Pipeline Failure Causes
- Corrosion
- External Corrosion
- Internal Corrosion
- Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
- Selective Seam Corrosion (SSC)
- Excavation Damage
- Natural Force Damage
- Other Outside Force Damage
- Material/Weld Failure
- Equipment Failure
- Incorrect Operation
What is the difference between an accident and an incident?
As used in pipeline safety regulations, an incident is an event occurring on a natural gas pipeline for which the operator must make a report to the Office of Pipeline Safety. Events of similar magnitude affecting hazardous liquid pipelines are considered accidents. (Reference 49CFR 191.3, 49CFR 195.50).
Learn more about pipelines on PHMSA's Stakeholder Communication Site
