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In this lesson,

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we're going to talk about pipeline incidents and their underlying causes.

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Keep in mind that there are over 305,000 miles of natural gas transmission pipelines and

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another 2.1 million miles of

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natural gas distribution lines that are operated by natural gas utilities.

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First, let's take a look at the natural gas transmission pipeline data.

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Even though we've got thousands of miles of

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natural gas transmission pipelines that have been operating over 50 years,

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the number of incidences annually has ranged between 90 and 140 in the last five years.

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One to six people died because of a natural gas pipeline incident between 2014 and 2016,

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and the highest number occurred in the year 2000 with 15 people dying.

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Now, let's turn our attention to

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natural gas distribution lines operated by natural gas utility companies.

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The data from natural gas distribution lines is only

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listed by the number of fatalities for that year.

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We can see that the highest number of fatalities occurred in 2014 with 17 deaths.

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The number of fatalities has declined to nine between 2015 through 2017.

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Injuries caused by natural gas distribution lines

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between 2014 and 2017 declined from

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73 in 2014 to about 13 in 2017.

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What caused this pipeline explosion leaks and spills?

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Certainly, the failure of the pipe weld or equipment is a factor as is corrosion,

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excavation damage, an incorrect operation and maintenance practices.

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Also, floods and hurricanes can erode

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streams and damage natural gas pipelines and distribution lines.

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Pfizer is certainly aware of the causes and are working with states and

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individual companies to correct and reduce

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incidents as well as injuries to life and property.

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This map will give you an idea of the overall incidences, injuries,

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and deaths caused by natural gas and liquid pipelines between 1999 and 2014.

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Overall, there were over 3,141 incidents,

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369 injuries and 78 deaths during this period.

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As you might expect,

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the number of incidents is higher in the U.S. Gulf Coast area.

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It also appears that liquid pipelines that carry

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crude oil and refined petroleum products like gasoline,

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diesel, and jet fuel are more numerous on

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the map than the light colored natural gas circles.