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STATE OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE THREE EMPIRE STATE PLAZA, ALBANY, NY 12223-1350

www.dps.ny.gov

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AUDREY ZIBELMAN Chair PATRICIA L. ACAMPORA GARRY A. BROWN GREGG C. SAYRE DIANE X. BURMAN Commissioners PETER McGOWAN General Counsel KATHLEEN H. BURGESS Secretary

November 7, 2013 Via Electronic Mail Cheryl I. Sacco, Esq. Coughlin & Gerhart LLP PO Box 2039. Binghamton, New York 13902 RE: Request for a copy of the PSC report regarding the July 23, 2012 Lightning Strike at the Compressor Station located in the Town of Windsor.

Dear Ms. Sacco: This is our final response to your request received October 4, 2013 asking for the record(s) described above. Enclosed you will find the requested records consisting of a 23-page PDF report. I hereby certify, pursuant to Public Officers Law 89(3) that, insofar as you reasonably described the records, no other records responsive to your request could be found after diligent search of records maintained by the Department. We trust this material is responsive to your request. To the extent this response denies you access to any records, you may seek a review of this decision pursuant to POL 89(4)(a) by filing a written appeal within 30 days of the date of this letter with Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary to the Commission, at the above address. Sincerely,

Donna Giliberto Assistant Counsel Records Access Officer

NYS Dept. Of Public Service Office of Electric, Gas & Water Division Safety Section Incident Investigation Report
Williams Midstream Pipeline Pipeline System: Williams Midstream Compressor Station: Location: Patterson Road, Town of Windsor, NY Material Released: Report Date (Final): Natural gas August 15, 2012 / 9:30AM Staff Arrival Time & Date: Operator: Williams Midstream July 23, 2012

Date of Incident: Quantity:

510,000 cubic feet 0.00 12-01771

Total Damages $ Matter Number

Company Reported Apparent Cause: Corrosion X Natural Forces

Company Reported Sub-Cause (from either telephonic notice or 30-day report(1)):


(There was no company report to National Response Center as the event did not meet the minimum criteria requiring it.) Lightning struck the main vent stack at the compressor station building, igniting the gas that was venting from the same stack while routine compressor maintenance was being performed. Emergency responders were called by a citizen, not the operator.

Excavation Damage Other Outside Force Damage Material Failure Equipment Failure Incorrect Operation Other Accident/Incident Resulted in (check all that apply): Rupture Leak X Fire Comments:

Fire occurred when gas discharging from the main vent stack of the compressor station during routine compressor maintenance was ignited by lightening. The flame was confined to the vent plume from the stack. No injuries to people (on or off site) or damage to facilities occurred. Number of Persons: Approx. 20 Area: Approx. 0.5 mile radius

Explosion X Evacuation

1 Or from PHMSA Form 7000-1/7100.2 if appropriate.

Incident Investigation Report


Narrative Summary
Short summary of the Incident/Accident scenario

The Williams compressor station building, a large singular building housing four reciprocal compressors (with capacity to hold several more units) is remotely located on the top of a hill, off of Patterson Road in the Town of Windsor, NY. At the time of the incident on 7/23/2012, three of the compressors were in service and a fourth had been shut down while undergoing manufacturers (Caterpillar) recommended periodic maintenance (spark plugs, valve calibrations, etc.). As part of the restart procedure, the natural gas that was still within the fourth compressor had to be purged prior to the restarting. At the time this purge was taking place, a violent lightning storm was occurring in the region. Lightning struck on (or near) the stations main vent stack during the purging of the unit and ignited the venting gas. Williams personnel saw a large orange glow from the flame, realizing there was a fire but unaware of its precise nature. They immediately engaged the emergency shutdown system (ESD) to deprive the fire of further fuel, thereby venting all of the stations gas into the stack, increasing the flame height. All of the fire was confined to the venting gas plume. No damage occurred to any structures or to the environment, and there were no injuries. The ignited gas plume resulted in notice from local citizens, who called 911. As a precaution, the responding emergency authorities evacuated approximately 20 citizens along Patterson Road and Dunbar Road. The evacuation lasted approximately one hour. Williams personnel fully informed the responding authorities of what had occurred, walked them through the compressor site and arranged for further gas emergency training with them. Staff s investigation concluded that vent stack and the ESD functioned as designed and the operator responded in a prudent manner, in accordance with their Emergency Plan.
Lead Investigator Contributing Staff Contributing Staff Local Supervisor Regional Supervisor Section Chief Reviewed By Counsel Name Kristan Harsh Steven Blaney Brett Mahan Kevin Speicher Steven Kramer Title Utility Specialist-Safety I Utility Engineer III (Safety) Utility Engineer II (Safety) Chief, Safety Section Assistant Counsel Signature Approved in DMM3 Approved in DMM3 Approved in DMM3 Approved in DMM3 Reviewed in DMM Date 9/20/2012 10/3/2013 5/17/2013 5/31/2013 10/2/2013

Failure Location & Response


Location (City, Township, Range, County/Parish): Town of Windsor, NY / Operators Google Earth overhead view files of Williamss facilities were acquired. Address or M.P. on Pipeline: 106 Patterson Road, Windsor Coordinates of failure location: Date: 7/23/2012 Latitude: 42.117016
(2)

(Acquire Map)

Type of Area (Rural, City): Rural. Longitude: -75.71627 The event occurred at 17:30 hrs

(1)

Time of Failure:

Time Detected: 17:30 (5:30 PM) Time Located: 17:30 (5:30 PM) Five (5) operator personnel (2 Williams personnel, 3 contractor personnel) witnessed the event at the How Located: compressor station. They were inside the building performing maintenance on one of the compressors. NRC Report #: (Attach Report) Time Reported to NRC: Reported by:

N/A

N/A

N/A

2 Photo documentation Page 2 of 23


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Failure Location & Response
Type of Pipeline: Gas Distribution __ Municipal __ Public Utility X Gas Transmission Interstate Gas _ Intrastate Gas Hazardous Liquid __ Interstate Liquid __ Intrastate Liquid ___ LNG

__ Gas Gathering Pipeline Configuration (Regulator Station, Pump Station, Pipeline, etc.): Large compressor station complex, with multiple sizes of incoming and outgoing, buried and above ground, steel piping and appurtenances.

Operator/Owner Information
Owner: Williams Midstream Address: 51 Warren Street, Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Operator: Williams Midstream Address: (same)

Company Official: Dave Thompson (Regional Operations Supervisor) Phone No.: 570-965-9001 Fax No.: 570-965-3119 Drug Program Contact & Phone: Alcohol Program Contact & Phone:

Company Official: (same) Phone No. 570-965-9001 Fax No. 570-965-3119 X N/A

Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Contacts

Damages
Product/Gas Loss or Spill Amount Recovered Estimated Amount $
(3)

510,000 cubic feet 0 $2000

Estimated Property Damage $ Associated Damages


(4)

0.00

$0.00

Description of Property Damage: There were no damages to any property.

Customers out of Service: Suppliers out of Service:

__ Yes __ Yes

__ No __ No

Number: Number:

NOT APPLICABLE. NOT APPLICABLE.

Fatalities and Injuries


Fatalities: Injuries - Hospitalization: Injuries - Non-Hospitalization: __ Yes __ Yes __ Yes __ No __ No __ No Company: Company: Company: Company: Contractor: Contractor: Contractor: Contractor:

_X N/A
Public: Public: Public: Public:

Total Injuries (including Non-Hospitalization):

3 Initial volume lost or spilled 4 Including cleanup cost Page 3 of 23


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Fatalities and Injuries
Name Job Function Yrs. w/ Comp. Yrs. Exp. Type of Injury

_X N/A

Drug/Alcohol Testing

_X__ N/A

Were all employees that could have contributed to the incident, post-accident tested within the 2 hour time frame for alcohol or the 32 hour time frame for all other drugs? ___Yes ___No Job Function Test Date & Time Location Results Pos Neg Type of Drug

System Description
Describe the Operator's System: The interstate pipeline, originates in the Forest Lake Township in Northern Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles south of the New York/Pennsylvania border. It crosses into New York and continues to the Dunbar Compressor Station and continues to a tap on the Millennium Pipeline. The pipeline was originally known as the Laser Pipeline and was built in 2011 by the original owner, Laser Northeast Gathering, LLC. The pipeline transports natural gas onto the Millennium Pipeline from production wells located in Pennsylvania. Williams Midstream became its new owner in early 2012. The former Laser Pipeline (now-called WMW Pipeline, also referred to at Williams as The New York Mainline) includes approximately 9.8 miles of 16-inch, 0.312inch and .0375-inch wall X-65 welded steel pipe with fusion bond epoxy coating in New York. In addition, the New York assets include the Dunbar Compressor Station (also constructed in 2011) located approximately 0.6 mile off of Patterson Road in the Town of Windsor, approximately 0.5 miles from the WMW Pipelines connection to the Millennium Pipeline. As of August 2012, the compressor building houses 4 reciprocal compressors.

Pipe Failure Description


Length of Failure (inches, feet, miles): (No failure.)
(1)

__X_ N/A
(1) (1)

Position (Top, Bottom, include position on pipe, 6 O'clock):

Description of Failure (Corrosion Gouge, Seam Split):

Laboratory Analysis:

___ Yes

___ No Page 4 of 23

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Pipe Failure Description
Performed by: Preservation of Failed Section or Component: If Yes - Method: In Custody of: Develop a sketch of the area including distances from roads, houses, stress inducing factors, pipe configurations, direction of flow, etc. Bar Hole Test Survey Plot, if included, should be outlined with concentrations at test points. ___Yes ___No

__X_ N/A

Component Failure Description


Component Failed: Manufacturer: Pressure Rating: Other (Breakout Tank, Underground Storage):
(No component failure.)

_X_ N/A
(1)

Model: Size:

Pipe Data
Material: Diameter (O.D.): SMYS: Longitudinal Seam: Pipe Specifications (API 5L, ASTM A53, etc.): Wall Thickness/SDR: Installation Date: Manufacturer: Type of Coating:

_X__ N/A

Joining
Type: NDT Method: Procedure: Inspected: ___ Yes ___No

_X__N/A

Pressure @ Time of Failure @ Failure Site


Pressure @ Failure Site: Location/M.P./Station # (Note: There was no failure, no damage, no injury.) Elevation @ Failure Site: Pressure Readings @ Various Locations: Pressure (psig) Elevation (ft msl)

_X_ N/A
Direction from Failure Site Upstream Downstream

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Upstream Pump Station Data
Type of Product: Specific Gravity: Pressure @ Time of Failure High Pressure Set Point:
(5)

N/A

API Gravity: Flow Rate: Distance to Failure Site: Low Pressure Set Point:

Upstream Compressor Station Data


Specific Gravity: Pressure @ Time of Failure High Pressure Set Point:
(55)

_X__ N/A

Flow Rate: Distance to Failure Site: 0 feet Low Pressure Set Point:

Fo N

Operating Pressure
Max. Allowable Operating Pressure: Actual Operating Pressure: Comment: (The event was not pressure related.) Relief Valve Set Point: Capacity Adequate? ___ Yes ___ No Determination of MAOP:

_X__ N/A

Integrity Test After Failure


Pressure test conducted in place? (Conducted on Failed Components or Associated Piping): If No, tested after removal? Method: Describe any failures during the test. ___ Yes ___ No ___ Yes

_X__ N/A
___ No

Soil/water Conditions @ Failure Site


Condition of and Type of Soil around Failure Site (Color, Wet, Dry, Frost Depth):

X N/A

Type of Backfill (Size and Description): Type of Water (Salt, Brackish): Water Analysis
(6)

___ Yes

___ No

Cathodic Protection
P/S (Surface): Soil Resistivity: Method of Protection: Did the Operator have knowledge of Corrosion before the Incident? ___ Yes ___ No How Discovered? (Close Interval Survey, Instrumented Pig, Annual Survey, Rectifier Readings, ECDA, etc): pH: P/S (Interface): Date of Installation:

X N/A

5 Obtain event logs and pressure recording charts 6 Attach copy of water analysis report Page 6 of 23
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External Pipe or Component Examination
External Corrosion? ___Yes X No
(1)

___ N/A
N/A
(1)

Coating Condition (Disbonded, Non-existent):

Description of Corrosion: The operator reported that there were no corrosion concerns found during post-event inspection of the facilities. Description of Failure Surface (Gouges, Arc Burns, Wrinkle Bends, Cracks, Stress Cracks, Chevrons, Fracture Mode, Point of Origin): There was no asset failure involved in this incident. The event was caused by natural forces (lightning) that resulted in the station ESD being initiated by attending operator personnel and the ESD functioning as designed. Post-incident inspection of the vent stack by the operator found no damage or corrosion.

Above Ground:

X Yes

___ No N/A

(1) (1)

Buried:

___ Yes

X No N/A

(1) (1)

Stress Inducing Factors:

Depth of Cover:

Internal Pipe or Component Examination


Internal Corrosion: ___ Yes Type of Inhibitors: Results (Coupon Test, Corrosion Resistance Probe): Description of Failure Surface (MIC, Pitting, Wall Thinning, Chevrons, Fracture Mode, Point of Origin): ___No
(1)

_X__ N/A
___ No ___ No

Injected Inhibitors: ___ Yes Testing: ___ Yes

Cleaning Pig Program: ___ Yes

___ No
(7)

Gas and/or Liquid Analysis: ___ Yes

___ No

Results of Gas and/or Liquid Analysis

Internal Inspection Survey: ___ Yes

___ No

Results (8) ___ No

Did the Operator have knowledge of Corrosion before the Incident? ___ Yes How Discovered? (Instrumented Pig, Coupon Testing, ICDA, etc.):

Natural Forces

__ N/A

Description (Earthquake, Tornado, Flooding, Erosion): Weather Event: A lightning strike during a storm occurred on, or very near, the main vent stack at the Dunbar Compressor Station while natural gas was being purged through the vent stack from Unit 2 Compressor during routine maintenance on July 23, 2012. The personnel, seeing a distinctive orange glow (associated with fire), engaged the station ESD, resulting in more gas from the station piping and other compressors being exhausted through the same stack and adding to the flame.

7 Attach copy of gas and/or liquid analysis report 8 Attach copy of internal inspection survey report Page 7 of 23
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Outside Force Damage
Excavator: Address: Work Being Performed: Equipment Involved:
(1)

X N/A

Telephone No.:

Called One Call System? ___ Yes One Call Report # (9) Time: Time:

___ No

One Call Name: Notice Date: Response Date: Details of Response: Was Location Marked According to Procedures? Pipeline Marking Type: ___ Yes

___ No
(1)

Location:

(1)

State Law Damage Prevention Program Followed? ___ Yes Notice Required: ___Yes ___No

___ No

(If Yes, attach copy of 753 Citation(s)) ___ No ___ No

Response Required: ___ Yes Was Operator on Site? ___ Yes

Was Operator Member of State One Call? ___ Yes ___ No

Did a deficiency in the Public Awareness Program contribute to the accident? ___Yes ___ No

Failure Isolation
Squeeze Off/Stopple Location and Method: (There was no failure or damage.)

_X_ N/A
(1)

Valve Closed - Upstream: Time: Valve Closed - Downstream: Time: Pipeline Shutdown Method: __ Manual

I.D.: M.P.: I.D.: M.P.: __ Automatic __ SCADA __ Controller __ ESD

Failed Section Bypassed or Isolated: Performed By:

(No failure occurred in this event.) Valve Spacing:

Odorization
Method of Determination: Was Odorizer Working Prior to the Incident? __ Yes __ No Concentration of Odorant
(10)

X
:

N/A

% LEL: __ % Gas In Air: __ Time Taken: Type of Odorizer (Wick, By-Pass):

9 Attach copy of one-call report 10 Post Incident at Failure Site Page 8 of 23


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Odorization
Odorant Manufacturer: Model: Amount Injected: Monitoring Interval (Weekly): Odorization History (Leaks Complaints, Low Odorant Levels, Monitoring Locations, Distances from Failure Site): Type of Odorant:

N/A

Weather Conditions
Temperature: Approximately 73 degrees F. Climate (Snow, Rain): Rain Was Incident preceded by a rapid weather change? X Yes

__ N/A

Wind (Direction & Speed): Approximately 10 MPH, southeasterly. Humidity: Dew point was approximately 66 degrees F. __ No

Weather Conditions Prior to Incident (Cloud Cover, Ceiling Heights, Snow, Rain, Fog): Overcast conditions with rain with accompanying lightning and varying wind speeds, including gusts.

Gas Migration Survey


Bar Hole Test of Area: __ Yes __ No Equipment Used:
(11)

_X_ N/A
(1)

Method of Survey (Foundations, Curbs, Manholes, Driveways, Mains, Services)

Environment Sensitivity Impact

_X_ N/A
(1)

Location (Nearest Rivers, Body of Water, Marshlands, Wildlife Refuge, City Water Supplies that could be or were affected by the medium loss): OPA Contingency Plan Available? __ Yes __ No Followed? __ Yes __ No

Class Location/High Consequence Area


Class Location: 1 X 2__ 3 __ 4 __ Determination: Via initial study for pipeline during 2011 pipeline installation. HCA Area? __ Yes Determination: X No __ N/A

__ N/A

Maps & Records


Are Maps and Records Current?
(12)

___ N/A

X Yes

__ No

Comments: pdf file-type Google Earth based views of Dunbar Compressor Station site acquired from the operator, with relative pipeline location drawn.

11 Plot on site description page 12 Obtain copies of maps and records Page 9 of 23
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Pressure Test History
(Expand List as Necessary)

_X_ N/A
Pressure (psig) Duration (hrs) % SMYS

Reqd (13)Assessment Deadline Date Installation Next Next Most Recent N/A

Test Date

Test Medium

Describe any problems experienced during the pressure tests.

Internal Line Inspection/Other Assessment History


(Expand List as Necessary)

X N/A
Indicated Anomaly If yes, describe below __ Yes __ Yes __ Yes __ Yes __ No __ No __ No __ No

Reqd (13) Assessment Deadline Date Initial Next Next Most Recent

Assessment Date

Type of ILI Tool (14)

Other Assessment Method (15)

Describe any previously indicated anomalies at the failed pipe, and any subsequent pipe inspections (anomaly digs) and remedial actions.

Pre-Failure Conditions and Actions


Was there a known pre-failure condition requiring the operator to schedule evaluation and remediation? __ Yes (describe below or on attachment) __ No
(13)

_X_ N/A

If there was such a known pre-failure condition, had the operator established and adhered to a required (13) evaluation and remediation schedule? Describe below or on attachment. __ Yes __ No __ N/A Prior to the failure, had the operator performed the required (13) actions to address the threats that are now known to be related to the cause of this failure? __ Yes __ No __ N/A List below or on an attachment such operator-identified threats, and operator actions taken prior to the accident. Describe any previously indicated anomalies at the failed pipe, and any subsequent pipe inspections (anomaly digs) and remedial actions.

Leak Survey History


Leak Survey History (Trend Analysis, Leak Plots):

__X_ N/A

13 As required of Pipeline Integrity Management regulations in 16 NYCRR Part 255 and 49CFR Parts 192 and 195 14 MFL, TFI, UT, Combination, Geometry, etc. 15 ECDA, ICDA, SCCDA, other technology, etc. Page 10 of 23
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Pipeline Operation History
Description (Repair or Leak Reports, Exposed Pipe Reports):

_X__ N/A

Did a Safety Related Condition Exist Prior to Failure? Unaccounted For Gas:

___ Yes

___ No

Reported?

___ Yes

___ No

Over & Short/Line Balance (24 hr., Weekly, Monthly/Trend):

Operator/Contractor Error
Name: Title: Training (Type of Training, Background): Was the person Operator Qualified as applicable to a precursor abnormal operating condition? ___Yes Was qualified individual suspended from performing covered task ___ Yes Type of Error (Inadvertent Operation of a Valve): Procedures that are required: Actions that were taken: Pre-Job Meeting (Construction, Maintenance, Blow Down, Purging, Isolation): Prevention of Accidental Ignition (Tag & Lock Out, Hot Weld Permit): Procedures conducted for Accidental Ignition: Was a Company Inspector on the Job? ___ Yes ___ No ___ No ___ No ___ N/A ___ No Job Function: Years of Experience:

_X__ N/A

___ N/A

Was an Inspection conducted on this portion of the job? ___ Yes

Additional Actions (Contributing factors may include number of hours at work prior to failure or time of day work being conducted): Training Procedures: Operation Procedures: Controller Activities: Years Experience Hours on Duty Prior to Failure

Name

Title

Shift

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Operator/Contractor Error
Alarm Parameters: High/Low Pressure Shutdown: Flow Rate: Procedures for Clearing Alarms:

_X__ N/A

Type of Alarm: Company Response Procedures for Abnormal Operations: Over/Short Line Balance Procedures: Frequency of Over/Short Line Balance: Additional Actions:

Additional Actions Taken by the Operator

___N/A

Make notes regarding the emergency and Failure Investigation Procedures (Pressure reduction, Reinforced Squeeze Off, Clean Up, Use of Evacuators, Line Purging, closing Additional Valves, Double Block and Bleed, Continue Operating downstream Pumps): 1) The operators Safety Officer Kate Kamp did an internal post-event debriefing of involved individuals, and later, a review of safety policy with its local personnel regarding purging procedures at the compressor station: If lightning appears to be possible in the visual inspection of weather at the time of planned purging, purging will be postponed. An example of this stand-down policy being implemented occurred since the original event and was exercised on the night of 8/14/2012 during other type of routine maintenance. The purging was postponed to the morning of 8/15/2012 due to possible electrical storm activity forecasted on 8/14. 2) Williams conducted a training session for local first responders to increase their knowledge of the Williams system. The session was held on October 1, 2012 and included a tour of the facility, a review of the July 23, 2012 incident and an afteraction review with first responders and Williams personnel. The agencies that attended were: West Windsor Fire Department, Windsor Fire Department, Coleville Fire Department, Broome County Hazmat, Broome County Fire Investigation, Broome County Emergency Management Agency

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Photo Documentation (1)
Overall Area from best possible view. Pictures from the four points of the compass. Failed Component, Operator Action, Damages in Area, Address Markings, etc. Photo No. 1 Description Google Earth representation showing satellite overhead geographic location reference photo of compressor station (under construction in 2011). Facing N/NE: Compressor station interior. (Unit #2 is the compressor at about the center of the photo.) Facing W: Rear of Dunbar Compressor Station showing the exhaust piping configurations. Photo No. 31 Description

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Camera Type:

Digital. Page 13 of 23

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Approx. 1.35 Miles Patterson Rd Approx. 0.8 Miles Millennium Pipeline Williams Pipeline

Dunbar Station

Blacksmith Rd Dunbar Rd Thompson Rd

DUNBAR COMPRESSOR STATION (common compass view)

Photo #1: Overhead view: Basic location reference. This photo was taken during the 2011 construction phase of the compressor station.

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Photo #2 (0764): Facing N/NE; interior of compressor station. Unit #2 Compressor is second unit from the extreme right (at approximately the center of the photo, between the first two sets of traversing ceiling light banks from the right).

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Photo #3 (0774): Facing W: Rear of compressor station showing the main ESD vent/silencer stack (the singular fat stack) through which all venting gas is exhausted. Unit #2 Compressor is (represented by) the second fan from the left.

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Additional Information Sources
Agency Police: Fire Dept.: State Agency: Broome County Emergency Management Agency Name (Contacted through EMA) Jerry Launt Tom Elter Fire Chief, West Windsor Fire Company Environmental Engineer, NYS-DEC Director, Broome County EMA 607 343-2176 315 426-7470 Title Phone Number

Brett Chellis

607 778-1208

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Persons Interviewed
Name: Curtis Stevens (no longer employed by Williams) Interviewed by: Kris Harsh Date Interview: 7/23/2012 Name: Dave Thompson Interviewed by: Kris Harsh Date Interview: 8/15/2012 Name: Anthony Decesaris Interviewed by: Kris Harsh Date Interview: 8/15/2012 Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Name: Interviewed by: Date Interview: Page 18 of 23
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Title: (then-) operations supervisor

Phone Number: 903 754-7661

Others present: N/A (interview was by phone)

Title: Supervisor of North Region Operations Others present: Anthony Decesaris

Phone Number: 570 468-7042

Title: EHS Specialist- Regulatory Compliance

Phone Number: 570 205-9310

Others present: Dave Thompson (Williams region operations supervisor)

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Title: Others present :

Phone Number:

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Title: Others present:

Phone Number:

Incident Investigation Report


Event Log
Sequence of events prior, during, and after the incident by time. (Consider the events of all parties involved in the incident, Fire Department and Police reports, Operator Logs and other government agencies.) Time / Date 7/23/2012: 5:00 PM 5 individuals (Williams Midstream: Mike Considine, Dominic Ruggiero) and (S2W Contractor: Dan Will, Mike Melton, Mike Fitzsimmons) were working at the Williams Dunbar Compressor Station to bring Unit 2 compressor back on-line after performing routine recommended maintenance on the unit. Lightning strikes near the exterior main vent stack of the compressor building, lighting off the residual gas purging through it from Unit 2 compressor. All 5 personnel saw the flame at the stack after seeing a distinctive orange glow through the window from their work location inside. Mike Considine, the Williams crew leader, engaged the ESD to shut in the facility. The resulting purge of the remainder of the station gas increased the venting fire plume to approximately 450 feet. Emergency responders were called by residents in the area, concerned by the sound and the resulting fire plume they saw. Fire department and State Police arrived on-scene and evacuation of nearby residents commences as a precaution. (Williams estimates that the residents were away from their homes for approximately 20 minutes. Venting stack flame diminishes to only minor residual flame. The 5 compressor station workers check in/reported to the emergency medical technician station for routine evaluation. (No notable abnormal conditions of the personnel were reported by the operator to DPS staff). Flame at main vent stack extinguishes. Williams Midstream notifies NYS-DEC of the event. Event

5:30 PM 5:31 PM

5:47 PM 5:54 PM 5:55 PM 6:00 PM

7:00 PM (approx) Residents allowed to return to their homes. 7:00 PM 7:03 PM

8:45 PM (approx) NYS-DPS Syracuse Region supervisor Brett Mahan was notified by his supervisor of the compressor station event. 9:00 PM 9:07 PM 9:20 PM Brett Mahan notified NYS-DPS Binghamton area NYS-DPS inspector Kris Harsh of the event and requested Harsh to verify the event particulars by contacting appropriate Williams supervision. Kris Harsh called Curtis Stevens, who (at that time) was the operators lead contact person Harsh knew of. Stevens, who was on scene, relayed the unfolding of events (accurate to what is presented in this timeline). Kris Harsh reported the results of the Stevens interview to Brett Mahan.

8/15/2012: 9:30 AM Kris Harsh went to the Williams field office at 86 Patterson Road, Town of Windsor, which is about 0.60 mile from the Williams Dunbar Compressor Station. An interview with Williams personnel Tony Decesaris and Dave Thompson, took place regarding the incident. The contents of this incident report form was the meeting agenda. The visit also included a look at the compressor station and its associated property.

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Event Log
Sequence of events prior, during, and after the incident by time. (Consider the events of all parties involved in the incident, Fire Department and Police reports, Operator Logs and other government agencies.)

Investigation Contact Log


Time 9:00 PM Date 7/23/2012 Brett Mahan Name Description NYS-DPS Supervisor informed (Kris Harsh) of initial notification of a reported fire incident having occurred at the Williams Midstream Dunbar Compressor Station in the Town of Windsor. Kris Harsh called Mr. Stevens to ascertain status and scope of occurring incident. The status at this time was the compressor station and pipeline was resuming pressure build-up to reinitiate transport of gas onto the Millennium Pipeline. No failures, damages or injuries had occurred and the ESD had performed as designed. Kris Harsh reports results of phone interview with Curtis Stevens. Interview and review of incident. Site visit to compressor station. Interview & review of incident; system information. Brief phone call confirming fire department notification and dispatch time and estimated number of citizen evacuees.

9:07PM

7/23/2012

Curtis Stevens

9:20PM 9:30AM 9:30 AM 1:00 PM

7/23/2012 8/15/2012 8/15/2012 9/19/2012

Brett Mahan Anthony Decesaris Dave Thompson West Windsor Fire Chief Jerry Launt

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Incident Investigation Report (Rev. 3/30/2011 through Amdt. 192-113 & 195-93).

Incident Investigation Report


Investigation Contact Log
Time Date Name Description

Page 21 of 23
Incident Investigation Report (Rev. 3/30/2011 through Amdt. 192-113 & 195-93).

Incident Investigation Report


Failure Investigation Documentation Log
Appendix Number Documentation Description None, other than attachments and photos by Investigator Harsh. Date Received 8/15/2012

Page 22 of 23
Incident Investigation Report (Rev. 3/30/2011 through Amdt. 192-113 & 195-93).

Incident Investigation Report


Site Description
Provide a sketch of the area including distances from roads, houses, stress inducing factors, pipe configurations, etc. Bar Hole Test Survey Plot should be outlined with concentrations at test points. Photos should be taken from all angles with each photo documented. Additional areas may be needed in any area of this guideline. [See Photo Section.]

Page 23 of 23
Incident Investigation Report (Rev. 3/30/2011 through Amdt. 192-113 & 195-93).

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