What happened: PLDTRENCHER STRIKES GAS SALES LINE. While digging a pipeline trench, the trencher str

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Shell EPW-RTD HSE Early Learning Bulletin
Fountain No 302287
Location U S Rockies - Construction
Date 01 Aug 2008
What happened PLD-TRENCHER STRIKES GAS SALES
LINE. While digging a pipeline trench, the
trencher struck a 6-inch gas sales line which was
operating at 500 psi. Wyoming One Call had been
notified and the pipeline operator marked the
line a few days prior to the excavation. The
pipeline was located approximately 6ft to 8ft out
of its marked path. When the trencher made
contact with the line, the operator immediately
stopped the job when he felt trencher blade start
to vibrate. The area was immediately cleared,
the pipeline operator notified and validation
made that the pipeline was not compromised.

• Preliminary Learning Points
• Established Trenching and Excavation procedures
  should be reviewed and confirmed prior to
  commencing similar operations. Compliance to
  established procedures by all involved parties is
  currently under investigation.
• Effective communication and task coordination
  between pipeline operator, construction crews and
  pipeline survey crews is critical to maintain
  barriers.
• Competency of trenching equipment operator
  facilitated a Stop the Job when vibration was
  detected, which avoided pipeline damage and
  subsequent gas release.

This Learning Bulletin provides preliminary
learnings. A detailed investigation is pending.
For internal use only.