.8% 0 0 $25,994 0.0%
Sub Total 5 4.1% 0 0 $4,147,287 7.6%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 10 8.3% 0 1 $3,689,030 6.7%
UNKNOWN 2 1.6% 0 0 $855,425 1.5%
VARIOUS 1 0.8% 0 0 $67 0.0%
Sub Total 13 10.8% 0 1 $4,544,523 8.3%
Totals 120 100.0% 0 5 $54,538,762 100.0%
National, Hazardous Liquid, 2003
National Hazardous Liquid Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 17 14.1% 0 0 $5,707,513 10.4%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 12 10.0% 0 0 $1,751,613 3.2%
Sub Total 29 24.1% 0 0 $7,459,127 13.6%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 3 2.5% 0 0 $47,639 0.0%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 15 12.5% 0 0 $6,095,139 11.1%
Sub Total 18 15.0% 0 0 $6,142,778 11.2%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 7 5.8% 0 4 $195,484 0.3%
Sub Total 7 5.8% 0 4 $195,484 0.3%
MATERIAL FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 2.5% 0 0 $2,025,490 3.7%
BUTT WELD 6 5.0% 0 0 $20,043,504 36.7%
COMPONENT 10 8.3% 0 0 $1,588,209 2.9%
FILLET WELD 1 0.8% 0 0 $141,809 0.2%
JOINT 5 4.1% 0 0 $1,503,493 2.7%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 4 3.3% 0 0 $374,367 0.6%
PIPE SEAM WELD 3 2.5% 0 0 $3,491,938 6.4%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 7 5.8% 0 0 $345,400 0.6%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 2 1.6% 0 0 $29,857 0.0%
Sub Total 41 34.1% 0 0 $29,544,072 54.1%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 2 1.6% 0 0 $325,556 0.6%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.8% 0 0 $49,854 0.0%
LIGHTNING 2 1.6% 0 0 $1,250,413 2.2%
TEMPERATURE 2 1.6% 0 0 $879,663 1.6%
Sub Total 7 5.8% 0 0 $2,505,488 4.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 0.8% 0 0 $622,046 1.1%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 0.8% 0 0 $2,611,828 4.7%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 2 1.6% 0 0 $887,418 1.6%
VANDALISM 1 0.8% 0 0 $25,994 0.0%
Sub Total 5 4.1% 0 0 $4,147,287 7.6%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 10 8.3% 0 1 $3,689,030 6.7%
UNKNOWN 2 1.6% 0 0 $855,425 1.5%
VARIOUS 1 0.8% 0 0 $67 0.0%
Sub Total 13 10.8% 0 1 $4,544,523 8.3%
Totals 120 100.0% 0 5 $54,538,762 100.0%
National, Hazardous Liquid Onshore, 2003

No Data Available

National Gas Transmission: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 6 8.7% 0 0 $9,545,475 16.9%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 10 14.4% 0 0 $16,600,925 29.5%
Sub Total 16 23.1% 0 0 $26,146,400 46.5%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 1.4% 0 0 $194,972 0.3%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 10 14.4% 1 2 $4,404,348 7.8%
Sub Total 11 15.9% 1 2 $4,599,321 8.1%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 6 8.7% 0 2 $635,062 1.1%
Sub Total 6 8.7% 0 2 $635,062 1.1%
MATERIAL FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 4.3% 0 0 $4,373,645 7.7%
BUTT WELD 3 4.3% 0 0 $645,746 1.1%
FILLET WELD 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,064,286 1.8%
JOINT 2 2.9% 0 0 $612,866 1.0%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $206,924 0.3%
PIPE SEAM WELD 5 7.2% 0 0 $1,933,979 3.4%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 1.4% 0 1 $0 0.0%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 3 4.3% 0 1 $2,554,422 4.5%
Sub Total 19 27.5% 0 2 $11,391,870 20.2%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $561,234 1.0%
LIGHTNING 1 1.4% 0 0 $366,245 0.6%
Sub Total 2 2.9% 0 0 $927,480 1.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 6 8.7% 0 2 $1,818,328 3.2%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 1.4% 0 0 $3,335,714 5.9%
Sub Total 7 10.1% 0 2 $5,154,043 9.1%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 5 7.2% 0 0 $2,420,925 4.3%
UNKNOWN 3 4.3% 0 0 $4,957,259 8.8%
Sub Total 8 11.5% 0 0 $7,378,184 13.1%
Totals 69 100.0% 1 8 $56,232,363 100.0%
National, Gas Transmission, 2003
National Gas Transmission Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 6 8.7% 0 0 $9,545,475 16.9%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 5 7.2% 0 0 $15,426,010 27.4%
Sub Total 11 15.9% 0 0 $24,971,485 44.4%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 1.4% 0 0 $194,972 0.3%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 9 13.0% 1 2 $2,843,300 5.0%
Sub Total 10 14.4% 1 2 $3,038,273 5.4%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 6 8.7% 0 2 $635,062 1.1%
Sub Total 6 8.7% 0 2 $635,062 1.1%
MATERIAL FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 4.3% 0 0 $4,373,645 7.7%
BUTT WELD 3 4.3% 0 0 $645,746 1.1%
FILLET WELD 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,064,286 1.8%
JOINT 2 2.9% 0 0 $612,866 1.0%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $206,924 0.3%
PIPE SEAM WELD 5 7.2% 0 0 $1,933,979 3.4%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 1.4% 0 1 $0 0.0%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 3 4.3% 0 1 $2,554,422 4.5%
Sub Total 19 27.5% 0 2 $11,391,870 20.2%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
LIGHTNING 1 1.4% 0 0 $366,245 0.6%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $366,245 0.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 5 7.2% 0 2 $1,406,951 2.5%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 1.4% 0 0 $3,335,714 5.9%
Sub Total 6 8.7% 0 2 $4,742,666 8.4%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 5 7.2% 0 0 $2,420,925 4.3%
UNKNOWN 3 4.3% 0 0 $4,957,259 8.8%
Sub Total 8 11.5% 0 0 $7,378,184 13.1%
Totals 61 88.4% 1 8 $52,523,788 93.4%
National, Gas Transmission Onshore, 2003
National Gas Transmission Offshore: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, INTERNAL 5 7.2% 0 0 $1,174,915 2.0%
Sub Total 5 7.2% 0 0 $1,174,915 2.0%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,561,047 2.7%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,561,047 2.7%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $561,234 1.0%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $561,234 1.0%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 1.4% 0 0 $411,376 0.7%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $411,376 0.7%
Totals 8 11.5% 0 0 $3,708,574 6.6%
National, Gas Transmission Offshore, 2003
National Gas Gathering: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, INTERNAL 2 66.6% 0 0 $477,163 23.8%
Sub Total 2 66.6% 0 0 $477,163 23.8%
MATERIAL FAILURE
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 1 33.3% 0 0 $1,527,215 76.1%
Sub Total 1 33.3% 0 0 $1,527,215 76.1%
Totals 3 100.0% 0 0 $2,004,378 100.0%
National, Gas Gathering, 2003
National Gas Distribution: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (B) (C) % of Property Damage
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
VARIOUS 52 50.0% 4 37 $10,790,999 46.8%
Sub Total 52 50.0% 4 37 $10,790,999 46.8%
HUMAN ERROR
VARIOUS 2 1.9% 0 1 $99,709 0.4%
Sub Total 2 1.9% 0 1 $99,709 0.4%
MATERIAL FAILURE
VARIOUS 3 2.8% 0 3 $0 0.0%
Sub Total 3 2.8% 0 3 $0 0.0%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
VARIOUS 19 18.2% 0 5 $5,657,986 24.5%
Sub Total 19 18.2% 0 5 $5,657,986 24.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 0.9% 0 1 $3,323 0.0%
Sub Total 1 0.9% 0 1 $3,323 0.0%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
UNKNOWN 1 0.9% 0 0 $110,788 0.4%
VARIOUS 26 25.0% 7 11 $6,396,597 27.7%
Sub Total 27 25.9% 7 11 $6,507,385 28.2%
Totals 104 100.0% 11 58 $23,059,405 100.0%
National, Gas Distribution, 2003

Notes

  1. Significant Incidents are those incidents reported by pipeline operators with any of the following conditions are met: 1) fatality or injury requiring in-patient hospitalization. 2) $50,000 or more in total costs, measured in 1984 dollars. 3) highly volatile liquid releases of 5 barrels or more or other liquid releases of 50 barrels or more. 4) liquid releases resulting in an unintentional fire or explosion. Note: Significant Incidents include all Serious Incidents. Unless otherwise noted, any counts of Significant Incidents also include Serious Incidents.
  2. Costs in the current year (2008) are nominal (as reported). The costs for incidents prior to 2008 are presented in 2007 dollars. Cost of Gas lost is indexed via the Energy Information Administration, Natural Gas City Gate Prices. All other costs are adjusted via the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Government Printing Office inflation values.
  3. For years 2002 and later, property damage is estimated as the sum of all public and private costs reported in the 30-day incident report. For years prior to 2002, accident report forms did not include a breakdown of public and private costs so property damage for these years is the reported total property damage field in the report. All costs prior to 2008 are expressed in 2007 dollars. Costs in current year (2008) are nominal.

Sources

  1. PHMSA Hazardous Liquid Filtered Incidents File - October 14, 2008
  2. PHMSA Gas Transmission Filtered Incidents File - October 14, 2008
  3. PHMSA Gas Distribution Filtered Incidents File - October 14, 2008

See Pipeline Incidents and Mileage Reports for more pipeline safety reports.

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