Pipeline Safety Stakeholder Communications

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 Flagged Incident File. (1)

More Pipeline Incidents and Mileage Reports are available.

• All Pipeline Systems
• Hazardous Liquid
• Gas Transmission
• Gas Gathering
• Gas Distribution

National All Pipeline Systems: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number (C)	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	32	10.2%	1	14	$50,685,654	16.3%
INTERNAL CORROSION	28	9.0%	0	0	$8,520,083	2.7%
UNSPECIFIED CORROSION	1	0.3%	0	0	$206,511	0.0%
Sub Total	61	19.6%	1	14	$59,412,249	19.2%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR/CONTRACTOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE	7	2.2%	0	1	$1,603,076	0.5%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE	62	19.9%	6	9	$23,122,201	7.4%
Sub Total	69	22.1%	6	10	$24,725,278	7.9%
INCORRECT OPERATION
UNSPECIFIED INCORRECT OPERATION	13	4.1%	2	9	$1,458,048	0.4%
Sub Total	13	4.1%	2	9	$1,458,048	0.4%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CRACKING-RELATED	5	1.6%	0	0	$5,362,441	1.7%
BODY OF PIPE	7	2.2%	0	0	$2,760,136	0.8%
PIPE SEAM	2	0.6%	0	0	$331,688	0.1%
BUTT WELD	2	0.6%	0	0	$127,707	0.0%
FILLET WELD	3	0.9%	0	0	$510,494	0.1%
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	20	6.4%	2	3	$19,129,143	6.1%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT	15	4.8%	0	0	$1,325,391	0.4%
THREADED CONNECTION/COUPLING FAILURE	5	1.6%	0	1	$242,765	0.0%
NON-THREADED CONNECTION FAILURE	8	2.5%	0	0	$1,350,510	0.4%
UNSPECIFIED MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE	3	0.9%	0	0	$1,007,933	0.3%
Sub Total	70	22.5%	2	4	$32,148,213	10.3%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT	10	3.2%	0	2	$70,983,557	22.9%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS	16	5.1%	0	1	$22,880,424	7.4%
LIGHTNING	3	0.9%	0	0	$3,277,110	1.0%
TEMPERATURE	7	2.2%	3	4	$1,104,718	0.3%
HIGH WINDS	6	1.9%	0	0	$47,034,204	15.2%
Sub Total	42	13.5%	3	7	$145,280,015	46.9%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE	1	0.3%	0	0	$1,177,698	0.3%
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	16	5.1%	1	2	$11,427,224	3.6%
PREVIOUS MECHANICAL DAMAGE	2	0.6%	0	0	$3,209,878	1.0%
INTENTIONAL DAMAGE	2	0.6%	0	0	$907,743	0.2%
UNSPECIFIED OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE	4	1.2%	0	0	$2,052,079	0.6%
Sub Total	25	8.0%	1	2	$18,774,623	6.0%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE	25	8.0%	6	8	$5,685,053	1.8%
UNKNOWN CAUSE	6	1.9%	2	2	$21,914,051	7.0%
Sub Total	31	9.9%	8	10	$27,599,105	8.9%
Totals	311	100.0%	23	56	$309,397,534	100.0%

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• All Hazardous Liquid Systems
• Onshore Only
• Offshore Only

National Hazardous Liquid: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	23	17.0%	0	12	$49,079,352	24.9%
INTERNAL CORROSION	11	8.1%	0	0	$2,666,079	1.3%
UNSPECIFIED CORROSION	1	0.7%	0	0	$206,511	0.1%
Sub Total	35	25.9%	0	12	$51,951,943	26.3%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR/CONTRACTOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE	6	4.4%	0	0	$1,529,627	0.7%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE	17	12.5%	5	3	$8,366,540	4.2%
Sub Total	23	17.0%	5	3	$9,896,167	5.0%
INCORRECT OPERATION
UNSPECIFIED INCORRECT OPERATION	4	2.9%	0	0	$135,751	0.0%
Sub Total	4	2.9%	0	0	$135,751	0.0%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CRACKING-RELATED	2	1.4%	0	0	$4,650,300	2.3%
BODY OF PIPE	2	1.4%	0	0	$1,454,307	0.7%
PIPE SEAM	2	1.4%	0	0	$331,688	0.1%
BUTT WELD	1	0.7%	0	0	$27,763	0.0%
FILLET WELD	2	1.4%	0	0	$216,071	0.1%
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	12	8.8%	0	1	$16,803,473	8.5%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT	8	5.9%	0	0	$266,314	0.1%
THREADED CONNECTION/COUPLING FAILURE	4	2.9%	0	0	$242,645	0.1%
NON-THREADED CONNECTION FAILURE	8	5.9%	0	0	$1,350,510	0.6%
Sub Total	41	30.3%	0	1	$25,343,074	12.8%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT	4	2.9%	0	0	$31,083,711	15.7%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS	1	0.7%	0	0	$557,309	0.2%
LIGHTNING	3	2.2%	0	0	$3,277,110	1.6%
TEMPERATURE	2	1.4%	0	0	$479,438	0.2%
HIGH WINDS	6	4.4%	0	0	$47,034,204	23.8%
Sub Total	16	11.8%	0	0	$82,431,774	41.8%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	4	2.9%	0	0	$1,736,128	0.8%
PREVIOUS MECHANICAL DAMAGE	1	0.7%	0	0	$2,588,219	1.3%
INTENTIONAL DAMAGE	1	0.7%	0	0	$774,961	0.3%
Sub Total	6	4.4%	0	0	$5,099,308	2.5%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE	8	5.9%	0	0	$692,820	0.3%
UNKNOWN CAUSE	2	1.4%	0	0	$21,372,834	10.8%
Sub Total	10	7.4%	0	0	$22,065,655	11.2%
Totals	135	100.0%	5	16	$196,923,675	100.0%

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National Hazardous Liquid Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	23	17.0%	0	12	$49,079,352	24.9%
INTERNAL CORROSION	11	8.1%	0	0	$2,666,079	1.3%
UNSPECIFIED CORROSION	1	0.7%	0	0	$206,511	0.1%
Sub Total	35	25.9%	0	12	$51,951,943	26.3%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR/CONTRACTOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE	6	4.4%	0	0	$1,529,627	0.7%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE	17	12.5%	5	3	$8,366,540	4.2%
Sub Total	23	17.0%	5	3	$9,896,167	5.0%
INCORRECT OPERATION
UNSPECIFIED INCORRECT OPERATION	4	2.9%	0	0	$135,751	0.0%
Sub Total	4	2.9%	0	0	$135,751	0.0%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CRACKING-RELATED	2	1.4%	0	0	$4,650,300	2.3%
BODY OF PIPE	2	1.4%	0	0	$1,454,307	0.7%
PIPE SEAM	2	1.4%	0	0	$331,688	0.1%
BUTT WELD	1	0.7%	0	0	$27,763	0.0%
FILLET WELD	2	1.4%	0	0	$216,071	0.1%
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	11	8.1%	0	1	$2,318,188	1.1%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT	8	5.9%	0	0	$266,314	0.1%
THREADED CONNECTION/COUPLING FAILURE	4	2.9%	0	0	$242,645	0.1%
NON-THREADED CONNECTION FAILURE	7	5.1%	0	0	$742,129	0.3%
Sub Total	39	28.8%	0	1	$10,249,408	5.2%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT	3	2.2%	0	0	$2,112,936	1.0%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS	1	0.7%	0	0	$557,309	0.2%
LIGHTNING	3	2.2%	0	0	$3,277,110	1.6%
TEMPERATURE	2	1.4%	0	0	$479,438	0.2%
HIGH WINDS	1	0.7%	0	0	$17,656,815	8.9%
Sub Total	10	7.4%	0	0	$24,083,611	12.2%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	3	2.2%	0	0	$529,022	0.2%
PREVIOUS MECHANICAL DAMAGE	1	0.7%	0	0	$2,588,219	1.3%
INTENTIONAL DAMAGE	1	0.7%	0	0	$774,961	0.3%
Sub Total	5	3.7%	0	0	$3,892,203	1.9%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE	8	5.9%	0	0	$692,820	0.3%
UNKNOWN CAUSE	1	0.7%	0	0	$127,535	0.0%
Sub Total	9	6.6%	0	0	$820,356	0.4%
Totals	125	92.5%	5	16	$101,029,442	51.3%

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National Hazardous Liquid Offshore: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	1	0.7%	0	0	$14,485,284	7.3%
NON-THREADED CONNECTION FAILURE	1	0.7%	0	0	$608,381	0.3%
Sub Total	2	1.4%	0	0	$15,093,666	7.6%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT	1	0.7%	0	0	$28,970,774	14.7%
HIGH WINDS	5	3.7%	0	0	$29,377,388	14.9%
Sub Total	6	4.4%	0	0	$58,348,163	29.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	1	0.7%	0	0	$1,207,105	0.6%
Sub Total	1	0.7%	0	0	$1,207,105	0.6%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
UNKNOWN CAUSE	1	0.7%	0	0	$21,245,299	10.7%
Sub Total	1	0.7%	0	0	$21,245,299	10.7%
Totals	10	7.4%	0	0	$95,894,233	48.7%

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• All Gas Transmission Systems
• Onshore Only
• Offshore Only

National Gas Transmission: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	3	4.8%	0	0	$491,561	1.3%
INTERNAL CORROSION	12	19.3%	0	0	$3,880,285	10.2%
Sub Total	15	24.1%	0	0	$4,371,847	11.5%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR/CONTRACTOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE	1	1.6%	0	1	$73,449	0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE	12	19.3%	0	0	$2,153,752	5.6%
Sub Total	13	20.9%	0	1	$2,227,201	5.8%
INCORRECT OPERATION
UNSPECIFIED INCORRECT OPERATION	1	1.6%	0	0	$98,999	0.2%
Sub Total	1	1.6%	0	0	$98,999	0.2%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CRACKING-RELATED	3	4.8%	0	0	$712,141	1.8%
BODY OF PIPE	4	6.4%	0	0	$685,737	1.8%
BUTT WELD	1	1.6%	0	0	$99,944	0.2%
FILLET WELD	1	1.6%	0	0	$294,422	0.7%
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	1	1.6%	0	0	$238,690	0.6%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT	6	9.6%	0	0	$960,577	2.5%
THREADED CONNECTION/COUPLING FAILURE	1	1.6%	0	1	$120	0.0%
Sub Total	17	27.4%	0	1	$2,991,634	7.8%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS	7	11.2%	0	0	$19,599,478	51.6%
Sub Total	7	11.2%	0	0	$19,599,478	51.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE	1	1.6%	0	0	$1,177,698	3.1%
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	4	6.4%	0	0	$6,143,181	16.1%
Sub Total	5	8.0%	0	0	$7,320,879	19.2%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE	3	4.8%	0	0	$1,227,902	3.2%
UNKNOWN CAUSE	1	1.6%	0	0	$109,797	0.2%
Sub Total	4	6.4%	0	0	$1,337,699	3.5%
Totals	62	100.0%	0	2	$37,947,740	100.0%

Export Table

National Gas Transmission Onshore: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	2	3.2%	0	0	$346,544	0.9%
INTERNAL CORROSION	1	1.6%	0	0	$129,056	0.3%
Sub Total	3	4.8%	0	0	$475,600	1.2%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
OPERATOR/CONTRACTOR EXCAVATION DAMAGE	1	1.6%	0	1	$73,449	0.1%
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE	12	19.3%	0	0	$2,153,752	5.6%
Sub Total	13	20.9%	0	1	$2,227,201	5.8%
INCORRECT OPERATION
UNSPECIFIED INCORRECT OPERATION	1	1.6%	0	0	$98,999	0.2%
Sub Total	1	1.6%	0	0	$98,999	0.2%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CRACKING-RELATED	3	4.8%	0	0	$712,141	1.8%
BODY OF PIPE	4	6.4%	0	0	$685,737	1.8%
BUTT WELD	1	1.6%	0	0	$99,944	0.2%
FILLET WELD	1	1.6%	0	0	$294,422	0.7%
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	1	1.6%	0	0	$238,690	0.6%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT	6	9.6%	0	0	$960,577	2.5%
THREADED CONNECTION/COUPLING FAILURE	1	1.6%	0	1	$120	0.0%
Sub Total	17	27.4%	0	1	$2,991,634	7.8%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS	2	3.2%	0	0	$636,711	1.6%
Sub Total	2	3.2%	0	0	$636,711	1.6%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
FIRE/EXPLOSION AS PRIMARY CAUSE	1	1.6%	0	0	$1,177,698	3.1%
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	2	3.2%	0	0	$292,912	0.7%
Sub Total	3	4.8%	0	0	$1,470,611	3.8%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE	3	4.8%	0	0	$1,227,902	3.2%
UNKNOWN CAUSE	1	1.6%	0	0	$109,797	0.2%
Sub Total	4	6.4%	0	0	$1,337,699	3.5%
Totals	43	69.3%	0	2	$9,238,458	24.3%

Export Table

National Gas Transmission Offshore: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	1	1.6%	0	0	$145,016	0.3%
INTERNAL CORROSION	11	17.7%	0	0	$3,751,229	9.8%
Sub Total	12	19.3%	0	0	$3,896,246	10.2%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS	5	8.0%	0	0	$18,962,767	49.9%
Sub Total	5	8.0%	0	0	$18,962,767	49.9%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	2	3.2%	0	0	$5,850,268	15.4%
Sub Total	2	3.2%	0	0	$5,850,268	15.4%
Totals	19	30.6%	0	0	$28,709,281	75.6%

Export Table

National Gas Gathering: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	1	8.3%	0	0	$105,034	0.2%
INTERNAL CORROSION	5	41.6%	0	0	$1,973,718	5.1%
Sub Total	6	50.0%	0	0	$2,078,753	5.3%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE	1	8.3%	0	0	$120,710	0.3%
Sub Total	1	8.3%	0	0	$120,710	0.3%
INCORRECT OPERATION
UNSPECIFIED INCORRECT OPERATION	1	8.3%	0	1	$24,142	0.0%
Sub Total	1	8.3%	0	1	$24,142	0.0%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	1	8.3%	0	0	$94,766	0.2%
MALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT	1	8.3%	0	0	$98,499	0.2%
Sub Total	2	16.6%	0	0	$193,265	0.5%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT	2	16.6%	0	0	$36,228,059	93.7%
Sub Total	2	16.6%	0	0	$36,228,059	93.7%
Totals	12	100.0%	0	1	$38,644,931	100.0%

Export Table

National Gas Distribution: Significant Incident Details: 2004

Reported Cause of Incident (B)	Number (C)	%	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage (D) (E)	% of Property Damage
CORROSION
EXTERNAL CORROSION	5	4.9%	1	2	$1,009,705	2.8%
Sub Total	5	4.9%	1	2	$1,009,705	2.8%
EXCAVATION DAMAGE
THIRD PARTY EXCAVATION DAMAGE	32	31.3%	1	6	$12,481,198	34.7%
Sub Total	32	31.3%	1	6	$12,481,198	34.7%
INCORRECT OPERATION
UNSPECIFIED INCORRECT OPERATION	7	6.8%	2	8	$1,199,155	3.3%
Sub Total	7	6.8%	2	8	$1,199,155	3.3%
MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE
BODY OF PIPE	1	0.9%	0	0	$620,091	1.7%
JOINT/FITTING/COMPONENT	6	5.8%	2	2	$1,992,213	5.5%
UNSPECIFIED MAT'L/WELD/EQUIP FAILURE	3	2.9%	0	0	$1,007,933	2.8%
Sub Total	10	9.8%	2	2	$3,620,238	10.0%
NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE
EARTH MOVEMENT	4	3.9%	0	2	$3,671,785	10.2%
HEAVY RAINS/FLOODS	8	7.8%	0	1	$2,723,636	7.5%
TEMPERATURE	5	4.9%	3	4	$625,280	1.7%
Sub Total	17	16.6%	3	7	$7,020,702	19.5%
OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
VEHICLE NOT ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION	8	7.8%	1	2	$3,547,915	9.8%
PREVIOUS MECHANICAL DAMAGE	1	0.9%	0	0	$621,659	1.7%
INTENTIONAL DAMAGE	1	0.9%	0	0	$132,781	0.3%
UNSPECIFIED OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE	4	3.9%	0	0	$2,052,079	5.7%
Sub Total	14	13.7%	1	2	$6,354,435	17.7%
ALL OTHER CAUSES
MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE	14	13.7%	6	8	$3,764,330	10.4%
UNKNOWN CAUSE	3	2.9%	2	2	$431,419	1.2%
Sub Total	17	16.6%	8	10	$4,195,749	11.6%
Totals	102	100.0%	18	37	$35,881,186	100.0%

Export Table

Notes

1. Significant Incidents are those incidents reported by pipeline operators when 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. Serious incidents, a subset of Significant Incidents, are incidents which involve a fatality or injury requiring in-patient hospitalization.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The costs for incidents prior to 2012 are presented in 2012 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.

Sources

1. PHMSA Flagged Incidents File - April 30, 2013. Note: Incidents occurring up to 30 days prior the Incident File source date may not appear in these reports due to the 30-day reporting period allowed by PHMSA regulation.

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