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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.

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)
National All Pipeline Systems: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number (B) % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 23 7.7% 0 0 $15,912,622 11.1%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 24 8.0% 0 0 $19,920,013 13.9%
Sub Total 47 15.8% 0 0 $35,832,635 25.0%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 5 1.6% 0 0 $375,903 0.2%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 25 8.4% 1 2 $11,026,540 7.7%
VARIOUS 52 17.5% 4 37 $11,207,842 7.8%
Sub Total 82 27.6% 5 39 $22,610,287 15.8%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 13 4.3% 0 6 $874,575 0.6%
VARIOUS 2 0.6% 0 1 $103,561 0.0%
Sub Total 15 5.0% 0 7 $978,137 0.6%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 6 2.0% 0 0 $6,696,486 4.6%
BUTT WELD 9 3.0% 0 0 $21,505,538 15.0%
COMPONENT 10 3.3% 0 0 $1,649,559 1.1%
FILLET WELD 2 0.6% 0 0 $1,271,860 0.8%
JOINT 7 2.3% 0 0 $2,232,564 1.5%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 5 1.6% 0 0 $611,521 0.4%
PIPE SEAM WELD 8 2.6% 0 0 $5,699,471 3.9%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 8 2.6% 0 1 $358,743 0.2%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 6 2.0% 0 1 $4,276,157 2.9%
VARIOUS 3 1.0% 0 3 $0 0.0%
Sub Total 64 21.5% 0 5 $44,301,904 30.9%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 3 1.0% 0 0 $921,320 0.6%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.3% 0 0 $51,780 0.0%
LIGHTNING 3 1.0% 0 0 $1,680,293 1.1%
TEMPERATURE 2 0.6% 0 0 $913,643 0.6%
VARIOUS 19 6.4% 0 5 $5,876,547 4.1%
Sub Total 28 9.4% 0 5 $9,443,587 6.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 8 2.6% 0 3 $2,547,984 1.7%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 2 0.6% 0 0 $6,298,875 4.4%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 2 0.6% 0 0 $921,698 0.6%
VANDALISM 1 0.3% 0 0 $26,998 0.0%
Sub Total 13 4.3% 0 3 $9,795,557 6.8%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 16 5.3% 0 1 $7,256,402 5.0%
UNKNOWN 5 1.6% 0 0 $6,158,024 4.3%
VARIOUS 27 9.0% 7 11 $6,643,760 4.6%
Sub Total 48 16.1% 7 12 $20,058,187 14.0%
Totals 297 100.0% 12 71 $143,020,296 100.0%
Export Table
National, All Pipeline Systems, 2003
National Hazardous Liquid: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 17 14.0% 0 0 $5,927,988 10.3%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 12 9.9% 0 0 $2,080,566 3.6%
Sub Total 29 23.9% 0 0 $8,008,554 14.0%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 4 3.3% 0 0 $167,252 0.2%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 15 12.4% 0 0 $6,397,361 11.2%
Sub Total 19 15.7% 0 0 $6,564,613 11.4%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 7 5.7% 0 4 $203,036 0.3%
Sub Total 7 5.7% 0 4 $203,036 0.3%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 2.4% 0 0 $2,103,732 3.6%
BUTT WELD 6 4.9% 0 0 $20,817,761 36.4%
COMPONENT 10 8.2% 0 0 $1,649,559 2.8%
FILLET WELD 1 0.8% 0 0 $147,287 0.2%
JOINT 5 4.1% 0 0 $1,591,728 2.7%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 4 3.3% 0 0 $388,829 0.6%
PIPE SEAM WELD 3 2.4% 0 0 $3,626,827 6.3%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 7 5.7% 0 0 $358,743 0.6%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 2 1.6% 0 0 $31,010 0.0%
Sub Total 41 33.8% 0 0 $30,715,481 53.7%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 2 1.6% 0 0 $338,132 0.5%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.8% 0 0 $51,780 0.0%
LIGHTNING 2 1.6% 0 0 $1,298,715 2.2%
TEMPERATURE 2 1.6% 0 0 $913,643 1.6%
Sub Total 7 5.7% 0 0 $2,602,272 4.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 0.8% 0 0 $646,075 1.1%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 0.8% 0 0 $2,712,720 4.7%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 2 1.6% 0 0 $921,698 1.6%
VANDALISM 1 0.8% 0 0 $26,998 0.0%
Sub Total 5 4.1% 0 0 $4,307,492 7.5%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 10 8.2% 0 1 $3,831,533 6.7%
UNKNOWN 2 1.6% 0 0 $888,469 1.5%
VARIOUS 1 0.8% 0 0 $70 0.0%
Sub Total 13 10.7% 0 1 $4,720,072 8.2%
Totals 121 100.0% 0 5 $57,121,523 100.0%
Export Table
National, Hazardous Liquid, 2003
National Hazardous Liquid Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 17 14.0% 0 0 $5,927,988 10.3%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 12 9.9% 0 0 $2,080,566 3.6%
Sub Total 29 23.9% 0 0 $8,008,554 14.0%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 4 3.3% 0 0 $167,252 0.2%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 15 12.4% 0 0 $6,397,361 11.2%
Sub Total 19 15.7% 0 0 $6,564,613 11.4%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 7 5.7% 0 4 $203,036 0.3%
Sub Total 7 5.7% 0 4 $203,036 0.3%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 2.4% 0 0 $2,103,732 3.6%
BUTT WELD 6 4.9% 0 0 $20,817,761 36.4%
COMPONENT 10 8.2% 0 0 $1,649,559 2.8%
FILLET WELD 1 0.8% 0 0 $147,287 0.2%
JOINT 5 4.1% 0 0 $1,591,728 2.7%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 4 3.3% 0 0 $388,829 0.6%
PIPE SEAM WELD 3 2.4% 0 0 $3,626,827 6.3%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 7 5.7% 0 0 $358,743 0.6%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 2 1.6% 0 0 $31,010 0.0%
Sub Total 41 33.8% 0 0 $30,715,481 53.7%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 2 1.6% 0 0 $338,132 0.5%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS 1 0.8% 0 0 $51,780 0.0%
LIGHTNING 2 1.6% 0 0 $1,298,715 2.2%
TEMPERATURE 2 1.6% 0 0 $913,643 1.6%
Sub Total 7 5.7% 0 0 $2,602,272 4.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 0.8% 0 0 $646,075 1.1%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 0.8% 0 0 $2,712,720 4.7%
RUPTURE OF PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED PIPE 2 1.6% 0 0 $921,698 1.6%
VANDALISM 1 0.8% 0 0 $26,998 0.0%
Sub Total 5 4.1% 0 0 $4,307,492 7.5%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 10 8.2% 0 1 $3,831,533 6.7%
UNKNOWN 2 1.6% 0 0 $888,469 1.5%
VARIOUS 1 0.8% 0 0 $70 0.0%
Sub Total 13 10.7% 0 1 $4,720,072 8.2%
Totals 121 100.0% 0 5 $57,121,523 100.0%
Export Table
National, Hazardous Liquid Onshore, 2003

No Data Available

National Gas Transmission: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 6 8.5% 0 0 $9,984,634 16.6%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 10 14.2% 0 0 $17,333,333 28.9%
Sub Total 16 22.8% 0 0 $27,317,967 45.5%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 1.4% 0 0 $208,651 0.3%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 10 14.2% 1 2 $4,629,178 7.7%
Sub Total 11 15.7% 1 2 $4,837,830 8.0%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 6 8.5% 0 2 $671,539 1.1%
Sub Total 6 8.5% 0 2 $671,539 1.1%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 4.2% 0 0 $4,592,753 7.6%
BUTT WELD 3 4.2% 0 0 $687,777 1.1%
FILLET WELD 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,124,573 1.8%
JOINT 2 2.8% 0 0 $640,835 1.0%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $222,692 0.3%
PIPE SEAM WELD 5 7.1% 0 0 $2,072,643 3.4%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 1.4% 0 1 $0 0.0%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 3 4.2% 0 1 $2,658,931 4.4%
Sub Total 19 27.1% 0 2 $12,000,207 20.0%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $583,188 0.9%
LIGHTNING 1 1.4% 0 0 $381,577 0.6%
Sub Total 2 2.8% 0 0 $964,766 1.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 6 8.5% 0 2 $1,898,457 3.1%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 1.4% 0 0 $3,586,155 5.9%
Sub Total 7 10.0% 0 2 $5,484,613 9.1%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 6 8.5% 0 0 $3,424,869 5.7%
UNKNOWN 3 4.2% 0 0 $5,269,555 8.7%
Sub Total 9 12.8% 0 0 $8,694,424 14.5%
Totals 70 100.0% 1 8 $59,971,349 100.0%
Export Table
National, Gas Transmission, 2003
National Gas Transmission Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, EXTERNAL 6 8.5% 0 0 $9,984,634 16.6%
CORROSION, INTERNAL 5 7.1% 0 0 $16,111,180 26.8%
Sub Total 11 15.7% 0 0 $26,095,814 43.5%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 1.4% 0 0 $208,651 0.3%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 9 12.8% 1 2 $2,980,269 4.9%
Sub Total 10 14.2% 1 2 $3,188,921 5.3%
INCORRECT OPERATION
INCORRECT OPERATION 6 8.5% 0 2 $671,539 1.1%
Sub Total 6 8.5% 0 2 $671,539 1.1%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE 3 4.2% 0 0 $4,592,753 7.6%
BUTT WELD 3 4.2% 0 0 $687,777 1.1%
FILLET WELD 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,124,573 1.8%
JOINT 2 2.8% 0 0 $640,835 1.0%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $222,692 0.3%
PIPE SEAM WELD 5 7.1% 0 0 $2,072,643 3.4%
RUPTURED OR LEAKING SEAL/PUMP PACKING 1 1.4% 0 1 $0 0.0%
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 3 4.2% 0 1 $2,658,931 4.4%
Sub Total 19 27.1% 0 2 $12,000,207 20.0%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
LIGHTNING 1 1.4% 0 0 $381,577 0.6%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $381,577 0.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 5 7.1% 0 2 $1,471,135 2.4%
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE 1 1.4% 0 0 $3,586,155 5.9%
Sub Total 6 8.5% 0 2 $5,057,290 8.4%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS 6 8.5% 0 0 $3,424,869 5.7%
UNKNOWN 3 4.2% 0 0 $5,269,555 8.7%
Sub Total 9 12.8% 0 0 $8,694,424 14.5%
Totals 62 88.5% 1 8 $56,089,775 93.5%
Export Table
National, Gas Transmission Onshore, 2003
National Gas Transmission Offshore: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, INTERNAL 5 7.1% 0 0 $1,222,153 2.0%
Sub Total 5 7.1% 0 0 $1,222,153 2.0%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,648,909 2.7%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $1,648,909 2.7%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT 1 1.4% 0 0 $583,188 0.9%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $583,188 0.9%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 1.4% 0 0 $427,322 0.7%
Sub Total 1 1.4% 0 0 $427,322 0.7%
Totals 8 11.4% 0 0 $3,881,574 6.4%
Export Table
National, Gas Transmission Offshore, 2003
National Gas Gathering: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
CORROSION
CORROSION, INTERNAL 2 66.6% 0 0 $506,114 24.1%
Sub Total 2 66.6% 0 0 $506,114 24.1%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
THREADS STRIPPED, BROKEN PIPE COUPLING 1 33.3% 0 0 $1,586,215 75.8%
Sub Total 1 33.3% 0 0 $1,586,215 75.8%
Totals 3 100.0% 0 0 $2,092,329 100.0%
Export Table
National, Gas Gathering, 2003
National Gas Distribution: Significant Incident Details: 2003
Reported Cause of Incident (C) Number (B) % Fatalities Injuries Property Damage (D) (E) % of Property Damage
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
VARIOUS 52 50.4% 4 37 $11,207,842 47.0%
Sub Total 52 50.4% 4 37 $11,207,842 47.0%
INCORRECT OPERATION
VARIOUS 2 1.9% 0 1 $103,561 0.4%
Sub Total 2 1.9% 0 1 $103,561 0.4%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
VARIOUS 3 2.9% 0 3 $0 0.0%
Sub Total 3 2.9% 0 3 $0 0.0%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
VARIOUS 19 18.4% 0 5 $5,876,547 24.6%
Sub Total 19 18.4% 0 5 $5,876,547 24.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
CAR, TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE NOT RELATED TO... 1 0.9% 0 1 $3,452 0.0%
Sub Total 1 0.9% 0 1 $3,452 0.0%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
VARIOUS 26 25.2% 7 11 $6,643,690 27.8%
Sub Total 26 25.2% 7 11 $6,643,690 27.8%
Totals 103 100.0% 11 58 $23,835,094 100.0%
Export Table
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. 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.
  6. Does not include 1,851 injuries that required medical treatment reported for the October, 1994 accidents that were caused by severe flooding near Houston, Texas.

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.

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