Fatal Explosion in Gasoline Pipeline that Suffered Major Spill in September

A strategic interstate gasoline pipeline exploded in Alabama on Oct. 31, not far from the September spill site after an accidental strike by a track hoe, killing one and injuring five workers. Higher gas prices and long lines are anticipated.

3 minute read

November 3, 2016, 10:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The explosion in Shelby County caused the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline that "begins in Houston, Texas and ends in Linden, New Jersey, traversing 11 other states along the way," according to the  company.

Credit: Colonial Pipeline Company

"The blast on Monday occurred several miles from its biggest gasoline spill in nearly two decades in September," reports Devika Krishna Kumar for Reuters. "That spill caused a 12-day interruption in the flow of about 1.3 million barrels per day of the fuel from the refining hub on the Gulf Coast to the Northeast."

The shutdown will restrict gasoline supplies to millions of Americans in the Southeast and possibly the Northeast. The Northeast could be less affected since it can get supplies via waterborne shippers.

The 5,500-mile (8,850-km) Colonial Pipeline is the largest U.S. refined products pipeline system and can carry more than 3 million barrels of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel between the U.S. Gulf Coast and the New York Harbor area.

According to a press release by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday, the contractor was performing work "to install a permanent repair required by the previous pipeline rupture on September 9, 2016."

The fire was still burning on Wednesday. Long lines and higher gas prices are anticipated in inland markets in the U.S. Southeast, which do not have access to ports, similar to what happened in September after the spill.

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory took action to dispatch "fleets of gasoline tanker trucks from outside North Carolina [to make] deliveries across the state beginning today", according to his press release on Wednesday.  "[T]he state gets 70 percent of its gasoline from the Colonial Pipeline," notes Kumar. 

"Colonial said on Wednesday it still aimed to reopen the vital supply artery by Saturday, but added that the timetable might change as it gets updated information," report Kumar and Erwin Sebar on Wednesday. Price increases of 10 to 15 cents per gallon are anticipated according to GasBuddy.

Pipeline safety experts said while regulators will investigate the incident, the pipeline could resume service sooner than it did in September due to fewer uncertainties about the cause.

The pipeline is also a crucial conveyance of jet fuel for the East Coast market.

In an otherwise unrelated Reuters article on Colonial Pipeline, Kumar and Liz Hampton report that the company wants to change its jet fuel deliveries from a high-sulfur to a low-sulfur grade by 2018 which would result in higher fuel costs or airlines.

Colonial's plan is driven largely by waning demand for high-sulphur fuels. Railroad and marine transportation companies, for instance, are using less high-sulphur diesel fuel in response to environmental regulations.

Sulphur levels in jet fuel are not currently regulated, however, and the industry still uses high-sulphur fuels widely, in part because they have better lubricating qualities for airplane engines.

About two-thirds of East Coast jet fuel demand is currently met by pipeline flows from the Gulf Coast, according to analysts at Energy Aspects.

Also on Planetizen:

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 in Reuters

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

1 hour ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

3 hours ago - Next City