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Serious Pipeline Incidents By Cause

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

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

Where appropriate, the table columns can be sorted by clicking the corresponding column header.

More Pipeline Incidents and Mileage Reports are available.

National All Pipeline Systems: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 12 2.8%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 1 0.1%
VARIOUS 57 1.4%
Sub Total 70 4.4%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 8 0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 39 4.0%
VARIOUS 373 29.6%
Sub Total 420 33.8%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 22 1.0%
VARIOUS 82 1.4%
Sub Total 104 2.4%
MATERIAL FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 2 0.1%
COMPONENT 4 0.0%
JOINT 2 0.2%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 0.0%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 0.0%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 4 0.5%
VARIOUS 88 4.3%
Sub Total 102 5.3%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 3 0.0%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.0%
HIGH WINDS 2 5.9%
LIGHTNING 1 0.0%
TEMPERATURE 1 0.1%
VARIOUS 78 5.6%
Sub Total 86 11.8%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 29 1.3%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 12 0.4%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 1 0.3%
VANDALISM 4 0.1%
Sub Total 46 2.2%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 17 0.2%
UNKNOWN 37 3.5%
VARIOUS 335 36.1%
Sub Total 389 39.9%
Totals 1,217 100.0%
National, All Pipeline Systems, 1988-2008 YTD

National, All Pipeline Systems, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1988 45 6 4 24 0 6 8
1989 31 8 7 34 0 3 4
1990 12 6 4 19 0 4 9
1991 19 6 6 26 0 5 5
1992 24 6 4 25 0 2 8
1993 24 4 9 18 0 6 6
1994 17 13 6 27 0 3 10
1995 17 3 8 22 0 4 5
1996 23 5 4 25 0 2 4
1997 17 4 3 19 0 3 3
1998 21 2 7 30 0 3 7
1999 18 3 8 25 0 6 6
2000 23 3 4 20 0 5 7
2001 13 3 3 17 0 3 1
2002 12 0 5 12 1 2 4
2003 15 3 4 31 3 0 5
2004 12 6 6 9 7 3 5
2005 10 2 7 8 11 2 1
2006 8 1 2 11 9 3 1
2007 18 1 2 13 9 3 1
National Hazardous Liquid: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 3 5.6%
VARIOUS 2 0.2%
Sub Total 5 5.9%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 4 3.1%
VARIOUS 29 21.1%
Sub Total 34 24.3%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 4 2.3%
VARIOUS 14 2.8%
Sub Total 18 5.2%
MATERIAL FAILURE
COMPONENT 1 0.2%
VARIOUS 2 3.4%
Sub Total 3 3.6%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
VARIOUS 1 1.8%
Sub Total 1 1.8%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
VANDALISM 1 0.1%
Sub Total 1 0.1%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 1 0.0%
UNKNOWN 2 3.0%
VARIOUS 40 55.8%
Sub Total 43 58.8%
Totals 105 100.0%
National, Hazardous Liquid, 1988-2008 YTD

National, Hazardous Liquid, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1988 5 0 2 3 0 1 0
1989 3 0 1 2 0 0 0
1990 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
1991 3 0 2 1 0 0 0
1992 5 0 1 2 0 0 0
1993 2 0 2 1 0 0 0
1994 3 1 0 1 0 0 1
1995 2 0 2 1 0 0 1
1996 4 0 0 6 0 0 0
1997 1 0 0 3 0 0 0
1998 1 0 1 3 0 0 0
1999 4 0 3 1 0 1 0
2000 1 0 0 2 0 0 0
2001 4 0 0 2 0 0 0
2002 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2003 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
2004 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
2005 1 0 1 1 0 1 0
2006 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2007 1 0 1 2 1 0 0
National Hazardous Liquid Onshore: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 3 5.6%
VARIOUS 2 0.2%
Sub Total 5 5.9%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 4 3.1%
VARIOUS 29 21.1%
Sub Total 34 24.3%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 4 2.3%
VARIOUS 14 2.8%
Sub Total 18 5.2%
MATERIAL FAILURE
COMPONENT 1 0.2%
VARIOUS 2 3.4%
Sub Total 3 3.6%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
VARIOUS 1 1.8%
Sub Total 1 1.8%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
VANDALISM 1 0.1%
Sub Total 1 0.1%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 1 0.0%
UNKNOWN 2 3.0%
VARIOUS 40 55.8%
Sub Total 43 58.8%
Totals 105 100.0%
National, Hazardous Liquid Onshore, 1988-2008 YTD

National, Hazardous Liquid Onshore, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1988 5 0 2 3 0 1 0
1989 3 0 1 2 0 0 0
1990 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
1991 3 0 2 1 0 0 0
1992 5 0 1 2 0 0 0
1993 2 0 2 1 0 0 0
1994 3 1 0 1 0 0 1
1995 2 0 2 1 0 0 1
1996 4 0 0 6 0 0 0
1997 1 0 0 3 0 0 0
1998 1 0 1 3 0 0 0
1999 4 0 3 1 0 1 0
2000 1 0 0 2 0 0 0
2001 4 0 0 2 0 0 0
2002 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2003 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
2004 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
2005 1 0 1 1 0 1 0
2006 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2007 1 0 1 2 1 0 0

No Data Available

National Gas Transmission: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 2 2.7%
VARIOUS 4 1.6%
Sub Total 6 4.4%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 2 0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 9 3.8%
VARIOUS 43 44.9%
Sub Total 54 48.9%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 5 0.0%
Sub Total 5 0.0%
MATERIAL FAILURE
COMPONENT 1 0.0%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 0.0%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 0.0%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 3 1.9%
VARIOUS 11 6.4%
Sub Total 17 8.4%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
VARIOUS 2 8.5%
Sub Total 2 8.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 5 0.3%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 0.0%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 1 1.1%
Sub Total 7 1.5%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 2 0.0%
UNKNOWN 4 1.4%
VARIOUS 55 26.7%
Sub Total 61 28.1%
Totals 152 100.0%
National, Gas Transmission, 1988-2008 YTD

National, Gas Transmission, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1988 4 0 0 3 0 0 0
1989 5 0 0 8 0 0 1
1990 5 0 0 3 0 1 3
1991 3 0 0 4 0 0 0
1992 6 0 0 3 0 0 1
1993 8 0 0 1 0 0 1
1994 1 1 0 5 0 1 2
1995 6 0 0 2 0 0 0
1996 3 0 0 2 0 1 0
1997 1 0 0 3 0 0 0
1998 4 1 0 3 0 0 3
1999 3 0 0 2 0 0 0
2000 2 0 0 4 0 1 0
2001 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
2003 0 0 2 2 2 0 2
2004 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
2005 2 0 1 1 1 0 0
2006 1 0 1 3 2 0 0
2007 2 0 1 2 1 2 0
National Gas Transmission Onshore: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 2 2.7%
VARIOUS 4 1.6%
Sub Total 6 4.4%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 2 0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 9 3.8%
VARIOUS 40 43.7%
Sub Total 51 47.7%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 5 0.0%
Sub Total 5 0.0%
MATERIAL FAILURE
COMPONENT 1 0.0%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 0.0%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 0.0%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 3 1.9%
VARIOUS 11 6.4%
Sub Total 17 8.4%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
VARIOUS 2 8.5%
Sub Total 2 8.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 5 0.3%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 0.0%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 1 1.1%
Sub Total 7 1.5%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 2 0.0%
UNKNOWN 4 1.4%
VARIOUS 53 26.6%
Sub Total 59 28.1%
Totals 147 98.6%
National, Gas Transmission Onshore, 1988-2008 YTD

National, Gas Transmission Onshore, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1988 4 0 0 3 0 0 0
1989 5 0 0 6 0 0 1
1990 4 0 0 3 0 1 3
1991 3 0 0 4 0 0 0
1992 6 0 0 3 0 0 1
1993 8 0 0 1 0 0 1
1994 1 1 0 4 0 1 2
1995 5 0 0 2 0 0 0
1996 3 0 0 2 0 1 0
1997 1 0 0 3 0 0 0
1998 4 1 0 3 0 0 3
1999 3 0 0 2 0 0 0
2000 2 0 0 4 0 1 0
2001 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
2003 0 0 2 2 2 0 2
2004 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
2005 2 0 1 1 1 0 0
2006 1 0 1 3 2 0 0
2007 2 0 1 2 1 2 0
National Gas Transmission Offshore: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
VARIOUS 3 1.2%
Sub Total 3 1.2%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
VARIOUS 2 0.0%
Sub Total 2 0.0%
Totals 5 1.3%
National, Gas Transmission Offshore, 1988-2008 YTD

National, Gas Transmission Offshore, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1989 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
1990 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
1994 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1995 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
National Gas Gathering: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
CORROSION
VARIOUS 3 10.2%
Sub Total 3 10.2%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
VARIOUS 2 41.8%
Sub Total 2 41.8%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 2 14.9%
Sub Total 2 14.9%
MATERIAL FAILURE
COMPONENT 1 0.2%
VARIOUS 1 0.0%
Sub Total 2 0.2%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 32.6%
Sub Total 1 32.6%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
VARIOUS 1 0.0%
Sub Total 1 0.0%
Totals 11 100.0%
National, Gas Gathering, 1988-2008 YTD

National, Gas Gathering, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1988 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
1991 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1992 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1993 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1995 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
2000 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2002 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2004 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2005 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
National Gas Distribution: Serious Incident Details: 1988-2008 YTD
Reported Cause of Incident Number % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 7 0.4%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 1 0.3%
VARIOUS 48 2.3%
Sub Total 56 3.1%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 5 0.2%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 26 4.9%
VARIOUS 299 26.4%
Sub Total 330 31.7%
HUMAN ERROR
INCORRECT OPERATION 11 0.5%
VARIOUS 68 1.1%
Sub Total 79 1.7%
MATERIAL FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 2 0.2%
COMPONENT 1 0.0%
JOINT 2 0.6%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 1 0.0%
VARIOUS 74 3.7%
Sub Total 80 4.6%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 3 0.2%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.0%
HIGH WINDS 2 14.7%
LIGHTNING 1 0.0%
TEMPERATURE 1 0.2%
VARIOUS 75 6.9%
Sub Total 83 22.1%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 23 3.1%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 11 1.0%
VANDALISM 3 0.1%
Sub Total 37 4.3%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 14 0.7%
UNKNOWN 31 5.2%
VARIOUS 239 26.2%
Sub Total 284 32.2%
Totals 949 100.0%
National, Gas Distribution, 1988-2008 YTD

National, Gas Distribution, Serious Incidents 1988-2007

Source Data

Year ALL OTHER CAUSES NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE HUMAN ERROR EXCAVATION DAMAGE OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE CORROSION MATERIAL FAILURE
1988 35 6 2 18 0 5 8
1989 23 8 6 24 0 3 3
1990 5 6 4 15 0 3 6
1991 13 6 4 20 0 5 5
1992 13 6 3 19 0 2 7
1993 14 4 7 16 0 5 5
1994 13 11 6 21 0 2 7
1995 9 3 6 19 0 3 3
1996 16 5 4 17 0 1 4
1997 15 4 3 13 0 3 3
1998 16 1 6 24 0 3 4
1999 11 3 5 22 0 5 6
2000 20 3 4 14 0 3 7
2001 5 3 3 15 0 3 1
2002 12 0 4 10 0 2 2
2003 14 3 1 29 1 0 3
2004 12 6 5 7 7 2 3
2005 7 2 4 6 10 1 1
2006 7 1 1 8 7 2 0
2007 15 1 0 9 7 1 1

Notes

  1. A serious pipeline safety incident is an event involving a fatality or injury requiring in-patient hospitalization.

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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