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Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners LP is a company that through various companies owns and/or operates petroleum product, natural gas, and carbon dioxide pipelines, related storage facilities, terminals, and power plants in the United States. It also has retail natural gas operations.
List of disasters involving Kinder-Morgan
Susuin marsh diesel spill
On April 28, 2004, a decrepit petroleum pipeline owned and operated by Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners ruptured, spilling an estimated 1,500 barrels (240 m²) of diesel fuel into marshes adjacent to Suisun Bay.
Walnut Creek gasoline fire disaster
On November 9, 2004 in Walnut Creek, California, a petroleum pipeline carrying gasoline to San Jose owned and operated by Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners was struck by a backhoe used by Mountain Cascade Inc., a contractor operating in the construction of a water pipeline for the East Bay Municipal Utility District. A massive gasoline spill was subsequently ignited, likely by welders of subcontractor Matamoros Welding working inside the water pipe, resulting an explosive fireball that caused the deaths by burns of four workers and their supervisor and the severe injury of four others. Several nearby homes were ignited and one was partially destroyed. The fire burned for several hours before being brought under control by firefighters from departments throughout the central county region. Preliminary indications are that the location of the petroleum pipeline was staked out with an error of five feet by K-M. EBMUD contract with MC specifies that "contractor shall verify location" [of the KM pipeline prior to construction (in this section)]. EBMUD had terminated the first Contractor, Modern Continental (MC) for moving too slowly, with MC pointing out the need for caution due to a previous staking error of 13 feet in another location. KM claims that it is not its responsibility to determine exactly the location of the pipeline [1]. Contrary to established procedures, KM had no representative on site. EBMUD denies rushing its contractors and is currently suing Modern Continental for breach of contract. Investigation by State of California authorities continues.
[1]Contra Costa Times, Friday, November 26, 2004, pages 1 and 23
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