List of pipeline accidents in the United States in 2015 explained

The following is a list of pipeline accidents in the United States in 2015. It is one of several lists of U.S. pipeline accidents. See also list of natural gas and oil production accidents in the United States.

Incidents

This is not a complete list of all pipeline accidents. For natural gas alone, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a United States Department of Transportation agency, has collected data on more than 3,200 accidents deemed serious or significant since 1987.

A "significant incident" results in any of the following consequences:

PHMSA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) post incident data and results of investigations into accidents involving pipelines that carry a variety of products, including natural gas, oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, carbon dioxide, and other substances. Occasionally pipelines are repurposed to carry different products.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Data sets of PHMSA Pipeline Safety-Flagged Incidents for 1986–2001, 2002–2009, and 2010–2017 can be downloaded from the tab by that name on the PHMSA's Pipeline Incident Flagged Files page at https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/data-and-statistics/pipeline/pipeline-incident-flagged-files, accessed 2018.01.10. PHMSA Corrective Action Orders are at https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/enforce/CAO_opid_0.html . PHMSA Pipeline Failure Investigation Reports are at https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/safety-reports/pipeline-failure-investigation-reports . NTSB Pipeline Accident Reports are at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/pipeline.aspx .
  2. Web site: Pipeline fire shuts down FM 2004 in Texas City. T.J. AULDS and SHANNON. DAUGHTRY. January 14, 2015 . October 5, 2018. June 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180621093045/https://www.galvnews.com/news/free/article_699f91e8-9c22-11e4-97c3-63576ec5ef16.html. live.
  3. Web site: US Evangeline Pipeline shuts down after leak discovered . January 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150702011745/http://www.icis.com/resources/news/2015/01/14/9853014/us-evangeline-pipeline-shuts-down-after-leak-discovered/ . July 2, 2015 .
  4. Web site: News – Argus Media . January 14, 2015 . January 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150516143633/http://www.argusmedia.com/News/Article?id=976846 . May 16, 2015 .
  5. Web site: CPF No.: 4-2014-5027H . 28 November 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170209132956/https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/enforce/documents/420145027H/420145027H_Corrective%20Action%20Order_10202014_text.pdf . February 9, 2017 .
  6. Web site: Gas line explodes, burns near reservoir . January 14, 2015 . WAPT News . January 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150218044130/http://www.wapt.com/news/central-mississippi/gas-line-explodes-burns-at-reservoir/30695664 . February 18, 2015 .
  7. Web site: Reservoir gas pipeline fire extinguished. January 14, 2015. The Clarion-Ledger. January 15, 2015. October 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211017194600/https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/01/14/reservoir-explosion/21740325/. live.
  8. Web site: CPF 2-2015-1001S . 28 November 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211115940/https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/enforce/documents/220151001S/220151001S_nopso_03272015_text.pdf . February 11, 2017 .
  9. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration operator data, http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov., Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  10. News: Sider . Alison . Oil Spill Contaminates Montana Town's Water Supply, EPA Says . Wall Street Journal . January 20, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170206043411/https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-spills-into-yellowstone-river-after-pipeline-leak-1421688172 . February 6, 2017 .
  11. Web site: Clean water likely to be restored to Glendive on Thursday after oil spill along Yellowstone . Tom Lutey . INFORUM . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160128204750/http://www.inforum.com/news/accidents/3661267-clean-water-likely-be-restored-glendive-thursday-after-oil-spill-along . January 28, 2016 .
  12. Web site: PHMSA: Stakeholder Communications – Operator Information . dot.gov . May 23, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160308070842/http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/operator/OperatorIM_opid_31878.html?nocache=4750 . March 8, 2016 .
  13. Web site: PHMSA: Stakeholder Communications – Operator Information . dot.gov . May 23, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160308054320/http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/operator/OperatorIM_opid_31056.html?nocache=5782 . March 8, 2016 .
  14. Web site: Pipeline fire shuts down FM 2004 in Texas City. The Galveston County Daily News. January 14, 2015 . January 18, 2016. October 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211017194555/https://www.galvnews.com/free/article_699f91e8-9c22-11e4-97c3-63576ec5ef16.html. live.
  15. Web site: Archived copy . July 29, 2021 . June 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210610092727/https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/inspections-and-investigations/17866/149469enterpriseproductsoperatingllcfir2015126reportandappendices.pdf . live .
  16. Web site: 24,000 Ethane Barrels Burned . The Intelligencer . September 16, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160406055110/http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/623827/Fire-Burned-24-000-Barrels-of-Ethane.html?nav=515 . April 6, 2016 .
  17. Web site: Report . cms.phmsa.dot.gov . October 5, 2018 . March 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180313092905/https://cms.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/inspections-and-investigations/17866/149469enterpriseproductsoperatingllcfir2015126reportandappendices.pdf . live .
  18. Web site: Pipeline Ruptures Near Pike 43 The People's Tribune. thepeoplestribune.com. 28 November 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150206054424/http://thepeoplestribune.com/?p=25397. February 6, 2015. mdy-all.
  19. Operator Information, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov
  20. Web site: Jet fuel remains in Shively soil months after pipeline spill . Marcus Green . April 8, 2015 . wdrb.com . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203115900/http://www.wdrb.com/story/28752694/jet-fuel-remains-in-shively-soil-months-after-pipeline-spill . February 3, 2016 .
  21. Web site: More than 2,500 tons of soil removed from Shively neighborhood a – WDRB 41 Louisville News . Marcus Green . November 4, 2015 . wdrb.com . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160111223557/http://www.wdrb.com/story/30439304/more-than-2500-tons-of-soil-removed-from-shively-neighborhood-after-pipeline-spill . January 11, 2016 .
  22. Web site: CPF No. 4-2015-5005H . 28 November 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161220144109/http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/enforce/documents/420155005H/420155005H_Corrective%20Action%20Order_03122015_text.pdf . December 20, 2016 .
  23. Web site: Cleanup begins on diesel pipeline spill near Tehuacana Creek. WacoTrib.com. March 13, 2015 . January 18, 2016. September 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180920011442/https://www.wacotrib.com/news/environment/cleanup-begins-on-diesel-pipeline-spill-near-tehuacana-creek/article_20e9cb1d-75ad-5b17-90a5-374c35f6876a.html. live.
  24. Web site: 'Heavy Rains' Cited In Marshall Pipeline Failure . The Intelligencer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150417105218/http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/630275/-Heavy-Rains--Cited-In-Marshall----.html . April 17, 2015 .
  25. Web site: DEP: 132 Barrels Spilled Into Marshall County Creek . The Intelligencer . September 16, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113043/http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/630514/DEP--132-Barrels-Spilled-Into-Marshall-County-Creek.html?nav=515 . March 4, 2016 .
  26. Web site: Archived copy . January 3, 2021 . October 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211017185948/https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/phmsapub/faces/PHMSAHome;PHMSAPUB_SESSIONID=wdKPn9CK6bshqr2K8U4MZQTpIPqAbPEy6n1GaGuVD33z1qfJHQdu!126905991?req=-8193077667246548590&attempt=0&_afrLoop=4365144416377165&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null&_adf.ctrl-state=1bkkk3lavp_1 . live .
  27. Web site: Natural gas pipeline fire near Borger extinguished . April 13, 2015 . 28 November 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160408102808/http://www.newschannel10.com/story/28788786/natural-gas-pipeline-fire-near-borger-extinguished . April 8, 2016 .
  28. PHMSA Corrective Action Orders 4-2003-1008H, 4-2012-1011H and CPF No. 4-2015-1006H, http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/enforce/documents/420151006H/420151006H_Corrective%20Action%20Order_04172015_text.pdf, accessed 1/12/2016.
  29. Web site: Pipeline explosion at Fresno shooting range caused by front loader, state report says . August 21, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150802204616/http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article26618077.html . August 2, 2015 .
  30. Web site: California oil spill: Up to 105,000 gallons lost – CNN.com . Paul Vercammen . Pat St. Claire . May 20, 2015 . CNN . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160129203930/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/20/us/california-oil-spill/ . January 29, 2016 .
  31. Web site: Failure Investigation Report: Plains Pipeline, LP, Line 901 Crude Oil Release, May 19, 2015, Santa Barbara County, California . May 2016 . US Departement of Transportation . June 12, 2019 . September 23, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200923172813/https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/PHMSA_Failure_Investigation_Report_Plains_Pipeline_LP_Line_901_Public_0.pdf . live .
  32. Benjamin Hardy, "Natural gas pipeline ruptures east of I-30 bridge, closing two miles of Arkansas River," Arkansas Times, June 2, 2015, https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/06/02/natural-gas-pipeline-ruptures-east-of-i-30-bridge-closing-two-miles-of-arkansas-river ; and "Arkansas River pipeline blowout occurred on Sunday morning, cause still unknown," Arkansas Times, June 2, 2015, https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/06/03/arkansas-river-pipeline-blowout-occurred-on-sunday-morning-cause-still-unknown, accessed 2018.01.10.
  33. News: Williams natgas pipeline in Pennsylvania ruptures; no injuries . Reuters . June 11, 2015 . August 21, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924220446/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/11/us-natgas-williams-transco-idUSKBN0OR1R720150611 . September 24, 2015 .
  34. Web site: Failure Investigation Report – Williams Partners L.P./Transco 24" Leidy Line B Failure, Unityville, PA 6/9/2015 . 28 November 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170210021346/http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/PipelineFailureReports/150663_Transcontinental_Unityville_PA_June_9_2015.pdf . February 10, 2017 . mdy-all .
  35. Web site: Pipeline rupture released thousands of pounds of gas vapors . victoriaadvocate.com . June 17, 2015 . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203115900/https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2015/jun/17/pipeline-rupture-released-thousands-of-pounds-of-g/ . February 3, 2016 .
  36. Sara Sneath, "Pipeline operator won't be penalized for explosion," Victoria Advocate, December 6, 2015, https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2015/dec/06/pipeline-operator-wont-be-penalized-for-explosion/ A copy of the investigative report is posted on this website.
  37. Web site: Texas 225 eastbound reopens after a truck collision with feeder road pipeline shut it down . . June 22, 2015 . December 8, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151231211851/http://www.chron.com/houston/article/Truck-collision-with-pipeline-backs-up-traffic-on-6342233.php . December 31, 2015 .
  38. Web site: 4 Injured in White Deer Gas Line Explosion . NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth . June 27, 2015 . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203115900/http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/4-Injured-in-White-Deer-Gas-Line-Explosion-310324841.html . February 3, 2016 .
  39. Web site: Highland resident files suit against oil company responsible for spill . bnd . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203115859/http://www.bnd.com/news/local/community/highland-news-leader/article27426022.html . February 3, 2016 .
  40. Web site: 2 workers hurt in explosion when backhoe strikes gas line . Sheldon Ingram . July 29, 2015 . WTAE . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203115859/http://www.wtae.com/news/worker-injured-in-pipeline-accident/34188004 . February 3, 2016 .
  41. Web site: Worker dies in pipeline accident, PUC steps up calls for reform – StateImpact Pennsylvania. February 19, 2016. October 5, 2018. September 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180902073432/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/02/19/worker-dies-in-pipeline-accident-puc-steps-up-calls-for-reform/. live.
  42. Web site: Sheriff's Office: Natural gas pipeline 'explosion' forced 150 Falfurrias families from their homes . Valley Central . August 21, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150814074847/http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1239109 . August 14, 2015 .
  43. Web site: CPF No. 4-2015-1009H . 28 November 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161221002010/http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/enforce/documents/420151009H/420151009H_Corrective%20Action%20Order_08062015.pdf . December 21, 2016 .
  44. Web site: Failure Investigation Report—Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170218052247/http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles//PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/Pipeline/Failure%20Reports/TGP_151027_Falfurrias_TX_2015_08_03_Final_Redacted.pdf . February 18, 2017 . October 5, 2018 . mdy-all .
  45. Web site: Fire on Williams pipeline . www.upstreamonline.com . August 21, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150810054745/http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/1408027/fire-on-williams-pipeline . August 10, 2015 .
  46. Web site: PHMSA: Stakeholder Communications – Operator Information . dot.gov . May 23, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307113746/http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/operator/OperatorIM_opid_2552.html?nocache=7343 . March 7, 2016 .
  47. Web site: All-clear given to Cypress residents evacuated after gas leak . September 6, 2015 . KPRC . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906075718/http://www.click2houston.com/news/fd-hazmat-responding-to-gas-leak-in-northwest-harris-county/34706166 . September 6, 2015 .
  48. Web site: Man injured in Putnam gas pipeline explosion. Tyler. Bell. Charleston Gazette-Mail. August 17, 2015 . January 31, 2020. January 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200131233503/https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/putnam_county/man-injured-in-putnam-gas-pipeline-explosion/article_d6bb218e-6b16-5414-b048-a08f1fb8c5fa.html. live.
  49. Web site: Two Injured in Louisiana Pipeline Fire . The Maritime Executive . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203115900/http://maritime-executive.com/article/two-injured-in-louisiana-pipeline-fire . February 3, 2016 .
  50. Web site: Oil pipeline inspection industry 'going wrong' as surveys fail to prevent spills. August 7, 2018. October 5, 2018. October 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181004053348/http://www.climatechangenews.com/2018/08/07/oil-pipeline-inspection-industry-going-wrong-surveys-fail-prevent-spills/. live.
  51. Web site: Gas leak forces Fairfax Co. business closures . September 24, 2015 . WTOP . January 18, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203115900/http://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2015/09/gas-leak-forces-fairfax-co-business-closures/slide/1/ . February 3, 2016 .
  52. Web site: National Transportation Safety Board Pipeline Accident Brief . ntsb.gov . NTSB . October 5, 2018 . June 28, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170628013726/https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/PAB1701.pdf . live .
  53. Web site: Police: 3 dead, 2 in serious condition after Gibson plant explosion . Clint Durrett . May 15, 2012 . WDSU . May 23, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160526180907/http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/explosion-reported-at-natural-gas-pipeline-in-gibson/35726080 . May 26, 2016 .
  54. Web site: PHMSA: Stakeholder Communications – Operator Information . dot.gov . May 23, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307161646/http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/operator/OperatorIM_opid_19570.html?nocache=8429 . March 7, 2016 .
  55. Web site: CPF 4-2016-1008 . 28 November 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161231184226/http://phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/Pipeline/420161008_NOPV_PCP_PCO_07292016.pdf . December 31, 2016 . mdy-all .
  56. Steven Mayer, J.W. Burch IV, James Burger and John Cox, "One dead and three injured in PG&E natural gas line explosion southwest of Bakersfield," November 13, 2015, http://www.bakersfield.com/news/one-dead-and-three-injured-in-pg-e-natural-gas/article_98f3c442-fef3-541a-a2d6-fc77f6e22b00.html, accessed 2018.01.11.
  57. Web site: PHMSA – Briefing Room . Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety . Administration . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141746/http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/phmsa-failure-investigation-results-in-notice-of-probable-violation-and-proposed-civil-penalty-for-sunoco-pipeline . November 4, 2016 . October 5, 2018 . mdy-all .
  58. Web site: Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty, and Proposed Compliance Order . Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration . Robert . Burrough . November 16, 2018 . March 1, 2019 . March 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190302092321/https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/reports/enforce/documents/120181005/120181005_NOPV%20PCP%20PCO_11162018_text.pdf . live .
  59. Web site: 11,000 gallons of gasoline, butane and propane leak from pipeline in Summit County . November 30, 2015 . DeseretNews.com . May 23, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306212804/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642766/11000-gallons-of-gasoline-butane-and-propane-leak-from-pipeline-in-Summit-County.html?pg=all . March 6, 2016 .
  60. Web site: Archived copy . 2017-05-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170430084914/https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles//PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/Pipeline/Failure%20Reports/Enterprise_Crude_Pipeline_LLC_Cushing_West_Terminal_2015_12_01_Redacted.pdf . April 30, 2017 . mdy-all .
  61. News: Highway 118 commuters beware: Somis oil spill cleanup will take days . December 9, 2015 . . Cindy . Von Quednow . Cheri . Carlson . amp . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151210221037/http://www.vcstar.com/topstories/Oil-spill-reported-in-Somis-360929811.html . December 10, 2015 .