PHMSA F 7000-2 Gravity and Reporting-Regulated Hazardous Liquid Acciden

Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline: Record keeping and Accident Reporting

HL Gravity and RR Gathering Accident Report Form and Instructions -PHMSA F7000-2 2019-10-01

OMB: 2137-0047

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NOTICE: This report is required by 49 CFR Part 195. Failure to report can result in a civil penalty not to exceed
$100,000 for each violation for each day that such violation persists except that the maximum civil penalty shall not
exceed $1,000,000 as provided in 49 USC 60122.

GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED
HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration

OMB NO: 2137-0047
EXPIRATION DATE: TBD by OMB

Report Date
No.

(DOT Use Only)

A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays
a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2137-0047. Public reporting for this collection
of information is estimated to be approximately 10 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information
Collection Clearance Officer, PHMSA, Office of Pipeline Safety (PHP-30) 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20590.
INSTRUCTIONS

Important:
Please read the separate instructions for completing this form before you begin. They clarify the
information requested and provide specific examples. If you do not have a copy of the instructions, you can obtain
one from the PHMSA Pipeline Safety Community Web Page at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/library/forms.
PART A – KEY REPORT INFORMATION
Report Type: (select all that apply)  Original  Supplemental  Final
A1. Operator’s OPS-issued Operator Identification Number (OPID):

A2. Name of Operator: _____auto-populated based on OPID____
A3. Address of Operator:
A3.a Street Address auto-populated based on OPID

A3.b City auto-populated based on OPID

A3.c State auto-populated based on OPID

A3.d Zip Code auto-populated based on OPID

A4. Earliest local time (24-hr clock) and date an accident reporting criteria was met:
/

Hour

Month

Day

Year

A4.a Time Zone for local time (select only one)  Alaska
A4.b Daylight Savings in effect?  Yes  No
A5. Location of Accident:
Latitude:
/ / / . / /
Longitude: - / / / / . /

/
/

 Eastern  Central  Hawaii-Aleutian

 Mountain  Pacific.

A6. Commodity released: (select only one, based on predominant volume released)

 Crude Oil
 HVL or Other Flammable or Toxic Fluid which is a Gas at Ambient Conditions
 LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) / NGL (Natural Gas Liquid)
 Other HVL  Name: _______________________________
A7. Estimated volume of commodity released unintentionally:

/,/

/./

/ Barrels

A8. Estimated volume of intentional and/or controlled release/blowdown:
(only reported for HVL Commodity)

/,/

/./

/ Barrels

A9. Estimated volume of commodity recovered

/,/

/./

/ Barrels

A10. Were there fatalities?  Yes  No
If Yes, specify the number in each category:

A11. Were there injuries requiring inpatient hospitalization?
If Yes, specify the number in each category:

 Yes  No

A10.a Operator employees

A11.a Operator employees

A10.b Contractor employees
working for the Operator

A11.b Contractor employees
working for the Operator

A10.c Non-Operator
emergency responders

A11.c Non-Operator
emergency responders

A10.d Workers working on the
right-of-way, but NOT
associated with this Operator

A11.d Workers working on the
right-of-way, but NOT
associated with this Operator

A10.e General public

A11.e General public

A10.f Total fatalities (sum of above)

calculated

A11.f Total injuries (sum of above)

calculated

A12. What was the Operator’s initial indication of the Failure? (select only one)
Form PHMSA F 7000-2

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 CPM leak detection system
 SCADA-based information (such as alarm(s), alert(s), event(s), and/or volume calculations)
 Static Shut-in Test or Other Pressure or Leak Test
 Controller
 Local Operating Personnel, including contractors
 Air Patrol
 Ground Patrol by Operator or its contractor
 Notification from Public
 Notification from Emergency Responder
 Notification from Third Party that caused the Accident
 Other _________________________________________________
A12.a If “Controller”, “Local Operating Personnel, including contractors”, “Air Patrol”, or “Ground Patrol by Operator or its contractor” is
selected in Question 12, specify the following: (select only one)

 Operator employee

 Contractor working for the Operator

A13. Local time Operator identified failure

Hour

Month

Day

Year

A14. Was the origin of the Accident onshore?
 Yes (Complete Questions B1-B6)  No (Complete Questions B7)
If A12 = Notification from Emergency Responder, skip A15a through A15c
A15a. Did the operator communicate with Local, State, or Federal Emergency Responders about the incident?

 Yes

 No

If No, skip A15b and A15c
A15b. Which party initiated communication about the accident?

 Operator

 Local/State/Federal Emergency Responder

A15c. Local time of initial Operator and Local/State/Federal Emergency Responder communication
/ / / / /
/
Hour

A16 Local time Operator responders arrived on site

Hour

Month

Day

Year

A17. Local time (24-hr clock) and date of initial operator report to the National Response Center :
/

Hour

Month

Day

Year

A18 Initial Operator National Response Center Report Number OR  NRC Notification Not Required OR
 NRC Notification Required But Not Made
A19. Additional NRC Report numbers submitted by the operator:_____________________

 Yes

A20. Did the commodity ignite?
A20a. Local time of ignition

Hour

 No If Yes, answer A20a through d:

Month

Day

A20b. How was the fire extinguished?
 Operator/Contractor  Local/State/Federal Emergency Responder

Year

 Allowed to burn out

 Other, specify:_________

A20c. Volume of product consumed by fire (barrels) (must be less than or equal to A7)
A20d. Did the commodity explode?

 Yes

 No

If A6. = Crude Oil AND A14. = Onshore, answer questions A21a and b:
A21a. Did the operator activate its Onshore Oil Spill Response Plan?  Yes  No
A21b. Did the operator mobilize an Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO)?  Yes
If Yes, answer A21c. and d:
A21c. Local time operator notified OSRO
/ / / / /
Hour

A21d. Local time OSRO arrived at site
A22. Number of general public evacuated: /

Form PHMSA F 7000-2

/,/

 No
/

Month

Day

Year

Reproduction of this form is permitted

Page 2 of 7

PART B – ADDITIONAL LOCATION INFORMATION
If Onshore:
B1. State: /

B2. ____________________
City

 Yes

B4. Was this onshore Accident on Federal land?

B3. _______________________
County or Parish

 No

B5. Location of Accident: (select only one)

 Totally contained on Operator-controlled property  Pipeline right-of-way
 Originated on Operator-controlled property, but then flowed or migrated off the property
B6. Did the Accident occur in a crossing?:  Yes
If Yes, B6a. specify type: 




 No

Bridge crossing Specify:  Cased  Uncased
Railroad crossing (select all that apply)  Cased
 Uncased
Road crossing (select all that apply)  Cased
 Uncased
Water crossing Specify:  Cased
 Uncased

 Bored/drilled
 Bored/drilled

If B6a. = Water crossing, answer B6.b through e
B6b. Name of body of water, if commonly known: _____________________________________
B6c. Approx. water depth (ft) at the point of the Accident: /
B6d. (select only one)

/,/

 Unknown

 Shoreline/Bank/Marsh crossing
Below water, pipe buried below bottom (NOT in bored/drilled crossing)
 Below water, pipe in bored/drilled crossing
Below water, pipe on or above bottom

B6e. Year of most recent engineering/risk evaluation of the crossing

 None

If Offshore:
B7. Origin of Accident:

 In State waters
Specify: State:

Area: _____ Block/Tract #: /___/___/___/___/ Nearest County/Parish: ________

 On the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) (select only one)  OCS – Alaska
 OCS-Gulf of Mexico
Specify: Area: ________

Block/Tract #: /___/___/___/___/

 OCS- Atlantic
 OCS – Pacific

PART C – ADDITIONAL FACILITY INFORMATION
C1. Item involved in Accident: (select only one)

 Pipe  Specify:

 Pipe Body

 Pipe Seam

 Joint, including heat-affected zone  Specify:  Pipe Girth Joint  Other Butt Joint  Fillet Joint
 Other ___________mandatory text field______________________
If C1. is Pipe or Pipe Girth Joint, answer C1.a:
C1.a Nominal Pipe Size:

/./

C2. Material involved in Accident: (select only one)
 Carbon Steel
 Material other than Carbon Steel  Specify: ____________________________________________
If C2. is Carbon Steel, answer C2.a:
C2.a % SMYS caused by operating pressure at the time of failure:
C3. Classification of pipeline system: (select only one)
 Gravity Transmission
 Gravity Gathering

Form PHMSA F 7000-2

/./

 Reporting-Regulated Gathering

Reproduction of this form is permitted

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PART D – ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCE INFORMATION
D1. Wildlife impact:
 Yes  No
D1.a If Yes, specify all that apply:
 Fish/aquatic

 Birds
 Terrestrial
D2. Soil contamination:

 Yes  No

D3. Long term impact assessment performed or planned:

 Yes  No

D4. Anticipated remediation:  Yes  No (not needed)
D4a. If Yes, specify all that apply:
 Surface water  Groundwater  Soil
D5. Water contamination:

 Yes



 Vegetation

 Wildlife
 No

(Complete 5.a – 5.c below)

D5a. Specify all that apply:
 Ocean/Seawater

 Surface
 Groundwater
 Drinking water



(Select one or both)

 Private Well  Public Water Intake

D5b. Estimated amount released in or reaching water:

Barrels

D5c. Name of body of water, if commonly known: __________________________________________
D6. Estimated Property Damage:
D6a. Estimated cost of public and non-Operator private property damage

/,/

D6b. Estimated cost of commodity lost

/,/

D6c. Estimated cost of Operator’s property damage & repairs

/,/

D6d. Estimated cost of Operator’s emergency response

/,/

D6e. Estimated cost of Operator’s environmental remediation

/,/

D6f. Estimated other costs

/,/

Describe ___________________________________________________
D6g. Total estimated property damage (sum of above)

$ calculated

Injured Persons not included in A11 The number of persons injured, admitted to a hospital, and remaining in the hospital for at least one
overnight are reported in A11. If a person is included in A11, do not include them in D7.
D7. Estimated number of persons with injuries requiring treatment in a medical facility but not requiring overnight in-patient hospitalization:
If a person is included in D7, do not include them in D8.
D8. Estimated number of persons with injuries requiring treatment by EMTs at the site of incident:
Buildings Affected
D9. Number of residential buildings affected (evacuated or required repair):
D10. Number of business buildings affected (evacuated or required repair):

Form PHMSA F 7000-2

Reproduction of this form is permitted

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PART E – APPARENT CAUSE

Select only one box from PART G in the shaded column on the left representing the
APPARENT Cause of the Accident. Describe secondary, contributing, or root causes of the
Accident in the narrative (PART H).

E1 - Corrosion Failure – *only one sub-cause can be picked
 External Corrosion
 Internal Corrosion

E2 - Natural Force Damage - *only one sub-cause can be picked
 Earth Movement, NOT due to Heavy Rains/Floods
 Heavy Rains/Floods
 Lightning
 Temperature
 High Winds
 Tree/Vegetation Root
 Snow/Ice Impact or Accumulation
 Other Natural Force Damage

E3 – Excavation Damage - *only one sub-cause can be picked
 Excavation Damage by Operator (First Party)
 Excavation Damage by Operator’s Contractor (Second Party)
 Excavation Damage by Third Party
 Previous Damage due to Excavation Activity

E4 - Other Outside Force Damage - *only one sub-cause can be picked
 Nearby Industrial, Man-made, or Other Fire/Explosion as Primary Cause of Accident
 Damage by Car, Truck, or Other Motorized Vehicle/Equipment NOT Engaged in Excavation
 Damage by Boats, Barges, Drilling Rigs, or Other Maritime Equipment or Vessels Set Adrift or Which Have
Otherwise Lost Their Mooring

 Routine or Normal Fishing or Other Maritime Activity NOT Engaged in Excavation
 Electrical Arcing from Other Equipment or Facility
 Previous Mechanical Damage NOT Related to Excavation
 Intentional Damage
 Other Outside Force Damage

Form PHMSA F 7000-2

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E5 - Material Failure of Pipe or Weld *Only one sub-cause can be picked
 Design-, Construction-, Installation-, or Fabrication-related
 Original Manufacturing-related (NOT girth weld or other welds formed in the field)
 Environmental Cracking-related

E6 - Equipment Failure - *only one sub-cause can be picked
 Malfunction of Control/Relief Equipment
 Pump or Pump-related Equipment
 Threaded Connection/Coupling Failure
 Non-threaded Connection Failure
 Defective or Loose Tubing or Fitting
 Failure of Equipment Body (except Pump), Tank Plate, or other Material
 Other Equipment Failure

E7 - Incorrect Operation - *only one sub-cause can be picked
 Damage by Operator or Operator’s Contractor NOT Related to Excavation and NOT due to Motorized
Vehicle/Equipment Damage

 Tank, Vessel, or Sump/Separator Allowed or Caused to Overfill or Overflow
 Valve Left or Placed in Wrong Position, but NOT Resulting in a Tank, Vessel, or Sump/Separator Overflow or
Facility Overpressure

 Pipeline or Equipment Over-pressured

 Equipment Not Installed Properly
 Wrong Equipment Specified or Installed
 Other Incorrect Operation

E8 – Other Accident Cause - *only one sub-cause can be picked from shaded left-hand column
 Miscellaneous
 Unknown

Form PHMSA F 7000-2

Reproduction of this form is permitted

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PART F – NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PART G – PREPARER

Preparer's Name (type or print)

Preparer’s Telephone Number

Preparer's Title (type or print)
Preparer's E-mail Address

Preparer’s Facsimile Number

Local Contact Name: optional
Local Contact Email: optional
Local Contact Phone: optional

Form PHMSA F 7000-2

Reproduction of this form is permitted

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Each operator of a hazardous liquid gravity or reporting-regulated gathering pipeline system
shall file Form PHMSA F 7000-2 for an accident that meets the criteria in 49 CFR §195.50
as soon as practicable but not more than 30 days after discovery of the accident.
Requirements for submitting reports are in §195.54 and §195.58.
Releases during maintenance activities are not to be reported if the spill was less than 5
barrels, not otherwise reportable under 49 CFR §195.50, did not result in water pollution as
described by 49 CFR §195.52(a)(4), was confined to company property or pipeline rightof-way, and was cleaned up promptly. Any spill of 5 gallons or more to water during a
maintenance activity is required to be reported.
Form PHMSA F 7000-2 and these instructions can be found on
http://phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/library/forms. The applicable documents are included in the
section titled Accidents/Incidents/Annual Reporting Forms.

ONLINE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Accident Reports must be submitted online through the PHMSA Portal at
https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/portal, unless an alternate method is approved (see Alternate
Reporting Methods below).

You will not be able to submit reports until you have met all of the Portal registration
requirements – see
http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov/portal_message/PHMSA_Portal_Registration.pdf
Completing these registration requirements could take several weeks. Plan ahead and
register well in advance of the report due date.
Use the following procedure for online reporting:
1. Go to the PHMSA Portal at https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/portal
2. Enter PHMSA Portal Username and Password ; press enter
3. Select OPID; press “continue” button.
4. On the left side menu under “Incident/accident (2010 to present)” select “ODES
2.0”
5. Under “Create Reports” on the left side of the screen, select “Hazardous Liquid”
and proceed with entering your data.
6. Click “Submit” when finished with your data entry to have your report uploaded
to PHMSA’s database as an official submission of an Accident Report; or click
“Save” which doesn’t submit the report to PHMSA but stores it in a draft status to
allow you to come back to complete your data entry and report submission at a later
time. Note: The “Save” feature will allow you to start a report and save a draft of
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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT
it which you can print out and/or save as a PDF to email to colleagues in order to
gather additional information and then come back to accurately complete your data
entry before submitting it to PHMSA.

7. Once you click “Submit”, the system will check if all applicable portions of the
report have been completed. If portions are incomplete, a listing of these portions
will appear above the row of Parts, and the report will not be submitted until all
required items are complete. If all applicable portions have been completed, the
system will show your Saved Incident/Accident Reports in the top portion of the
screen and your Submitted Incident/Accident Reports in the bottom portion of the
screen. Note: To confirm that your report was successfully submitted to PHMSA,
look for it in the bottom portion of the screen where you can also view a PDF of
what you submitted.
Supplemental Report Filing – Follow Steps 1 through 4 above, and double-click a
submitted report from the Submitted Incident/Accident Reports list. The report will default
to a “Read Only” mode that is pre-populated with the data you submitted previously. To
create a supplemental report, click on “Create Supplemental” found in the upper right corner
of the screen. At this point, you can amend your data and make an official submission of
the report to PHMSA as either a Supplemental Report or as a Supplemental Report plus Final
Report (see “Specific Instructions, PART A, Report Type”), or you can use the “Save” feature
to create a draft of your Supplemental Report to be submitted at some future date.
Alternate Reporting Methods
Operators for whom electronic reporting imposes an undue burden and hardship may submit
a written request for an alternate reporting method. Operators must follow the requirements
in §195.58(d) to request an alternate reporting method and must comply with any conditions
imposed as part of PHMSA’s approval of an alternate reporting method.

RETRACTING A 30-DAY WRITTEN REPORT
An operator who reports an accident in accordance with §195.54 (oftentimes referred to as
a 30-day written report) and upon subsequent investigation determines that the event did not
meet the criteria in §195.50 may request that the report be retracted. Requests to retract a
30-day written report are to be emailed to [email protected].
Requests are to include the following information:
a. The Report ID (the unique 8-digit identifier assigned by PHMSA)
b. Operator name
c. PHMSA-issued OPID number
d. The number assigned by the National Response Center (NRC) when an
immediate notice was made in accordance with §195.52. If Supplemental
Reports were made to the NRC for the event, list all NRC report numbers
associated with the event.
e. Date of the event
f. Location of the event
g. A brief statement as to why the report should be retracted.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

Certain data fields must be completed before an Original Report will be accepted. An
Original Report will not be able to be submitted online until the required information has
been provided, although your partially completed form can be saved online so that you can
return at a later time to provide the missing information.
1. An entry should be made in each applicable space or check box, unless otherwise
directed by the section instructions.
2. If the data is unavailable, enter “Unknown” for text fields and leave numeric fields and
fields using check boxes or “radio” buttons blank.
3. Estimate data only if necessary. Provide an estimate in lieu of answering a question
with “Unknown” or leaving the field blank. Estimates should be based on best-available
information and reasonable effort.
4. For unknown or estimated data entries, the operator should file a Supplemental Report
when additional information becomes available.
5. If the question is not applicable, please enter “N/A” for text fields and leave numeric
fields and fields using check boxes or “radio” buttons blank. Do not enter zero unless
this is the actual value being submitted for the data in question.
6. If OTHER is checked for any answer to a question, include an explanation or
description on the line provided, making it clear why “Other” was the necessary
selection.
7. Pay close attention to each question for the phrase:
a. (select all that apply)
b. (select only one)
If the phrase does not exist for a given question, then “select only one” should apply.
“Select only one” means that you should select the single, primary, or most applicable
answer. DO NOT SELECT MORE ANSWERS THAN REQUESTED. “Select all that
apply” requires that all applicable answers (one or more than one) be selected.
8. Date format = mm/dd/yy or for year = /yyyy/
9. Time format: All times are reported as a 24-hour clock:
Time format Examples:
a. (0000) = midnight =
b. (0800) = 8:00 a.m. =
c. (1200) = Noon
=
d. (1715) = 5:15 p.m. =
e. (2200) = 10:00 p.m. =

/0/0/0/0/
/0/8/0/0/
/1/2/0/0/
/1/7/1/5/
/2/2/0/0/

Local time always refers to time at the site of the accident. Note that time zones at the
accident site may be different than the time zone for the person discovering or reporting the
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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

event. For example, if a release occurs at afacility in Denver, Colorado at 2:00 pm MST,
but an individual located in Houston is filing the report after having been notified at 3:00
pm CST, the time of the accident is to be reported as 1400 hours based on the time in Denver,
which is the physical site of the accident.

PART A – GENERAL REPORT INFORMATION
Report Type: (select all that apply)
Select the appropriate report box or boxes to indicate the type of report being filed.
Depending on the descriptions below, the following combinations of boxes - and only one
of these combinations - may be selected:
•
•
•
•

Original Report only
Original Report plus Final Report
Supplemental Report only
Supplemental Report plus Final Report

 Original Report
Select if this is the FIRST report filed for this accident and you expect that additional or
updated information will be provided later.
 Original Report

plus

 Final Report

Select both Original Report and Final Report if ALL of the information requested is known
and can be provided at the time the initial report is filed, including final property damage
costs and apparent failure cause information. If new, updated, and/or corrected information
becomes available, you are still able to file a Supplemental Report.
 Supplemental Report
Select only if you have already filed an Original Report AND you are now providing new,
updated, and/or corrected information, but you are not yet ready to submit a Final Report.
Multiple Supplemental Reports are to be submitted, as necessary, in order to provide new,
updated, and/or corrected information when it becomes available and, per §195.54(b)15(c),
each Supplemental Report containing new, updated, and/or corrected information is to be
filed within 30 days. Submission of new, updated, and/or corrected information is NOT to
be delayed in order to accumulate “enough” to “warrant” a Supplemental Report, or to
complete a Final Report. Supplemental Reports must be filed within 30 days following the
Operator’s awareness of new, updated, and/or corrected information. Failure to comply
with these requirements can result in enforcement actions, including the assessment of civil
penalties as provided in 49 USC 60122.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

In cases where an accident results in long-term remediation, an operator may cease filing
Supplemental Reports in the following situations and, instead, file a Final Report even when
additional remediation costs and recovery of released commodity are still occurring:
1. When the accident response consists only of long-term remediation
and/or monitoring which is being conducted under the auspices of an
authorized governmental agency or entity.
2. When the estimated final costs and volume of commodity recovered can
be predicted with a reasonable degree of certainty.
3. When the volume of commodity recovered over time is consistently
decreasing to the point where an estimated total volume of commodity
recovered can be predicted with a reasonable degree of accuracy.
4. When the operator can justify (and explain in the Part H – Narrative) that
the continuation of Supplemental Report filings in the future will not
provide any essential information which will be critically different than
that contained in a Final Report filed currently.
In any of these cases, though, if the reported total volume of commodity released or other
previously reported data other than “Estimated cost of Operator’s environmental
remediation” or “Estimated volume of commodity recovered” is found to be inaccurate, a
Supplemental Report is still required.
For Supplemental Reports filed online, all data previously submitted will automatically
populate in the form. Page through the form to make edits and additions where needed.
 Supplemental Report

plus

 Final Report

If an Original Report has already been filed AND new, updated, and/or corrected
information is now being submitted via a Supplemental Report AND the operator is
reasonably certain that no further information will be forthcoming, then Final Report is to
also be selected along with Supplemental Report.
If you subsequently find that new, updated, and/or corrected information needs to be
provided, submit another Supplemental Report.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

PART A – GENERAL REPORT INFORMATION

A1. Operator’s OPS -Issued Operator Identification Number (OPID)
For online entries, the OPID will automatically populate based on the selection you made
when entering the Portal. If you have log-in credentials for multiple OPID, be sure the
report is being created for the appropriate OPID. Contact PHMSA’s Information Resources
Manager at 202-366-8075 if you need assistance with an OPID. Business hours are 8:30
AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
A2. Name of Operator
This is the company name associated with the OPID. For online entries, the name will
automatically populate based on the OPID entered in A1. If the name that appears is not
correct, you need to submit an Operator Name Change (Type A) Notification.
A3. Address of Operator
This is the headquarters address associated with the OPID. For online entries, the address
will automatically populate based on the OPID entered in A1. If the address that appears is
not correct, you need to change it in the online Contacts module.
A4. Earliest local time (24-hour clock) and date an accident reporting criteria was
met
Enter the earliest local date/time an accident reporting criteria was met. In most cases this
time will be the same as when the operator identified the failure, which is reported in A13.
In some cases, this date/time will be prior to the operator’s identification of the failure and
must be estimated based on information gathered during the investigation. For example, if
a small leak was undetectable by SCADA or leak detection systems and was not identified
by the Operator until there were visible signs on the ground surface, the date/time a
reporting criteria was met must be estimated.
See “Special Instructions”, numbers 8 and 9 for examples of Date format and
Time format expressed as a 24-hour clock.
A4a. Select the local time zone where the Incident occurred (select only one).
A4b. Select “Yes” if Daylight Savings was in effect at the time of the Incident, or
“No” if it was not.
A5. Location of Accident
The latitude and longitude of the accident are to be reported as Decimal Degrees with a
minimum of 5 decimal places (e.g. Lat: 38.89664 Long: -77.04327), using the WGS84
datum.

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GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

If you have coordinates in degrees/minutes or degrees/minutes/seconds use the formula
below to convert to decimal degrees:
degrees + (minutes/60) + (seconds/3600) = decimal degrees
e.g. 38° 53' 47.904" = 38 + (53/60) + (47.904/3600) = 38.89664°
All locations in the United States will have a negative longitude coordinate, which has
already been included on the data entry form so that operators do not have to enter
the negative sign.
If you cannot locate the accident with a GPS or some other means, there are online tools
that may assist you at http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/.
A6. Commodity Released
Select only one primary description of the commodity and then, where applicable, the
secondary description of the commodity, based on the predominant volume released. Only
releases of transported commodities are reportable.
 Crude Oil
 HVL or Other Flammable or Toxic Fluid which is a Gas at Ambient
Conditions
Highly Volatile Liquids (HVLs) are hazardous liquids or liquid mixtures
which will form a vapor cloud when released to the atmosphere and have
a vapor pressure exceeding (40 psia) 276 kPa at 37.8 C.
Other Flammable or Toxic Fluids are those defined under 49 CFR
173.120 Class 3—Definitions
Other flammable or toxic fluids which fall under this category include
gases at ambient conditions, such as anhydrous ammonia (NH3) and
propane. For a petrochemical feedstock, such as ethane or ethylene,
which is also classified as a highly volatile liquid, report as “Other HVL”
and specify the appropriate name (e.g., “ethane” or “ethylene”) in the
space provided.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

General Information for Questions A7, 8, and 9:

Estimate volumes in barrels. Barrel means a unit of measurement equal to 42 U.S.
standard gallons. If less than 1 barrel, report to 1 decimal place using the conversion table
below. Small volumes, including but not limited to those which result in some form of
ignition, are to be reported as 0.1 barrels.
If estimated volume
is
<5
5-10
11-14
15-18
19-23

gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons

Report
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5

If estimated volume
is

barrels
barrels
barrels
barrels
barrels

24-27
28-31
32-35
36-39
40-42

gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons

Report
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

barrels
barrels
barrels
barrels
barrels

A7. Estimated volume of commodity released unintentionally
Estimate the amount of commodity released from the pipeline system at the failure site. An
estimate of the volume released may be based on a variety and/or combination of inputs,
including:
• calculations made by hydraulic engineers
• volume added to the pipeline segment to repack the line when the line is
placed back in service
• measured volume of free phase commodity recovered, with allowances for
commodity that is not recovered.
• volume calculated to be absorbed by soil or water
• volume calculated to have been lost to evaporation (e.g., for gasoline spills)
A8. Estimated volume of intentional and/or controlled release/blowdown
This section is completed only for HVL releases. Estimate the amount of commodity that
was released during any intentional release, flaring or other controlled blowdown conducted
as part of responding to or recovering from the accident. Intentional and controlled
blowdown implies a level of control of the site and situation by the operator such that the
area and the public are protected during the controlled release.
A9. Estimated volume of commodity recovered
Recovered means the commodity is no longer in the environment. The commodity could
have been removed by: absorbent pads or similar mechanisms; transferring to temporary
storage such as a vacuum truck, a frac tank, or similar vessel; soil removal; bio-remediation;
or other similar means of removal or recovery. The volume recovered can be estimated
based on a variety or combination of the measurement of free phase commodity recovered,
the amount calculated to be absorbed by soil or water that was removed from the
environment, measurement of oil extracted from absorbent pads, etc.
A10. Were there fatalities?
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GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

If a person dies at the time of the accident or within 30 days of the initial accident date due
to injuries sustained as a result of the accident, report as a fatality. If a person dies
subsequent to an injury more than 30 days past the accident date, report as an injury. (Note:
This aligns with the Department of Transportation's general guidelines for all jurisdictional
transportation modes for reporting deaths and injuries.)
Select “Yes” or “No” and if “Yes” is selected, enter the category of person(s) and number
of fatalities resulting from the Accident.
Contractor employees working for the operator are individuals hired to work for or on
behalf of the operator of the pipeline. These individuals are not to be reported as “Operator
employees”.
Non-Operator emergency responders are individuals responding to render professional
aid at the accident scene including on-duty and volunteer fire fighters, rescue workers,
EMTs, police officers, etc. “Good Samaritans” that stop to assist should be reported as
“General public.”
Workers Working on the Right of Way, but NOT Associated with this Operator means
people authorized to work in or near the right-of-way, but not hired by or working on
behalf of the operator of the pipeline. This includes all work conducted within the
right-of-way including work associated with other underground facilities sharing the
right-of-way, building/road construction in or across the right-of-way, or farming.
This category most often includes employees of other pipelines or underground
facilities operators, or their contractors, working in or near a shared right-of-way.
Workers performing work near, but not on, the right-of-way and who are affected
should be reported as “General public”.
A11. Were there injuries requiring inpatient hospitalization?
Injuries requiring inpatient hospitalization are injuries sustained as a result of the accident
which require both hospital admission and at least one overnight stay.
Select “Yes” or “No” and if “Yes” is selected, enter the category of person(s) injured, and
number of persons injured resulting from the Accident
See Question A10 for additional definitions that apply.
A12. What was the Operator’s initial indication of the Failure? (select only one)
Select the option best describing how the operator first became aware of the failure
resulting in this accident report. When the selection in A12 is operator staff, indicate
whether the staff are employed by the operator or working as a contractor in A12a.
Controller per the definition in API RP 1168 means a qualified individual whose function
within a shift is to remotely monitor and/or control the operations of entire or multiple
sections of pipeline systems via a SCADA system from a pipeline control room, and who

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

has operational authority and accountability for the daily remote operational functions of
pipeline systems.
Local Operating Personnel including contractors means employees or contractors
working on behalf of the operator outside the control room.
A13. Enter the date/time of the event reported in A12. The earliest date/time than an
accident reporting criteria was met is reported in item A4. In some cases, the operator may
become aware of a failure before an accident reporting criteria is met. In other cases, one
of more accident reporting criteria may be met before the operator becomes aware of the
failure.
A14. Was the origin of the accident onshore?
Respond with Yes or No.
A15. Operator Communication with Local, State, or Federal Emergency
Responders
In an Advisory Bulletin dated October 11, 2012, PHMSA reminded Operators of the need
to communicate with Emergency Responders in the early stages of a potential Accident.
This is typically accomplished by contacting Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs) along
the pipeline route. The purpose of the communication is to assist in the identification,
location and planning for response to pipeline Accidents through coordination and
information sharing.
A15a. Select Yes if there was communication about the accident. If A12. is
“Notification from Emergency Responder”, A15a. will automatically populate with Yes.
If 15a. is no, skip 15b. and 15c.
A15b. Select the party initiating the communication. If A12. is “Notification from
Emergency Responder”, A15b. will automatically populate with “Local/State/Federal
Emergency Responder”.
A15c. Enter the local date and time of the initial communication. If A12. is “Notification
from Emergency Responder”, A15c. will automatically populate with the value in A13.
A16. Enter the date/time operator responders, company or contract, arrived on site.
Chronologically, A16. must be concurrent with or later than A13. These times are to be
shown by 24-hour clock notation and reported in the time zone where the accident occurred.
(See “Special Instructions”, numbers 8 and 9.) PHMSA will use this data to calculate
incident response times.
A17. Local time (24-hr clock) and date of initial operator report to the National
Response Center
Enter the time and date of the initial Immediate Notice of the accident to the NRC. The
time is to be shown by 24-hour clock notation in the time zone where the incident
occurred. All NRC Reports are time stamped for the eastern time zone. Be sure to

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

convert to local time if the accident did not occur in the eastern time zone. (See “Special
Instructions”, numbers 9 and 10.)
A18. Initial Operator National Response Center (NRC) Report Number

Accidents meeting the criteria outlined in §195.52 are to be reported directly to the 24-hour
National Response Center (NRC) at 1-800-424-8802 at the earliest practicable moment.
The NRC assigns numbers to each call. Enter the number assigned to the operator’s initial
Immediate Notice (sometimes referred to as the “Telephonic Report”). If a NRC report was
not made, select the option that best describes why: NRC Notification Not Required or
NRC Notification Required But Not Made.
A19. Additional NRC Report Numbers
If the operator made more than one call to the NRC, enter each additional NRC report
number.
A20. Did the Commodity Ignite?
Ignite means the released commodity (including liquid vapors) caught fire (including
flash fires).
If the answer is “Yes,” enter the time and date of the ignition in A20a. The time is to be
shown by 24-hour clock notation in the time zone where the Incident occurred. If the fire
was extinguished, select “Operator/Contractor” or “Local/State/Federal Emergency
Responder,” to indicate who extinguished the fire, or select “Allowed to Burn Out,” if it
was not extinguished, in A20b. Enter the volume of gas consumed by fire in thousand
standard cubic feet (mcf) in A20c. If the accident resulted in an explosion, select Yes in
A20d. Explode means ignition of the commodity, or its vapor, with a sudden and violent
release of energy.
A21. Oil Spill Response
If A6. is “Crude Oil” AND A14. is Onshore, answer questions A21a. and A21b.
A21a. Onshore Oil Spill Response Plan Activated?
If the Onshore Oil Spill Response Plan was activated in response to the accident, select Yes.
Otherwise, select No.
A21b. OSRO Mobilized?
If an Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO) was mobilized in response to the accident,
select Yes. Otherwise, select No. If Yes, enter the time the OSRO was notified and the
time the OSRO arrived on site in A21c. and A21d.
A22. Number of general public evacuated
The number of people evacuated is to be estimated based on operator knowledge, or police,
fire department, or other emergency responder reports. If there was no evacuation involving
the general public, report zero (0).

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

PART B – ADDITIONAL LOCATION INFORMATION

If Onshore
B1. – B3. Accident Location
Provide the state, zip code, city, and county/parish in which the accident occurred.
B4. Was this onshore Accident on Federal Land?
Federal Lands means all lands the United States owns, including military reservations,
except lands in National Parks and lands held in trust for Native Americans. Accidents at
Federal buildings, such as Federal Court Houses, Custom Houses, and other Federal office
buildings and warehouses, are NOT to be reported as being on Federal Lands.
B5. Location of Accident (select only one)
Operator-controlled Property would normally apply to an operator’s facility, which may
or may not have controlled access, but which is often fenced or otherwise marked with
discernible boundaries. This “operator-controlled property” does not refer to the pipeline
right-of-way, which is a separate choice for this question.
B6. Did Accident occur in a crossing?
If Yes, select the type of crossing in B6a.
Use Bridge Crossing if the pipeline is suspended above a body of water or roadway,
railroad right-of-way, etc., either on a separately designed pipeline bridge or as a part of or
connected to a road, railroad, or passenger bridge.
Use Railroad Crossing or Road Crossing, as appropriate, if the pipeline is buried beneath
rail bed or road bed.
Use Water Crossing if the pipeline is in the water, beneath the water, in contact with the
natural ground of the lake bed, etc., or buried beneath the bed of a lake, reservoir, stream or
creek, whether the crossing happens to be flowing water at the time of the accident or not.
If B6a. is Water Crossing, answer B6b. through B6e. The name of the body of water should
be provided if it is commonly known and understood among the local population. The
purpose of this information is to allow persons familiar with the area in which the accident
occurred to identify the location and understand it in its local context. Research to identify
names that are not commonly used is not necessary since such names would not fulfill the
intended purpose. If a body of water does not have a name that is commonly used and
understood in the local area, this field may be left blank. For Approximate Water Depth
(ft) of the lake, reservoir, etc., estimate the typical water depth at the location of the accident,
ignoring seasonal, weather-related, and other factors which may affect the water depth from
time to time. Pick the best description of the failure location within the water crossing in
B6d. Provide the year of the most recent engineering/risk evaluation that was performed to
evaluate the crossing. This is not intended to include underwater crossing surveys unless
the survey report included a detailed scour study or other engineering review of the risk

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

posed to the pipeline resulting from scour or other shoreline or bottom stability-type
concerns.
If Offshore
B7. Origin of the Accident
Area and Tract/Block numbers are to be provided for either State or OCS waters, whichever
is applicable. For Nearest County/Parish the data collected is intended to allow persons
familiar with the area in which the accident occurred to identify the location and understand
it in its local context. Accordingly, it is not necessary to take measurements to determine
which county/parish is “nearest” in cases where the accident location is approximately
equidistant from two (or more). In such cases, the name of one of the nearby
counties/parishes is to be provided. For accidents on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
identify the region where the accident occurred by selecting one of the four options listed.

PART C – ADDITIONAL FACILITY INFORMATION
C1. Item involved in Accident
Pipe (whether pipe body or pipe seam) means the pipe through which the commodity is
transported, not including auxiliary piping, tubing or instrumentation.
Nominal pipe size. It is the diameter in whole number inches (except for pipe less than 5”)
used to describe the pipe size; for example, 8-5/8” outside diameter pipe has a nominal pipe
size of 8 Decimals are unnecessary for this measure (except for pipe with an outside
diameter less than 5”).
Pipe seam means the longitudinal seam (longitudinal or spiral weld) created during
manufacture of the joint of pipe.
If the accident occurred on an item not listed in this section, select “Other” and specify
the item that failed in the space provided.
C2. Material involved in Incident
Enter the material involved in the accident. If the material is “Material other than Carbon
Steel or Plastic”, specify the type of material in the space provided.
C2a. As a percent of the specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) of the pipe, enter the
hoop stress caused by the operating pressure at the time of the accident.
C3. Classification of pipeline System (select only one)
Gravity Transmission means a transmission line transporting hazardous liquids by
gravity line as per §195.1(a)(2) and §195.13.
Gravity Gathering means a gathering line transporting hazardous liquids by gravity line
as per §195.1(a)(2), §195.13, and §195.15.
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GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

Reporting-Regulated Gathering means a gathering line that does not otherwise meet the
definition of a regulated rural gathering line in §195.11 and any gathering line not already
covered under § 195.1(a)(1), (2), (3) or (4).

PART D – ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCE INFORMATION
D1. If wildlife was impacted, select Yes and indicate the type in D1a. Otherwise, select
No.
D2. If the spill contaminated soil, select Yes and estimate the number of cubic yards of
soil hauled away and treated on site in D2a. Otherwise, select No.
D3. If a long-term impact assessment is planned or perfomed, select Yes. Otherwise,
select No.
D4. If remediation is anticipated, select Yes and select all of the types of remediation
anticipated in D4a. Otherwise, select No.
D5. If water was contaminated, select Yes and answer D5a. through D5c. Otherwise,
select No.
D5a. Select all of the types of water contaminated. If “Drinking water” is selected,
indicate the subtype(s) contaminated.
D5b. Estimated amount released in or reaching water
An estimate of the volume released in or reaching water may be based on a variety and/or
combination of inputs, including those mentioned above for PART A, Questions 7 and 8.
D5c. Name of body of water, if commonly known:
The name of the body of water should be provided if it is commonly known and understood
among the local population. The purpose of this information is to allow persons familiar
with the area in which the accident occurred to identify the location and understand it in its
local context. Research to identify names that are not commonly used is not necessary since
such names would not fulfill the intended purpose. If a body of water does not have a name
that is commonly used and understood in the local area, this field should be left blank.
D6. Estimated Property Damage
All relevant costs available at the time of submission must be included on the initial written
Accident Report as well as being updated as needed on Supplemental Reports. This includes
(but is not limited to) costs due to property damage to the operator’s facilities and to the
property of others, commodity lost, facility repair and replacement, and environmental
cleanup and damage. Do NOT include costs incurred for facility repair, replacement, or
change that are NOT related to the accident and which are typically done solely for
convenience. An example of doing work solely for convenience is working on non-leaking
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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

facilities unearthed because of the accident. Litigation and other legal expenses related to
the accident are not reportable.
Operators are to report costs based on the best estimate available at the time a report is
submitted. It is likely that an estimate of final repair costs may not be available when the
initial report must be submitted (30 days, per §195.54). The best available estimate of these
costs should be included in the initial report. For convenience, this estimate can be revised,
if needed, when Supplemental Reports are filed for other reasons, however, when no other
changes are forthcoming, Supplemental Reports are to be filed as new cost information
becomes available. If Supplemental Reports are not submitted for other reasons, a
Supplemental Report is to be filed for the purpose of updating or correcting the estimated
cost if these costs differ from those already reported by 20 percent or $20,000, whichever is
greater.
Public and Non-operator private property damage estimates generally include physical
damage to the property of others, the cost of environmental investigation and remediation
of a site not owned or operated by the operator, laboratory costs, third party expenses such
as engineers or scientists, and other reasonable costs, excluding litigation and other legal
expenses related to the accident.
Cost of commodity lost includes the cost of the commodity not recovered and/or the cost
of recovered commodity downgraded to a lower value or re-processed, and is to be based
on the volumes reported in A7 and A8.
Operator’s property damage estimates generally include physical damage to the property
of the operator or owner company such as the estimated installed or replacement value of
the damaged pipe, coating, component, materials, or equipment due to the accident,
excluding litigation and other legal expenses related to the accident.
When estimating the Cost of repairs to company facilities, the standard shall be the cost
necessary to safely restore pipeline facilities to the pre-accident level of service. Cost of
repairs include the cost to access, excavate, and repair the pipeline using methods, materials,
and labor necessary to re-establish operations. These costs may include the cost of repair
sleeves or clamps, re-routing of piping, or the removal from service of an appurtenance,
tank, or pipeline component. When more comprehensive repairs or improvements are
justified but not required for continued operation, the cost of such repairs or replacement is
not attributable to the accident. Costs associated with improvements to the pipeline or other
facilities to mitigate the risk of future failures are not included.
Estimated costs of emergency response include emergency response operations necessary
to return the accident site to a safe state, actions to minimize the volume of commodity
released, conduct reconnaissance, identify the extent of accident impacts, and contain,
control, mitigate, recover, and remove the commodity from the environment, to the
maximum extent practicable. They include materials, supplies, labor, and benefits. Costs
related to stakeholder outreach, media response, etc. are not to be included. The estimated
costs of long-term remediation activities should be included in Environmental Remediation
estimates.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

Environmental remediation includes the estimated cost to remediate a site such as those
associated with engineering, scientists, laboratory costs, and the installation, operation, and
maintenance of long-term recovery systems, etc.
Other costs are to include any and all costs which are not included above. Operators are to
NOT use this category to report any costs which belong in cost categories separately listed
above.
Costs are to be reported in only one category and are not to be double-counted. Costs can
be split between two or more categories when they overlap more than one reporting
category.
Injured persons not included in A11. The number of persons injured, admitted to a
hospital, and remaining in the hospital for at least one overnight are reported in A11. If a
person is included in A11, do not include them in D7.
D7. Number of persons with injuries requiring treatment in a medical facility but not
requiring overnight in-patient hospitalization.
D8. Number of persons with injuries requiring treatment by EMTs at the site of incident
If a person is included in D7, do not include them in D8.
Buildings Affected
evacuated.

The term ‘affected’ means the building was either damaged or

D9. Enter the number of residential buildings affected.
D10. Enter the number of commercial and industrial buildings affected.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

PART E – APPARENT CAUSE

PART E – Apparent Cause
Select the one, single sub-cause listed under sections E1 thru E8 that best describes the
apparent cause of the Accident. These sub-causes are contained in the shaded column
on the left under each main cause category. Make every effort to find a category that
fits the Accident’s Apparent Cause and avoid the use of Other and Unknown when
possible. Use of Unknown as an Apparent Cause will require the submittal of a
Supplemental Report to revise the Apparent Cause when it becomes known.
E1 – Corrosion Failure
Corrosion includes a release or failure caused by galvanic, atmospheric, stray current,
microbiological, selective seam, or other corrosive action. A corrosion release or failure is
not limited to a hole in the pipe or other piece of equipment. If the bonnet or packing gland
on a valve or flange on piping deteriorates or becomes loose and leaks due to corrosion and
failure of bolts, it is to be classified as Corrosion. (Note: If the bonnet, packing, or other
gasket has deteriorated to failure, whether before or after the end of its expected life, but not
due to corrosive action, it is to be classified under G6 - Equipment Failure.)
E2 – Natural Force Damage
Natural Force Damage includes an Accident resulting from earth movement, earthquakes,
landslides, subsidence, lightning, heavy rains/floods, washouts, flotation, mudslide,
scouring, temperature, frost heave, frozen components, high winds, or similar natural
causes.
Earth Movement, NOT due to Heavy Rains/Floods refers to accidents caused by land
shifts such as earthquakes, subsidence, or landslides, but not mudslides which are presumed
to be initiated by heavy rains or floods.
Heavy Rains/Floods refer to all water-related natural force causes. While mudslides
involve earth movement, report them here since typically they are a result of heavy rains or
floods.
Lightning includes both damage and/or fire caused by a direct lighting strike and damage
and/or fire as a secondary effect from a lightning strike in the area. An example of such a
secondary effect would be a forest fire started by lightning that results in damage to a
pipeline system asset which results in an accident.
Temperature includes weather-related temperature and thermal stress effects, either heat
or cold, where temperature was the initiating cause.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

High Winds includes damage caused by wind-induced forces. Select this category if the
damage is due to the force of the wind itself. Damage caused by impact from objects blown
by wind would be reported under G4 - Other Outside Force Damage.
Tree/Vegetation Root includes damages caused by tree and vegetation roots.
Snow/Ice Impact or Accumulation should be indicated when snow and/or ice caused
damage to the hazardous liquid pipeline asset which results in an accident.
Other Natural Force Damage. Select this sub-cause for types of Natural Force Damage
not included otherwise, and describe in the space provided. If necessary, provide additional
explanation in PART F– Narrative Description of the Accident.
E3 – Excavation Damage
Excavation Damage includes a release or failure resulting directly from excavation damage
by operator's personnel (oftentimes referred to as “first party” excavation damage) or by the
operator’s contractor (oftentimes referred to as “second party” excavation damage) or by
people or contractors not associated with the operator (oftentimes referred to as “third party”
excavation damage). Also, this section includes a release or failure determined to have
resulted from previous damage due to excavation activity. For damage from outside forces
OTHER than excavation which results in a release, use E2 - Natural Force Damage or E4 Other Outside Force, as appropriate. Also, for a strike, physical contact, or other damage
to a pipeline or facility that apparently was NOT related to excavation and that results in a
delayed or eventual release, report the accident under E4 as “Previous Mechanical Damage
NOT related to Excavation.”
Excavation Damage by Operator (First Party) refers to accidents caused as a result of
excavation by a direct employee of the operator.
Excavation Damage by Operator’s Contractor (Second Party) refers to accidents caused
as a result of excavation by the operator’s contractor or agent or other party working for the
operator.
Excavation Damage by Third Party refers to accidents caused by excavation damage
resulting from actions by personnel or other third parties not working for or acting on behalf
of the operator or its agent.
Previous Damage due to Excavation Activity refers to accidents that were apparently
caused by prior excavation activity and that then resulted in a delayed or eventual
release. Indications of prior excavation activity might come from the condition of the pipe
when it is examined, or from records of excavation at the site, or through metallurgical
analysis or other inspection and/or testing methods. Dents and gouges in the 10:00-to-2:00
o’clock positions on the pipe, for instance, may indicate an earlier strike, as might marks
from the bucket or tracks of an earth moving machine or similar pieces of equipment.
E4 – Other Outside Force Damage

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

Other Outside Force Damage includes, but is not limited to, a release or failure resulting
from non-excavation-related outside forces, such as nearby industrial, man-made, or other
fire or explosion; damage by vehicles or other equipment; failures due to mechanical
damage; and, intentional damage including vandalism and terrorism.
Nearby Industrial, Man-made or other Fire/Explosion as Primary Cause of Accident
applies to situations where the fire occurred before - and caused - the release. Examples of
such an accident would be an explosion or fire at a neighboring facility or installation
(chemical plant, tank farm, other industrial facility) or structure, debris, or brush/trees that
results in a release at the operator’s pipeline or facility. This includes forest, brush, or
ground fires that are caused by human activity. If the fire, however, is known to have been
started as a result of a lightning strike, the accident’s cause is to be classified under E2 Natural Force Damage. Arson events directed at harming the pipeline or the operator should
be reported as G4 - Intentional Damage (see below).
Damage by Car, Truck, or Other Motorized Vehicle/Equipment NOT Engaged in
Excavation. An example of this sub-cause would be a stopple tee that releases commodity
when damaged by a pickup truck maneuvering near the pipeline. Other motorized vehicles
or equipment include tractors, backhoes, bulldozers and other tracked vehicles, and heavy
equipment that can move. Include under this sub-cause accidents caused by vehicles
operated by the pipeline operator, the pipeline operator’s contractor, or a third party, and
specify the vehicle/equipment operator’s affiliation from one of these three groups. Pipeline
accidents resulting from vehicular traffic loading or other contact should also be reported in
this category. If the activity that caused the release involved digging, drilling, boring,
grading, cultivation or similar activities, report under E3 - Excavation Damage.
Damage by Boats, Barges, Drilling Rigs, or Other Maritime Equipment or Vessels Set
Adrift or Which Have Otherwise Lost Their Mooring. This sub-cause includes impacts
by maritime equipment or vessels (including their anchors or anchor chains or other attached
equipment) that have lost their moorings and are carried into the pipeline facility by the
current. This sub-cause also includes maritime equipment or vessels set adrift as a result of
severe weather events and carried into the pipeline facility by waves, currents, or high
winds. In such cases, also indicate the type of severe weather event. Do NOT report in this
sub-cause accidents which are caused by the impact of maritime equipment or vessels while
they are engaged in their normal or routine activities; such accidents are to be reported as
“Routine or Normal Fishing or Other Maritime Activity NOT Engaged in Excavation”
under this section E4 (see below) so long as those activities are not excavation activities. If
those activities are excavation activities such as dredging or bank stabilization or renewal,
the accident is to be reported under E3 - Excavation Damage.
Routine or Normal Fishing or Other Maritime Activity NOT Engaged in Excavation.
This sub-cause includes accidents due to shrimping, purse seining, oil drilling, or oilfield
workover rigs, including anchor strikes, and other routine or normal maritime-related
activities UNLESS the movement of the maritime asset was due to a severe weather event
(this type of accident should be reported under “Damage by Boats, Barges, Drilling Rigs,
or Other Maritime Equipment or Vessels Set Adrift or Which Have Otherwise Lost Their
Mooring” in this section E4); or the accident was caused by excavation activity such as
dredging of waterways or bodies of water (this type of accident is to be reported under E3 Excavation Damage).
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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

Electrical Arcing from Other Equipment or Facility such as a pole transformer or
adjacent facility’s electrical equipment.
Previous Mechanical Damage NOT Related to Excavation. This sub-cause covers
accidents where damage occurred at some time prior to the release that was apparently NOT
related to excavation activities, and would include prior outside force damage of an
unknown nature, prior natural force damage, prior damage from other outside forces, and
any other previous mechanical damage other than that which was apparently related to prior
excavation. Accidents resulting from previous damage sustained during construction,
installation, or fabrication of the pipe or weld from which the release eventually occurred
are to be reported under E5 - Material Failure of Pipe or Weld. (See this sub-cause for
typical indications of previous construction, installation, or fabrication damage.) Accidents
resulting from previous damage sustained as a result of excavation activities should be
reported under E3 – Previous Damage due to Excavation Activity. (See this sub-cause for
typical indications of prior excavation activity.)
Intentional Damage includes any of the following:
Vandalism means willful or malicious destruction of the operator’s pipeline
facility or equipment. This category would include arson, pranks, systematic
damage inflicted to harass the operator, motor vehicle damage that was inflicted
intentionally, and a variety of other intentional acts.
Terrorism, per 28 CFR §0.85 General Functions, includes the unlawful use of force
and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the
civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social
objectives. Operators selecting this item are encouraged to also notify the FBI.
Theft of commodity or Theft of equipment means damage by any individual or
entity, by any mechanism, specifically to steal, or attempt to steal, the transported
commodity or pipeline equipment.
Other Describe in the space provided and, if necessary, provide additional
explanation in PART F– Narrative Description of the Accident.
Other Outside Force Damage. Select this sub-cause for types of Other Outside Force
Damage not included otherwise, and describe in the space provided. If necessary, provide
additional explanation in PART F – Narrative Description of the Accident.
E5 – Material Failure of Pipe or Joint
Use this section to report material failures only if “Item Involved in accident” (PART C,
Question 1) is “Pipe” (whether “Pipe Body” or “Pipe Seam”) or “Joint.”
This section includes releases in or failures from defects or anomalies within the material
of the pipe body or within the pipe seam or other weld due to manufacturing processes,

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

material imperfections, defects resulting from poor construction, installation, or fabrication
practices, and in-service stresses such as vibration, fatigue, and environmental cracking.
Design-, Construction-, Installation-, or Fabrication-related includes a release or failure
caused by improper design practices, a dent, gouge, excessive stress, or some other defect
or anomaly introduced during the process of constructing, installing, or fabricating pipe and
pipe welds in the field, including welding or other activities performed at the construction
job site. Included are releases from or failures of wrinkle bends, field welds, and damage
sustained in transportation to the construction or fabrication site. Not included are failures
due to seam defects, which are to be reported as Original Manufacturing-related (see below).
Original Manufacturing-related (NOT girth weld or other welds formed in the field)
includes a release or failure caused by a defect or anomaly introduced during the process of
manufacturing pipe, including manufacturing and handling of the plate materials, seam
defects and defects in the pipe body. This option is not appropriate for wrinkle bends, field
welds, girth welds, or other joints fabricated in the field. Use this option for failures such as
those due to defects of the longitudinal weld or inclusions in the pipe body. If the girth
welds were completed at the pipe mill (such as in the case of double joints welded prior to
delivery to the jobsite) report those failures in this category.
Environmental Cracking-related includes failures by Stress Corrosion Cracking, Sulfide
Stress Cracking, Hydrogen Stress Cracking, Hard Spots or other environmental cracking
mechanism.
E6 – Equipment Failure
This section applies to failures of items other than “Pipe” (“Pipe Body” or “Pipe
Seam”) or “Joint”.
Equipment Failure includes a release or failure resulting from: malfunction of
control/relief equipment including valves, regulators, or other instrumentation; failures of
compressors, or compressor-related equipment; failures of various types of connectors,
connections, and appurtenances; failures of the body of equipment, vessel plate, or other
material (including those caused by construction-, installation-, or fabrication-related and
original manufacturing-related defects or anomalies); and, all other equipment-related
failures.
Malfunction of Control/Relief Equipment. Examples of this type of accident cause
include: overpressurization resulting from malfunction of a control or alarm device; relief
valve malfunction; valves failing to open or close on command; or valves which opened or
closed when not commanded to do so. If overpressurization or some other aspect of this
accident was caused by incorrect operation involving human error, the accident should be
reported under E7 - Incorrect Operation.
Other Equipment Failure. Select this sub-cause for types of Equipment Failure not
included otherwise. If necessary, provide additional explanation in PART F – Narrative
Description of the Accident.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

E7 – Incorrect Operation

Incorrect Operation includes a release or failure resulting from operating, maintenance,
repair, or other errors by facility personnel or pipeline controllers, including, but not limited
to improper valve selection or operation, inadvertent overpressurization, or improper
selection or installation of equipment in the field. If the failure occurs in the pipe body or
weld, and is a result of inadequate design or a design error, the Incident is to be reported
under E5 – Material Failure of Pipe or Weld, Design-, Construction-, Installation-, or
Fabrication-related.
Other Incorrect Operation. Select this sub-cause for types of Incorrect Operation not
included otherwise, and describe in the space provided. If necessary, provide additional
explanation in PART F– Narrative Description of the Accident.
E8 – Other Accident Cause
This section is provided for accidents whose cause is currently unknown, or where
investigation into the cause has been exhausted and the final judgment as to the cause
remains unknown, or where a cause has been determined which does not fit into any of the
main cause categories listed in sections E1 thru E7. PHMSA will review all E-8 cause
selections and determine if it meets the definition of any category listed in E1 thru E7 before
a Final Report is accepted for closure. All sub cause categories of “Unknown” require a
Supplemental Report to be filed before being accepted as Final.
If the accident cause is known but doesn’t fit into any category in sections E1 thru E7, select
Miscellaneous and enter a description of the accident cause, in PART F - Narrative
Description of the Accident.
If the accident cause is unknown at the time of filing this report, select Unknown in this
section. Once the operator’s investigation into the accident cause is completed, the operator
is to file a Supplemental Report as soon as practicable either reporting the apparent cause
or stating definitively that the cause remains Unknown, along with any other new, updated,
and/or corrected information pertaining to the accident. This Supplemental Report is to
include all new, updated, and/or corrected information pertaining to all portions of the report
form known at this time, and not only that information related to the apparent cause.
Important Note: Whether the investigation is completed or not, or if the cause continues
to be unknown, Supplemental Reports are to be filed reflecting new, updated, and/or
corrected information as and when this information becomes available. In those cases in
which investigations are ongoing for an extended period of time, operators are to file a
Supplemental Report within one year of their last report for the accident even in those
instances where no new, updated, and/or corrected information has been obtained, with an
explanation that the cause remains under investigation in PARTF – Narrative Description
of Accident. Additionally, final determination of the apparent cause and/or closure of the
investigation does NOT preclude the need for the operator’s filing of additional
Supplemental Reports as and when new, updated, and/or corrected information becomes
available.

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Instructions for Form PHMSA F 7000-2
GRAVITY AND REPORTING-REGULATED HAZARDOUS LIQUID ACCIDENT REPORT

PART F – NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT
Concisely describe the accident, including the facts, circumstances, and conditions that may
have contributed directly or indirectly to causing the accident. Include secondary,
contributing, or root causes when possible, or any other factors associated with the cause
that are deemed pertinent. Use this section to clarify or explain unusual conditions and to
explain any estimated data.
If you selected Miscellaneous in section E8, the narrative is to describe the accident in detail,
including all known or suspected causes and possible contributing factors.

PART G – PREPARER
The Preparer is the person who compiled the data and prepared the responses to the report
and who is to be contacted for more information (preferably the person most knowledgeable
about the information in the report or who knows how to contact the person most
knowledgeable). Enter the Preparer’s e-mail address if the Preparer has one, and the phone
and fax numbers used by the Preparer.
You may also provide a local contact for the report.

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File Type	application/pdf
Author	PHMSA
File Modified	2019-10-01
File Created	2019-10-01