An investigative report about the June 7 pipeline explosion in Johnson County was released yesterday by the Texas Railroad Commission. The natural gas pipeline explosion killed one person and injured eight others.

According to the commission, the operator of the large pipeline, Houston-based Enterprise Products Operating LLC, violated many state regulations. Enterprise failed to provide markings to identify buried pipelines before excavation activity, place pipeline markers over each buried main or transmission line, ensure that personnel was qualified and ensure that its employees had adequate knowledge of how to use GPS equipment to locate pipeline facilities. Further, the operator failed to test its employees post-accident for prohibited drugs and require them to submit to alcohol testing.

The explosion occurred at 2:40 p.m. on June 7, after the pipeline was struck by an auger. The auger was being used to drill in order to install high-wire power poles. The driver of the auger truck was killed, and the explosion could be seen for miles.

The blast caused the release of 172 million cubic feet of natural gas, worth about $750,000. Further, the explosion caused about $279,000 in property damage.

According to the commission, fines for Enterprise could be $10,000 per day per violation.

C&H Power Line was installing the electrical poles for Brazos Electric Cooperative. The commission found that C&H also violated a regulation by not ensuring that excavation area was clear of pipelines and not giving a second notice to a notification center prior to excavating. C&H will likely be offered a settlement by the commission, usually a payment of $25,500, for its role in the pipeline explosion.

Source: Star-Telegram "Agency faults pipeline operator in Johnson County explosion" 8/31/10