On October 31, 2016 at 1455 hours a Colonial Pipeline contractor struck a 36” below ground transmission gasoline pipeline while unearthing threaded O-rings (TOR) for rendering the line inert to install a permanent repair necessitated by the previous pipeline rupture on September 9, 2016. The gasoline pipeline exploded and caught fire. At 1656 hours, Colonial Pipeline reported the incident to the National Response Center. One worker was fatally injured and six workers were transported to local hospitals.
The exact amount of the release is unknown; however, Colonial Pipeline has estimated that 4,000 barrels of gasoline were released. Both main pipelines were shut down. The Shelby County Fire Department responded and contained the fire around the spill site. The Alabama Forestry Commission and Shelby County Highway Department constructed an earthen berm to contain the gasoline and cut a fire break. The fire continues to burn at this time. Line 2 (the un-impacted line) was restarted at 2250 hours at a reduced rate.
The incident occurred near a man-made pond located approximately 0.75 miles to the southeast. Discharge from the pond travels another 0.25 miles southeast to the Cahaba River. Also, Shades Creek is located approximately 0.65 miles northwest of the incident and is a tributary of the Cahaba River. Contractors for Colonial Pipeline have established containment boom at 3.5 miles and 7 miles downstream in the Cahaba River and are currently assessing Shades Creek.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Shelby County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Department of Interior (DOI) Region 4, have been notified. EPA, ADEM, Colonial Pipeline, and local emergency responders are on scene and have integrated into the Unified Command.
