YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections

Tennessee Gas Pipeline says third party contractor most likely caused rupture

BREAKING NEWS:

September 28, 2011|By Katie Perkowski

Heavy machinery is the likely culprit behind a Sept. 21 rupture in a 26-inch natural gas pipeline near the Trapp Community, Tennessee Gas Pipeline officials said today.

Tennessee Gas Pipeline investigators said a third-party contractor operating a track hoe had been operating around the rupture site at Howard’s Creek.

Richard Wheatley, manager of media relations for El Paso Corp., Tennessee Gas Pipeline’s parent company, said Wednesday investigators collected pieces of pipeline ejected when the line ruptured and studied pipeline remnants. A gouge in the line initiated the rupture, which contributed to a rapid depressurization of the line and a release of natural gas into the atmosphere, he said.

Wheatley said investigators have interviewed land owners and residents in the Trapp community. Witness reports and the evidence collected suggest that the gouge was made in the last several weeks, he said.

"Heavy equipment teeth marks” were found on weights used to keep the line from floating in the creek and an ejected piece, Wheatley said.

He said the company knows who was operating the equipment, but the company is not releasing a name.
The affected pipeline is not in service, and Tennessee Gas Pipeline will not return it to service until repairs are complete and a return to service plan has been approved by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Wheatley said the company will continue keeping the PHMSA, a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation, informed.

Wheatley said investigators and representatives of the company went door-to-door to speak to members of the Trapp community Monday and Tuesday, and they left door hangers for residents who were not home, explaining the findings of the investigation.

“We want to make sure that they have the latest information that we’ve been able to confirm and we wanted to also outline for the community our next steps,” he said.

The investigation will continue, and El Paso’s labaratory will conduct an analysis on samples from the ruptured pipeline to reach a “final conclusion” about the possible cause or causes of the rupture.

Wheatley reminded residents to call 811 or 1-800-752-6007 before digging. He said records indicated this number was not called before this rupture.

Contact Katie Perkowski at kperkowski@winchestersun.com or follow her on Twitter, @TheSunKatie.

|

|

|