Associated Press Published

Company, State Investigate Marshall County Pipeline Ruptures

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Williams Energy and state regulators are investigating two natural gas pipeline ruptures that occurred within hours of each other in Marshall County.

Williams spokesman Helen Humphreys tells The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register that the company believes heavy rains were a contributing factor. She says the rains might have destabilized soils.

A 4-inch pipeline ruptured northeast of Glen Dale shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday. Around 10:50 p.m. Thursday, a 12-inch pipeline ruptured along U.S. 250 in the Bane Lane area.

Humphreys says the pipelines were carrying condensate, a mix of petroleum products found in natural gas. She says the company will mitigate any possible environmental effects.

The company and the Department of Environmental Protection were working to determine how much condensate spilled into Little Grave Creek from the 4-inch pipeline.