BP pipeline job. Working in a residental subdivsion. Tapping into a diesel gas pipeline. With 300 p.si. Had a 3/8" plug blow out of the adapter that hoses the cutter. Had just started cutting hole. Pilot bit had penatrated pipe and pressure built up and the problem started. Was just climbing out of hole and heard it go. First thing going threw my mind was to plug it up. Tried twice but pressure blew the valve i was trying to install out of my hand. Cranked cutter back up and closed valve but was still coming out, just at a lower pressure. Then is when i was able to get valve into nipple on adapter. During this time the vac. truck was also trying to get hose over gas. Needless to say we made a enviremental issue. The EPA,OSHA,Fire Dept.,Ambulance,Many Many BIG SHOTS showed up. Evac some houses, and close down road area. As you can see the gas ended up hitting house and all around it. I was completely drenched in gas. Changed to new FRC clothing and that is all i had on. All the way down to undewear was soaked. Even rubber boots i had on filled with gas. The house had for sale sign in yard. By days end owner had pulled it out. Track hoe operator was taking pics. in general and then caught it all on film. She had 100 pics. Shw sneeked a few my way. Bp got there hands on her pics. real fast. The thing is she wasn't allowed to take pics. Bp wouldn't allow my company to have any. So there is a big mess to clean up. guesssing little over 100 gallons or so emptied out onto ground. anyway the job did restart about 6 hours later nad finished with out any further problems. Now the finger pointing starts.


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