Take your meds and sit down before you read this:
Last year there were $18,000 "incidents" where someone digging hit a pipeline. State one call lines get between 1.7 million and 1.8 million calls for line locations each year.
How Common Are Gas Line Accidents In Texas?
State figures show accidents with gas distribution lines reported to the RRC skyrocketing as natural gas production peaked, up from 143 distribution line accidents in 2004 to 305 accidents in 2006.
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Most of the gathering lines (no odor) will come a lot closer to homes than the pad sites themselves. Is there a state law or a setback on unoderized gathering lines?
These "nicks" as Michael Williams calls them are preventable with modern technology. The Texas Rail Road Commission should require this technology when their is a risk of explosions:
http://www.morpheus-studios.com/~trueloca/main.php?from=sub&id=5
OR
http://www.locatorequipment.com/products_pipecabl_locator.html
HOW MANY LIVES MUST BE LOST?
I'm starting to think Texas does not have any state regulatory agencies that have NOT been corrupted by BIG BUSINESS POLITICS. No regulations that may add to the cost to BIG BUSINESS, screw worker and public safety!
If it's 18,000 *documented* hits, then how many unreported hits on pipelines take place each year? Such hits the dent/gouge pipelines/pipeline coatings are time bombs! The only way to find unreported pipeline hits is smart pigging, but I doubt the TRRC requires it.
Some pipeline failures caused by previous excavation damage, that caused delayed failures, from the NTSB:
Pipeline Accident Brief: Anhydrous Ammonia Pipeline Rupture Near Kingman, Kansas, October 27, 2004
Pipeline Accident Report: Pipeline Rupture and Release of Gasoline, Olympic Pipeline Company, Bellingham, Washington, June 10, 1999
Hazardous Liquid Pipe Failure and Leak, Marathon Ashland Pipe Line, LLC Winchester, Kentucky, January 27, 2000
Release of Hazardous Liquid Near Gramercy, Louisiana, May 23, 1996
Mid-America Pipeline System Liquefied Petroleum Gas Pipeline Rupture and Fire, Donnellson, Iowa, August 4, 1978.
AND; That's just the ones the NTSB has looked into. Many more such accidents happen each year from delayed pipeline damage.