State agency: Company failed to mark buried pipeline’s path before deadly explosion in Texas

Report: Texas pipeline wasn’t marked before blast

FORT WORTH, Texas — A Texas agency says a company didn’t adequately mark the path of a buried natural gas pipeline that exploded after it was hit by a drill, killing a worker.

The Texas Railroad Commission’s report issued Tuesday says Enterprise Products Operating LLC violated several state regulations and could be fined $10,000 per day per violation.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Enterprise was ordered to take action immediately.

The explosion occurred June 7 in a rural area of Johnson County, about 40 miles south of Fort Worth, when a worker drilling holes punctured the pipeline.

Enterprise says it is evaluating the report and will determine if it needs to improve its safety procedures.

Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, www.star-telegram.com