PHMSA Pipeline Safety Program

Stakeholder Communications

Home General Public Local Officials State Regulators Federal Agencies Emergency Officials Advocates Industry Excavators

Site Pages

Pipeline Basics

Safety Standards

Inspection

Enforcement

Incident & Mileage Reports

Damage Prevention

Alternative Fuels

Community Assistance and Technical Services

Land Use Planning

Public Meetings

Public Awareness

Liquefied Natural Gas

Pipeline Library

Pipeline Glossary

Links

State-specific information:

Significant Pipeline Incidents By Cause

This report is a sub-report of the Louisiana Significant Incident and Mileage Overview 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.

Important Update: As of October 2009, these reports were modified to exclude Gas Distribution incidents where fire/explosion was the primary cause of failure, such as a house fire that subsequently resulted in - but was not caused by - a distribution line failure (B)
Louisiana All Pipeline Systems: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number (B) % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 12 4.8% 1 0 $17,470,925 1.5%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 34 13.6% 0 0 $13,704,318 1.2%
VARIOUS 29 11.6% 0 0 $7,792,980 0.7%
Sub Total 75 30.1% 1 0 $38,968,223 3.4%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 2 0.8% 0 0 $215,603 0.0%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 8 3.2% 1 0 $3,092,119 0.2%
VARIOUS 12 4.8% 0 7 $12,657,676 1.1%
Sub Total 22 8.8% 1 7 $15,965,399 1.4%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 11 4.4% 0 2 $3,269,287 0.2%
Sub Total 11 4.4% 0 2 $3,269,287 0.2%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 2 0.8% 0 0 $282,579 0.0%
BUTT WELD 6 2.4% 0 0 $5,343,361 0.4%
COMPONENT 8 3.2% 0 0 $2,784,260 0.2%
FILLET WELD 2 0.8% 0 0 $361,315 0.0%
JOINT 7 2.8% 0 0 $2,102,551 0.1%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 0.4% 0 0 $280,981 0.0%
PIPE SEAM WELD 6 2.4% 0 0 $7,987,371 0.7%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 5 2.0% 0 0 $13,322,874 1.1%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 2 0.8% 0 0 $153,807 0.0%
VARIOUS 7 2.8% 0 0 $8,809,432 0.7%
Sub Total 46 18.4% 0 0 $41,428,536 3.7%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 28 11.2% 0 0 $708,783,457 63.3%
HIGH WINDS 6 2.4% 1 0 $223,649,425 20.0%
LIGHTNING 2 0.8% 0 0 $101,334 0.0%
VARIOUS 4 1.6% 1 0 $1,210,706 0.1%
Sub Total 40 16.0% 2 0 $933,744,924 83.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 14 5.6% 0 1 $27,092,974 2.4%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 2 0.8% 0 0 $4,710,604 0.4%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 1 0.4% 0 0 $1,788,512 0.1%
Sub Total 17 6.8% 0 1 $33,592,091 3.0%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 16 6.4% 0 1 $19,797,456 1.7%
UNKNOWN 10 4.0% 0 1 $27,538,329 2.4%
VARIOUS 12 4.8% 1 1 $3,772,347 0.3%
Sub Total 38 15.2% 1 3 $51,108,133 4.5%
Totals 249 100.0% 5 13 $1,118,076,596 100.0%
Louisiana, All Pipeline Systems, 1999-2008
Louisiana Hazardous Liquid: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 4 4.6% 0 0 $1,219,238 0.4%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 7 8.1% 0 0 $2,999,759 1.0%
VARIOUS 12 13.9% 0 0 $1,974,037 0.7%
Sub Total 23 26.7% 0 0 $6,193,035 2.2%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 2 2.3% 0 0 $215,603 0.0%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 2 2.3% 0 0 $747,225 0.2%
VARIOUS 2 2.3% 0 0 $833,105 0.3%
Sub Total 6 6.9% 0 0 $1,795,934 0.6%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 7 8.1% 0 0 $816,781 0.2%
Sub Total 7 8.1% 0 0 $816,781 0.2%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 1 1.1% 0 0 $170,404 0.0%
BUTT WELD 3 3.4% 0 0 $4,340,653 1.5%
COMPONENT 3 3.4% 0 0 $748,757 0.2%
FILLET WELD 2 2.3% 0 0 $361,315 0.1%
JOINT 3 3.4% 0 0 $975,098 0.3%
PIPE SEAM WELD 4 4.6% 0 0 $7,748,927 2.7%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 4 4.6% 0 0 $2,087,089 0.7%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 1 1.1% 0 0 $42,500 0.0%
VARIOUS 4 4.6% 0 0 $8,233,304 2.9%
Sub Total 25 29.0% 0 0 $24,708,049 8.7%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 4 4.6% 0 0 $42,094,307 14.9%
HIGH WINDS 2 2.3% 0 0 $184,876,397 65.7%
LIGHTNING 2 2.3% 0 0 $101,334 0.0%
Sub Total 8 9.3% 0 0 $227,072,039 80.7%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 3 3.4% 0 0 $14,571,844 5.1%
Sub Total 3 3.4% 0 0 $14,571,844 5.1%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 6 6.9% 0 0 $2,880,954 1.0%
UNKNOWN 1 1.1% 0 0 $943,450 0.3%
VARIOUS 7 8.1% 0 0 $2,379,087 0.8%
Sub Total 14 16.2% 0 0 $6,203,493 2.2%
Totals 86 100.0% 0 0 $281,361,180 100.0%
Louisiana, Hazardous Liquid, 1999-2008
Louisiana Hazardous Liquid Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 4 4.6% 0 0 $1,219,238 0.4%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 7 8.1% 0 0 $2,999,759 1.0%
VARIOUS 11 12.7% 0 0 $1,831,219 0.6%
Sub Total 22 25.5% 0 0 $6,050,217 2.1%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 2 2.3% 0 0 $215,603 0.0%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 2 2.3% 0 0 $747,225 0.2%
VARIOUS 2 2.3% 0 0 $833,105 0.3%
Sub Total 6 6.9% 0 0 $1,795,934 0.6%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 7 8.1% 0 0 $816,781 0.2%
Sub Total 7 8.1% 0 0 $816,781 0.2%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 1 1.1% 0 0 $170,404 0.0%
BUTT WELD 3 3.4% 0 0 $4,340,653 1.5%
COMPONENT 3 3.4% 0 0 $748,757 0.2%
FILLET WELD 2 2.3% 0 0 $361,315 0.1%
JOINT 3 3.4% 0 0 $975,098 0.3%
PIPE SEAM WELD 4 4.6% 0 0 $7,748,927 2.7%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 4 4.6% 0 0 $2,087,089 0.7%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 1 1.1% 0 0 $42,500 0.0%
VARIOUS 3 3.4% 0 0 $4,256,973 1.5%
Sub Total 24 27.9% 0 0 $20,731,718 7.3%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 4 4.6% 0 0 $42,094,307 14.9%
HIGH WINDS 2 2.3% 0 0 $184,876,397 65.7%
LIGHTNING 2 2.3% 0 0 $101,334 0.0%
Sub Total 8 9.3% 0 0 $227,072,039 80.7%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 3 3.4% 0 0 $14,571,844 5.1%
Sub Total 3 3.4% 0 0 $14,571,844 5.1%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 6 6.9% 0 0 $2,880,954 1.0%
UNKNOWN 1 1.1% 0 0 $943,450 0.3%
VARIOUS 7 8.1% 0 0 $2,379,087 0.8%
Sub Total 14 16.2% 0 0 $6,203,493 2.2%
Totals 84 97.6% 0 0 $277,242,030 98.5%
Louisiana, Hazardous Liquid Onshore, 1999-2008
Louisiana Hazardous Liquid Offshore: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
VARIOUS 1 1.1% 0 0 $142,818 0.0%
Sub Total 1 1.1% 0 0 $142,818 0.0%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
VARIOUS 1 1.1% 0 0 $3,976,331 1.4%
Sub Total 1 1.1% 0 0 $3,976,331 1.4%
Totals 2 2.3% 0 0 $4,119,149 1.4%
Louisiana, Hazardous Liquid Offshore, 1999-2008
Louisiana Gas Transmission: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 8 5.9% 1 0 $16,251,686 6.3%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 20 14.8% 0 0 $6,881,082 2.6%
VARIOUS 12 8.8% 0 0 $2,981,830 1.1%
Sub Total 40 29.6% 1 0 $26,114,598 10.1%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 6 4.4% 1 0 $2,344,893 0.9%
VARIOUS 4 2.9% 0 5 $2,213,855 0.8%
Sub Total 10 7.4% 1 5 $4,558,748 1.7%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 4 2.9% 0 2 $2,452,506 0.9%
Sub Total 4 2.9% 0 2 $2,452,506 0.9%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 1 0.7% 0 0 $112,175 0.0%
BUTT WELD 3 2.2% 0 0 $1,002,708 0.3%
COMPONENT 5 3.7% 0 0 $2,035,502 0.7%
JOINT 4 2.9% 0 0 $1,127,452 0.4%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 0.7% 0 0 $280,981 0.1%
PIPE SEAM WELD 2 1.4% 0 0 $238,443 0.0%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 0.7% 0 0 $11,235,785 4.3%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 1 0.7% 0 0 $111,307 0.0%
VARIOUS 3 2.2% 0 0 $576,128 0.2%
Sub Total 21 15.5% 0 0 $16,720,486 6.4%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 21 15.5% 0 0 $141,091,100 54.7%
HIGH WINDS 2 1.4% 0 0 $1,953,028 0.7%
VARIOUS 3 2.2% 0 0 $1,210,706 0.4%
Sub Total 26 19.2% 0 0 $144,254,836 55.9%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 11 8.1% 0 1 $12,521,129 4.8%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 2 1.4% 0 0 $4,710,604 1.8%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 1 0.7% 0 0 $1,788,512 0.6%
Sub Total 14 10.3% 0 1 $19,020,246 7.3%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 9 6.6% 0 1 $16,814,511 6.5%
UNKNOWN 9 6.6% 0 1 $26,594,878 10.3%
VARIOUS 2 1.4% 0 0 $1,203,313 0.4%
Sub Total 20 14.8% 0 2 $44,612,703 17.3%
Totals 135 100.0% 2 10 $257,734,127 100.0%
Louisiana, Gas Transmission, 1999-2008
Louisiana Gas Transmission Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 7 5.1% 1 0 $16,056,852 6.2%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 6 4.4% 0 0 $2,081,275 0.8%
VARIOUS 5 3.7% 0 0 $1,606,346 0.6%
Sub Total 18 13.3% 1 0 $19,744,473 7.6%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 5 3.7% 1 0 $695,983 0.2%
VARIOUS 2 1.4% 0 5 $733,260 0.2%
Sub Total 7 5.1% 1 5 $1,429,244 0.5%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 4 2.9% 0 2 $2,452,506 0.9%
Sub Total 4 2.9% 0 2 $2,452,506 0.9%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
COMPONENT 2 1.4% 0 0 $540,110 0.2%
JOINT 1 0.7% 0 0 $358,387 0.1%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 0.7% 0 0 $280,981 0.1%
PIPE SEAM WELD 2 1.4% 0 0 $238,443 0.0%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 0.7% 0 0 $11,235,785 4.3%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 1 0.7% 0 0 $111,307 0.0%
VARIOUS 3 2.2% 0 0 $576,128 0.2%
Sub Total 11 8.1% 0 0 $13,341,144 5.1%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 5 3.7% 0 0 $73,801,245 28.6%
HIGH WINDS 1 0.7% 0 0 $198,827 0.0%
VARIOUS 2 1.4% 0 0 $883,415 0.3%
Sub Total 8 5.9% 0 0 $74,883,488 29.0%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 5 3.7% 0 1 $8,459,387 3.2%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 2 1.4% 0 0 $4,710,604 1.8%
Sub Total 7 5.1% 0 1 $13,169,992 5.1%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 4 2.9% 0 1 $609,110 0.2%
UNKNOWN 4 2.9% 0 1 $25,229,880 9.7%
VARIOUS 2 1.4% 0 0 $1,203,313 0.4%
Sub Total 10 7.4% 0 2 $27,042,304 10.4%
Totals 65 48.1% 2 10 $152,063,152 59.0%
Louisiana, Gas Transmission Onshore, 1999-2008
Louisiana Gas Transmission Offshore: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 1 0.7% 0 0 $194,833 0.0%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 14 10.3% 0 0 $4,799,807 1.8%
VARIOUS 7 5.1% 0 0 $1,375,484 0.5%
Sub Total 22 16.3% 0 0 $6,370,125 2.4%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 0.7% 0 0 $1,648,909 0.6%
VARIOUS 2 1.4% 0 0 $1,480,594 0.5%
Sub Total 3 2.2% 0 0 $3,129,504 1.2%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 1 0.7% 0 0 $112,175 0.0%
BUTT WELD 3 2.2% 0 0 $1,002,708 0.3%
COMPONENT 3 2.2% 0 0 $1,495,392 0.5%
JOINT 3 2.2% 0 0 $769,065 0.3%
Sub Total 10 7.4% 0 0 $3,379,342 1.3%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 16 11.8% 0 0 $67,289,855 26.1%
HIGH WINDS 1 0.7% 0 0 $1,754,200 0.6%
VARIOUS 1 0.7% 0 0 $327,291 0.1%
Sub Total 18 13.3% 0 0 $69,371,348 26.9%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 6 4.4% 0 0 $4,061,742 1.5%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 1 0.7% 0 0 $1,788,512 0.6%
Sub Total 7 5.1% 0 0 $5,850,254 2.2%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 5 3.7% 0 0 $16,205,401 6.2%
UNKNOWN 5 3.7% 0 0 $1,364,997 0.5%
Sub Total 10 7.4% 0 0 $17,570,399 6.8%
Totals 70 51.8% 0 0 $105,670,974 41.0%
Louisiana, Gas Transmission Offshore, 1999-2008
Louisiana Gas Gathering: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, INTERNAL 7 41.1% 0 0 $3,823,476 7.2%
VARIOUS 5 29.4% 0 0 $2,837,111 5.3%
Sub Total 12 70.5% 0 0 $6,660,588 12.5%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
VARIOUS 2 11.7% 0 0 $9,141,069 17.2%
Sub Total 2 11.7% 0 0 $9,141,069 17.2%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 5.8% 0 0 $350,840 0.6%
HIGH WINDS 1 5.8% 0 0 $36,820,000 69.3%
Sub Total 2 11.7% 0 0 $37,170,840 70.0%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 1 5.8% 0 0 $101,990 0.1%
Sub Total 1 5.8% 0 0 $101,990 0.1%
Totals 17 100.0% 0 0 $53,074,488 100.0%
Louisiana, Gas Gathering, 1999-2008
Louisiana Gas Distribution: Significant Incident Details: 1999-2008
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number (B) % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
VARIOUS 4 36.3% 0 2 $469,645 0.0%
Sub Total 4 36.3% 0 2 $469,645 0.0%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 2 18.1% 0 0 $525,247,209 99.8%
HIGH WINDS 1 9.0% 1 0 $0 0.0%
VARIOUS 1 9.0% 1 0 $0 0.0%
Sub Total 4 36.3% 2 0 $525,247,209 99.8%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
VARIOUS 3 27.2% 1 1 $189,946 0.0%
Sub Total 3 27.2% 1 1 $189,946 0.0%
Totals 11 100.0% 3 3 $525,906,801 100.0%
Louisiana, Gas Distribution, 1999-2008

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. Gas Distribution incidents where fire/explosion was the primary cause of failure, such as a house fire that subsequently resulted in - but was not caused by - a distribution line failure are excluded from 2004 onward. This exclusion has not been applied in years prior to 2004 due to difficulty in identifying these types of events with the older report formats.
  3. PHMSA has gathered increasingly targeted incident cause data over time. As such, the available reportable categories of cause (eg: Internal/External Corrosion vs Corrosion in general) have increased over time. This report spans time periods over which the reportable cause categories have changed. The cause categories in this report should be taken as general and not specific for years prior to 2002 for Liquid and Gas Transmission, and prior to 2004 for Gas Distribution.
  4. The costs for incidents prior to 2008 are presented in 2008 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.
  5. 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 2008 dollars.

Sources

  1. PHMSA Hazardous Liquid Flagged Incidents File - October 14, 2009
  2. PHMSA Gas Transmission Flagged Incidents File - October 14, 2009
  3. PHMSA Gas Distribution Flagged Incidents File - October 14, 2009

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

Feedback | Information Highlights Directory | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Policy | ©2005-2009 PHMSA | PHMSA Home | Generated: 11/05/09 11:13:21 AM