Petronas to act after spotting similar risks in gas line network

Free Malaysia Today

a day ago

DOSH petroleum safety division director Husdin Che Amat said the agency has discussed with Petronas the actions and measures that need to be taken in both the short and long term.
SHAH ALAM : Petronas has identified other parts of its gas pipeline network that may be affected by the same issue that led to the April 1 explosion and blaze in Putra Heights, says the occupational safety and health department (DOSH).
DOSH petroleum safety division director Husdin Che Amat said the agency has discussed with Petronas the actions and measures that need to be taken in both the short and long term.
'We have given clear instructions, as the issue has already been identified. Petronas will take proactive measures to implement the necessary improvements,' he told a press conference at the Selangor government's office here today.
Earlier, Husdin said that parts of the gas line in Putra Heights had failed because the condition of the ground underneath was not strong enough to support the weight and pressure of the pipe.
He said cyclic loading had left stress lines and fatigue striations on the surface of the pipe in Putra Heights, with the damage slowly spreading. This caused ductile failure which led to the leakage of gas, triggering the fire.
On the pipeline, Husdin did not specify which locations had been identified by Petronas for improvement works.
However, he said the pipeline spans 2,680km, from Kerteh to Segamat, to the border with Singapore and from Pengerang to Segamat and to the border with Thailand.
He said investigations revealed that since the gas pipeline was commissioned in 2000, the ground had sunk by 24.3cm over a 25-year period. This soil settlement caused the pipeline to shift by 15.9cm, as confirmed by pipe samples showing signs of pressure and fatigue on its structure.
The mineral and geoscience department also found that the ground in the affected area was saturated with underground water, leading to weakened soil conditions.
Although the pipeline met all technical specifications and standards, investigators concluded that several environmental factors contributed to the failure.
These included unstable ground, long-term water accumulation, the impact on monsoon drainage and culvert structures, climate stress and population density in the area.
The investigating team concluded that these underground environmental conditions were the main cause of the pipeline's failure, which then led to metal friction and gas ignition at 8.08am on the day of the fire.
Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the findings will serve as the basis for risk analysis in similar areas.
'A special committee under the state disaster management unit will be formed.
'This will involve experts, including from Petronas, to propose reforms to planning approvals, legal frameworks, and development policies that consider climate risks and the right-of-way corridors for gas pipelines,' he said.