Natural Gas Pipeline Explodes in Houston

Nov 3, 4:39 AM EST

Natural Gas Pipeline Explodes in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) -- A natural gas pipeline in a suburban area exploded early Wednesday, shaking homes and generating a vapor cloud large enough that law officers advised some residents to evacuate and others to stay indoors. No one was injured.

The line in the Cypress-Fairbanks area ruptured shortly after 1:30 a.m. It ignited near an unmanned compression unit, according to broadcast reports.

(slightly more)
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRF_GAS_EXPLOSION?SITE=SCCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

which is to say, basically not maintained at all.

http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/P_Acc.htm

but they don't report them all. A sample:



Texas pipeline blast investigated

New Caney, TX, Sep. 27 (UPI) -- Texas authorities Monday investigated a suspicious pipeline explosion north of Houston...
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040927-095443-9282r.htm


Wouldn't want bad press for the oil bidness, now would we?

Blow em up, reduce supply, jack up price.

This is only the beginning

It has begun. In our own back yard.

That's not exactly a common phenomenon...especially so close together.

think that they adequately maintain them?

not.

Because I was pissed off that * is stealing the election again!

No CAUSE for the explosion was provided. What, was it MAGIC?

It is small consolation to live in a blue state. I fear for those in the red--I think things are going to get scary in the next four years.

Here's an even shittier one, but more up-to-date:
Pipeline Ruptures In Northwestern Harris County
Officials Order Brief Evacuation; No Injuries Reported

POSTED: 7:28 am CST November 3, 2004
UPDATED: 12:02 pm CST November 3, 2004

HOUSTON -- Authorities said a cloud of gas began spewing from a 6-inch gash in a pipeline owned by Trunk Line Gas Co. at about 1:30 a.m. It was unclear what caused the rupture.

Residents who rushed from their homes said the rupture sounded like the roar of an approaching plane.

"A lot of people rushed outside in the subdivisions after hearing explosions, not knowing what they were," said Capt. Mark Herman of the County Precinct 4 constable's office. "But the leak has since been cut off."

Harris County deputy Roxie Simmons said the noise heard by residents was the result of the rupture and not an explosion. He said only the pipeline was damaged.

"When it blows off like that, sometimes it can sound like an explosion," Simmons said.
(more)
http://www.click2houston.com/news/3886314/detail.html

"Explosion? What explosion?"

They did not initially give the standard "the cause is under investigation" or "authorities say they have not yet determined what caused it"--you know, any lame platitude that says someone is on the case. The second article you kindly posted did say "Officials were investigating how the gash occurred in the line, which is about 20 inches in diameter."

The word "gash" bothers me a bit. A gash is not a "crack"...or is it? Gash is NOT the term that comes immediately to my mind when I think about something that is broken due to wear and tear or poor maintenance. Gash is what I think of when someone hacks away at something.

Hmmmmmmm. You just HAVE TO WONDER. Do we now have to read the papers like the poor Russkies used to read PRAVDA? Reading between the lines, left is right, up is down, guessing what the real story is?

Maybe I am being excessively cynical. But maybe not.

Sometimes investigations take longer than some criminal savant glancing over an oddly positioned pencil.

I couldn't care less.

I lived in the Cypress-Fairbanks area northwest of Houston for over 20 years. I couldn't stand it in the 'burbs any more and moved back into Houston. At least my neighbors here are Democrats.

Precinct 4, where the blast occurred, is in Harris County. Not that the City of Houston does a good job at doing inspections, but the county is big-time owned by whatever company doing business in it.

It's just lucky that this hasn't happened before now. Only a matter of time before it happens again.

Wonder what else will explode in Texas...