Monday morning, a frightening situation unfolded in Deer Park, as high-reaching flames exploded from a pipeline. Natural gas continued to burn off hours after the fire was contained, and emergency officials recommended people in the area evacuate.
The cause of the fire is being investigated, and Deer Park officials confirmed the enflamed pipeline is owned by Energy Transfer.
According to a database from the Railroad Commission of Texas, Energy Transfer has had eight incidents surrounding its pipelines in 2024. These incidents caused roughly $1.4 million in property damages, which include damages to equipment and infrastructure. There are no reports of deaths or injuries related to these eight incidents.
The company’s most recent incident report before today’s fire occurred back in June when a vehicle veered off the road at a high rate of speed. It hit a distribution farm tap serviced by Energy Transfer near Alvin.
Internal corrosion accounted for at least three of the incidents involving Energy Transfer pipelines in 2024. The other incidents were predominantly caused by leaks in valves and tubing that caused gas leaks.
According to the RRC, Energy Transfer has had 53 total pipeline incidents since 2021.
Back in July of 2022, the company had another large pipeline explosion and fire in Fort Bend County.
The 2022 fire also caused residents to be evacuated, but Energy Transfer was able to shut down the line and contain the fire in just an hour, according to an email sent out by the company.
According to RRC documents, the 2022 explosion was caused by external corrosion due to stray current on the pipeline that led to failure.
The Deer Park fire has been much less forgiving. It started around 10 a.m. Monday morning, and the flames are still blazing more than seven hours later. The cause of the Deer Park pipeline fire is being investigated.