Causes sought for deadly Belgium pipeline explosion

Aug. 19, 2004
An investigation is continuing into the cause of a pipeline leak that led to the disastrous natural gas pipeline explosion in southwestern Belgium July 31 that killed at least 16 persons and injured 115 or more. The chain of explosions occurred at the Ghislenghien industrial site near the French border 20 miles southeast of Brussels.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Aug. 19 -- An investigation is continuing into the cause of a pipeline leak that led to the disastrous natural gas pipeline explosion in southwestern Belgium July 31 that killed at least 16 persons and injured 115 or more. The chain of explosions, which also damaged or destroyed several nearby buildings, occurred at the Ghislenghien industrial site near the French border 20 miles southeast of Brussels.

Fluxys NV, operator of the large diameter, high-pressure transmission line between Zebrugge and the French border, confirmed that a leak has been reported 30 minutes prior to the explosion and that emergency personnel investigating the leak and securing the area were among the casualties.

Acting provincial governor Guy Petit told Belgian media that the pipeline apparently was damaged by construction workers building a road over the pipeline some weeks earlier. After the blaze was extinguished, deep symmetrical gouges, possibly made by a backhoe, were found etched into a section of the pipe, severely reducing pipe thickness. In addition, large jagged rocks had been dumped onto the pipe at the site, without first blanketing it with protective gravel and soil. Fluxys also was said to have increased pressure in the line the same morning, after completing normal maintenance procedures at Zebrugge.

Fluxys, which said disruptions to gas supply were minor, shut off gas to the line following the explosion and diverted deliveries via a parallel line to France, Europe's fourth largest gas market.

Fluxys is owned jointly by Royal Dutch/Shell, French utility giant the Suez Group, and a group of municipalities.