Enbridge responds to incident on East Tennessee Natural Gas system
December 15, 2018
December 27, 2018, 7:30 p.m. CT
As an update to the incident on our East Tennessee Natural Gas (ETNG) pipeline in Pleasant Shade, Smith County, Tennessee, on December 15, the 22-inch diameter pipeline between Dixon Springs and Gainsboro compressor stations was successfully repaired and is now in the process of being returned to service.
Following the repairs and a comprehensive integrity assessment, Enbridge expects to begin safely returning the repaired segment to service within the next 48 hours. Safety remains our top priority, and everything we are doing is driven by our commitment to the community, its safety and the safety of others.
December 21, 2018, 6:30 p.m. CT
Enbridge continues to work diligently to return the impacted section of Its East Tennessee Natural Gas (ETNG) pipeline to service. As part of the construction underway, Enbridge is working to test the new section of pipe and install temporary equipment to help clean the inside of the existing pipeline around the incident location. That temporary equipment will then need to be removed prior to the line retuning to service. In conjunction with the construction work, Enbridge is in close coordination with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration (PHMSA), and they understand the need to return the line to service expeditiously.
We recognize the increased demand for natural gas during the winter heating season, and we are executing on a plan design to restore capacity through the impacted section of ETNG to approximately 300,000 dekatherms per day between December 30, 2018, and January 3, 2019, based on current projections. We continue to coordinate with our customers during this temporary outage and are keeping them informed.
December 18, 2018, 7:00 p.m. CT
Enbridge is working with PHMSA towards a timely in-service of East Tennessee Natural Gas’ (ETNG) 22-inch natural gas pipeline impacted by the incident that occurred in Pleasant Shade, Tennessee, on December 15, 2018.
Safety is a fundamental principle in everything we do and we are ensuring all construction and restoration operations are completed safely. While we continue to refine our return to service plan, and currently do not have an estimated time of restoration, our teams have achieved the following milestones to-date:
- On-site investigation and evidence collection in coordination with PHMSA and a third-party expert
- Transportation of impacted segment to a third-party expert for evaluation
- Ongoing air, water and soil sampling as a standard procedure
- Procurement of necessary resources and materials required for construction
- Mobilization of new pipe joints to the site for replacement
- Staging equipment and ongoing preparation of the site for construction
Enbridge is committed to bringing the affected section of its East Tennessee Natural Gas system back to operation in a safe manner.
We will provide further updates as circumstances warrant.
December 16, 2018, 1:50 p.m. CT
Enbridge continues to respond to the incident near Pleasant Shade, Smith County, Tennessee, on our East Tennessee pipeline. While there were no injuries or a fire that resulted from this, no incident is acceptable and we will work with the authorities to investigate its cause.
Since the beginning, our priorities remain the safety of the community and protecting the environment. Our teams remain in contact with the affected landowners and continue to coordinate with local, state and federal authorities. To that end, Enbridge has mobilized equipment to begin removing a section of the 22-inch diameter natural gas pipeline and begin restoration efforts. We continue to coordinate with customers during this temporary outage.
December 15, 2018, 9:00 p.m. CT
At approximately 2:09 p.m. Central Time today, we experienced a pipeline rupture on our East Tennessee pipeline in Pleasant Shade, Smith County, TN. No injuries have been reported.
We have personnel on site and have spoken with affected landowners and are coordinating with local emergency officials. Our first concern is for the safety of the landowners and community. Enbridge has notified local, state and federal authorities. We are also coordinating with customers during this temporary outage.
We will keep all parties informed. A full investigation will be conducted that will review the cause of this incident.
Please refer any questions to our Media Line: 1.888.992.0997.
December 15, 2018, 4:07 p.m. CT
Enbridge personnel are responding to an incident near Pleasant Shade, Tennessee, on its East Tennessee Natural Gas system.
Our first concern is for the safety of the community and we are coordinating with local authorities in our response.
We have limited information as yet, and will provide updated details as available.
