Pipeline Accident Report - Southern Natural Gas Company Rupture and Fire of a 14-Inch Gas Transmission Pipeline, Southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana, July 15, 1979

摘要

At 0730 c.d.t. on July 15, 1979, a 14-in natural gas transmission pipeline owned by the Southern Natural Gas Company was ruptured by a grappling hook from the PETE TIDE II, an anchor-handling boat working in the Gulf of Mexico, 95 miles southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. A seven-man, anchor-handling crew either was swept or jumped overboard, and the escaping natural gas was ignited by an unknown source aboard the boat. Two men are missing and presumed dead; four men were injured; the boat was damaged by fire; and 2,638 Mcf of natural gas was lost. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the rupture of a 14-in natural gas transmission pipeline by a grappling hook from the PETE TIDE II, an anchor-handling boat. The natural gas from the ruptured pipeline rose to the surface of the water and was ignited by a source on board the PETE TIDE II. Contributing to the accident were the insufficient information given by Shell Oil Company to the contractor concerning the existence and location of the 14-in pipeline and the failure of Shell to mark the pipeline.