Explosion of a Hydrogen Pipeline
During agricultural drainage work carried out by a farmer, an explosion occurred on a hydrogen pipeline located in a field. Flames several meters high were visible and two houses were evacuated. A safety perimeter was set up. The pipeline operator applied procedures to ensure the safety of the local residents and the pipeline.The damaged pipe was listed by the operator. The farmer did not declare the work site and no verification was done before starting the work.[ARIA event 57406]
Event Date
March 21, 2021
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The root value could be attributed to an operation which did not respected the procedure, because the farmer did not declare the work site and no verification was done before starting the work.It is unclear however how good the procedure to be followed in this case has been made clear and how the operator ensures that is followed in the case.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
underground hydrogen pipeline
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Countryside
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
Drainage work were being carried out.
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The source does not report any corrective action or return of experience. Nevertheless, in general it could be concluded that it is necessary to improve the procedures for underground works nearby buried pipelines and to improve the visual identification of the pipeline location.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The pipeline operator intervened by applying a safe perimeter to ensure safety of the residents. Two houses were evacuated.
Release Type
Release Substance
Hydrogen Release Concentration (%)
100.00
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References