Tennessee Gas Pipeline
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| Tennessee Gas Pipeline | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| General direction | North-east |
| From | Texas–Louisiana Gulf Coast |
| To | New England |
| General information | |
| Type | Natural gas |
| Owner | Kinder Morgan |
| Contractors | TGT |
| Commissioned | 1943 |
| Technical information | |
| Length | 11,900 mi (19,200 km) |
| Diameter | 32 in (813 mm) |
Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGPL) is a set of natural gas pipelines that run from the Texas and Louisiana coast through Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to deliver natural gas in West Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and New England. The 11,900-mile (19,200 km) long system is operated by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan.[1] It is one of the largest pipeline systems in the United States. Its FERC code is 9.[2] TGP's PHMSA pipeline operator i.d. is 19160.[3]
The first pipeline was constructed by Tennessee Gas Transmission Company (TGT) beginning in 1943.[4] In 1996, TGT-owner Tenneco Energy was acquired by El Paso Corporation,[5] which was in turn acquired by Kinder Morgan in 2012.[6]
Expansion projects
In 2014, KM proposed Northeast Energy Direct Project (NED), a new branch of 117 miles (188 km) of greenfield pipeline to move natural gas from Pennsylvania to Wright, New York, and 129 miles (208 km) of greenfield pipeline to Dracut, Massachusetts.[7]
The Kinder Morgan proposal met with immediate resistance from local and state officials, conservation organizations, and more than 20 Massachusetts towns that the proposed pipeline would cross.[8] Public and environmental safety was the primary concern, due to TGP's history of pipeline accidents.[9] The pipeline route was heavily debated amid complaints about eminent domain and widespread refusal of Kinder Morgan's requests to survey the route.[10] The proposed route would cross land that is heavily wooded with sensitive eco-systems, conservation lands, wildlife reserves, state parks, farmland, towns, and the Connecticut River.[11]
KM proposed that "approximately 91% of the NED Market Path Component would be co-located along existing utility corridors/adjacent to TGP mainline. The total project (both Supply and Market Path Components) would be 82% co-located."[12] An alternative would be to follow the Massachusetts Turnpike highway system from western Massachusetts into Boston.
Supporters claimed that the pipeline would have positive impacts. "The pipeline is not only a pipeline for natural gas, but it is a pipeline for new construction and jobs."[13] KM claimed, "NED helps sustain electric grids, reduce emissions, lower energy costs and spur economic growth region-wide."[12] The new pipeline would "bring up to 2.2 billion cubic feet per day (62×106 m3/d) of natural gas from the Marcellus shale fields to New England and Canadian markets."[14] The planned pipeline was roughly 350 miles (560 km) long and would be 36 inches (910 mm) in diameter. The design would include "large, powerful compressor stations."[14]
Detractors pointed out the safety issues involved with locating a high-volume, high-pressure gas transmission pipeline through towns and near neighborhoods that would be within the explosion blast zone of a leak.[15] In the Duckworth–Eiber Report, researchers showed that many gas transmission pipelines are dangerously close to homes and schools.[16]
Ultimately, the NED project was shelved due to a shortage of enough customers to justify an increased natural gas supply in New England.[17]
Significant incidents reported
From 2006 to 2017, according to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) failure reports, TGP had 111 "significant incidents" with their pipelines, resulting in $89,815,380 in property damage and 19 federal enforcement actions.[18]
A "significant incident" results in any of the following consequences:
- fatality or injury requiring in-patient hospitalization
- $50,000 or more in total costs, measured in 1984 dollars
- liquid releases of five or more barrels (55 USgal/barrel)
- releases resulting in an unintentional fire or explosion.[19]
From 2006 to 2017, 27 federal enforcement actions were initiated against TGP, with $422,500 in penalties. Federal inspectors were onsite at TGP locations for 661 days plus 187 days of accident investigations.[20]
From 2006 to 2017, faulty infrastructure caused most of TGP's onshore gas transmission pipeline accidents. Corrosion (internal or external), equipment malfunctions, manufacturing defects, faulty welds, and incorrect installation together accounted for 56% of leaks and more than $90 million in property damage.[21]
Failures may be escalating as pipelines age. In the listings below, note the age of pipes that failed.
