Ground subsidence behind Putra Heights pipeline explosion, says DOSH
SHAH ALAM: Ground subsidence has been identified as the cause of the underground pipeline explosion in Putra Heights on April 1, authorities said
The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat said the ground beneath the pipe was not being strong enough to support the weight and pressure of the pipe, causing it to become unstable, leak and eventually explode.
He said based on the findings, the gas pipe involved in the incident met all technical and safety specifications.
"However, the lower part of the pipe was found to be not fully supported by the soil (unsupported segment) which was identified as soft and damp.
"This resulted in a physical failure of the pipe section at the incident location, causing a gas leak that caught fire.
"This weak soil caused the pipe to move repeatedly (cyclic loading), which created stress lines and fatigue striations on the pipe surface," he told a press conference today.
Husdin said the metallography analysis showed that tensile overload was the main cause of the failure.
"This damage developed slowly until it caused ductile failure which released gas and started a fire.
"In conclusion, the pipe failure was caused by the soil under the pipe not being strong enough to support the weight and pressure of the pipe, causing it to become unstable, leak and eventually explode.
"The location of this failure was not due to activities on the ground surface, but because the soil underneath did not support it well."
He said DOSH conducted a comprehensive investigation for almost three months in collaboration with the Department of Minerals and Geosciences, the Public Works Department, the Fire and Rescue Department and the police.
The investigation was conducted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Amendment 2022) and the Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984.
The investigation process involved visual inspections at the scene, measurements and checks of gas pipe components and the collection of samples for laboratory analysis.
On April 1, a massive fire broke out at a Petronas gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, causing widespread panic as flames shot into the air.
The heat from the flames, visible for kilometres away, melted plastic and metal within a wide radius of the pipeline.
Some 145 people, including three children, were affected, with a number of victims suffering second-degree burns.
A total of 227 houses and 365 vehicles were damaged in residential areas near the pipeline.
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Temporary gas pipeline to begin supply in Putra Heights today
PUTRAJAYA: A temporary pipeline in Putra Heights will supply gas starting from today as repair works on the damaged line are being conducted. The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) said the works are part of a two-phase project to restore safe and stable gas supply to residents and businesses affected by the April 1 incident. "Phase 1 involved installing a 210-metre temporary pipeline to replace the damaged section. "To stabilise the ground at the site, a bridge foundation structure measuring approximately 8 metres by 100 metres was constructed to provide additional support for the pipe," it said in a statement issued by DOSH's director-general's office today. Comprehensive safety tests, including non-destructive testing (NDT) of welding joints and a 24-hour pressure test, were conducted, it said. It said the results, verified by DOSH and an independent third party, confirmed that there were no leaks or pressure drops. "With safety certified, the temporary pipeline will begin supplying gas on July 1 to restore consistent service to users. "Phase 2 will see the installation of three new gas pipelines, each around 200 metres in length, at the affected location." It said concrete slab structures will be used to house the new pipes, offering improved safety and durability. Engineering designs for this phase are currently being finalised, with operations expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. "DOSH emphasised that safety remains the top priority in all repair efforts. "All work is being carried out in full compliance with recognised international technical codes and standards, including ASME B31.8 (Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers)." It said contractors involved in the works are registered with DOSH and meet its strict regulatory requirements. It said welding procedures and welder qualifications also adhere to prescribed technical standards. "Geotechnical assessments, including soil mapping, subsoil and rock layer studies, and ground movement monitoring, are being conducted to ensure the long-term stability and safety of the pipeline installation site." DOSH also gave its assurance that all works are being closely and impartially monitored to safeguard not only the construction workers, but also nearby residents and businesses. As an additional safety measure, Petronas has been instructed to provide real-time monitoring access to the pipeline's isolation valve system, ensuring immediate shutdown in the event of an emergency, it said. "DOSH acknowledged the urgency of restoring gas supply and reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring every stage of the project to ensure it is carried out responsibly, restoring public confidence in the safety of the gas pipeline system in the area." Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in a statement yesterday said although the gas pipeline met the required technical specifications and standards, its failure was attributed to several environmental factors. They include unstable soil conditions, long-term groundwater accumulation which softened the soil in the area, monsoon drainage structures and culverts affected by the soil conditions, as well as climatic stress and population density. On April 1, a massive fire broke out at a Petronas gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya. The heat from the flames, visible for kilometres away, damaged houses and vehicles, among others.
Free Malaysia Today
13 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Petronas to act after spotting similar risks in gas line network
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.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ground subsidence behind Putra Heights pipeline explosion, says DOSH
SHAH ALAM: Ground subsidence has been identified as the cause of the underground pipeline explosion in Putra Heights on April 1, authorities said The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat said the ground beneath the pipe was not being strong enough to support the weight and pressure of the pipe, causing it to become unstable, leak and eventually explode. He said based on the findings, the gas pipe involved in the incident met all technical and safety specifications. "However, the lower part of the pipe was found to be not fully supported by the soil (unsupported segment) which was identified as soft and damp. "This resulted in a physical failure of the pipe section at the incident location, causing a gas leak that caught fire. "This weak soil caused the pipe to move repeatedly (cyclic loading), which created stress lines and fatigue striations on the pipe surface," he told a press conference today. Husdin said the metallography analysis showed that tensile overload was the main cause of the failure. "This damage developed slowly until it caused ductile failure which released gas and started a fire. "In conclusion, the pipe failure was caused by the soil under the pipe not being strong enough to support the weight and pressure of the pipe, causing it to become unstable, leak and eventually explode. "The location of this failure was not due to activities on the ground surface, but because the soil underneath did not support it well." He said DOSH conducted a comprehensive investigation for almost three months in collaboration with the Department of Minerals and Geosciences, the Public Works Department, the Fire and Rescue Department and the police. The investigation was conducted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Amendment 2022) and the Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984. The investigation process involved visual inspections at the scene, measurements and checks of gas pipe components and the collection of samples for laboratory analysis. On April 1, a massive fire broke out at a Petronas gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, causing widespread panic as flames shot into the air. The heat from the flames, visible for kilometres away, melted plastic and metal within a wide radius of the pipeline. Some 145 people, including three children, were affected, with a number of victims suffering second-degree burns. A total of 227 houses and 365 vehicles were damaged in residential areas near the pipeline.
