Pipeline companies want us to believe that leaks and explosions are so rare that they are not a cause for concern. A brief survey of recent events proves otherwise. Below is a short selection of gas pipeline fails demonstrating that catastrophes are sufficiently common that they cannot be ignored. Each of the events occurred without warning.
Rover refers to the area surrounding a pipeline that may incur damage if there would be an explosion as the "buffer corridor". Rover indicates in the maps they published in 2014 that there is a "Quarter Mile Buffer" corridor for this 42" pipeline. There are studies indicating that the potential impact radius for a 42" pipeline pressurized at 1400 psi (Rover's size) would be closer to 1,100 feet (nearly a half-mile in diameter). See our FAQs page for more information. The map below was supplied by Rover to the Ann Arbor, Michigan Public Library and is available at this online link.
The image at the top of the page is from the 11/13/15 Bakersfield CA explosion. Read the full article here.
The events listed below is by no means inclusive - see this wikipedia listing to get a better idea of the magnitude of damages.
It is worth the time to read the articles and view the video of the massive crater created by this 30" pipeline, 12" smaller than Rover. One house completely gone, another house with siding melted off from the explosion.
The image at the top of the page is from this disaster. Read the full article here.
Three year pipeline (installed 2012) develops "material failure" in a weld due to too much tension on part of the line.
If this "material failure" happens in the new same-size pipeline being built by by the same company entrapping Silver Lake, Michigan, there is the great potential of catastrophic damage to the lives of every resident and camper within the "buffer corridor".
Read more here San Antonio BizJournal
"Kinder Morgan released a statement saying they shut down the pipeline segment as soon as they were notified and regulatory agencies were alerted" -- HOW KIND OF THEM!
This epic pipeline fail occurred in a rural area, with a pipeline much smaller than Rover.
Watch the news report above, then read Remembering the Sissonville pipeline explosion from one year after the explosion.
The cause of the explosion was found to be corrosion. The Rover pipeline is over four times as large as this pipeline.
Fortunately the community within the blast zone was not entrapped such that the emergency workers could reduce harm.
The 2015 explosion was close to home, and fortunate in consequences. Note that this pipeline is one quarter the size and less than half the pressure of Rover.
See the crater and read the Washtenaw County, MI Emergency Services Incident Report here: