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What are the risks of the gas pipeline? For natural gas pipelines, the greatest risk is associated with fires or explosions caused by ignition of the natural gas, This can cause significant property damage and injuries or death. Still want to live with such gas pipelines snaking underground/near your houses?
Well, Petronas, ‘common’ is not necessary right/wise
KUALA LUMPUR, April 3, 2025: Former Petronas officer Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir says it is common for gas lines to pass through residential areas, as designated buffer zones prevent unauthorised access to the pipeline reserves.
Can we enlighten Syed Zainal that “:common” is not necessary right/wise.
And the issue is not about trespassing. It is about public safety and common sense.
You can say whatever you want about strict safety measures imposed by Petronas, bla, bla, bla but that is all bullshit.
If that is so (safe), why/how did the man-made disaster in Putra Heights happened? If safe, it should not have happened!
And social media posts have posed this question: Wasn’t there an automatic shut off device on the gas pipeline valves? If yes, why was it not working?
So, why is it that Petronas cannot even address or dare not address the question?
Common sense dictates that building houses on/near areas or zones that have gas pipelines snaking underground is a public safety hazard.
So, in the first place, is it even right/wise for the approving authorities and governments to approve housing projects in such hazardous locations?
Are profitable housing projects the priority over public safety?
At least the public now knows it is common (not necessary right/wise) for underground gas pipelines to run under residential houses.
So, can Petronas enlighten the ignorant public/and house owners nationwide the exact locations of the underground gas pipe lines?
It is the right of the public to know this so that they can decide for themselves whether to continue residing in such unsafe dwellings.
Petronas is reminded that they are responsible and accountable should another similar disaster recur. So, release the information to the public who can then decide for themselves if they still want to live with the underground gas pipes
Keep your assurances of safety to yourself. If that is assured then there would not be the Putra Heights disaster, right?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report quoting a former Petronas officer (why not from Petronas?) trying to absolve Petronas from the disaster:
Common for gas pipelines to pass through residential areas, says ex-engineer
-02 Apr 2025, 10:24 PM
Former Petronas officer Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir says the public is not allowed in areas designated as buffer zones to prevent unauthorised access to the pipeline reserves.
Former Petronas project engineer Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir said it is highly unlikely for a gas pipeline to explode on its own, especially given Petronas’s stringent maintenance standards.
PETALING JAYA: A former project engineer for Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) says it is common for gas lines to pass through residential areas, as designated buffer zones prevent unauthorised access to the pipeline reserves.
Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir said the public is not allowed in these areas, he told Bernama.
“As far as I understand, even crossing the zone requires written permission from Petronas, which imposes strict safety conditions,” he said.
Yesterday, a fire, that reached 20 stories high, broke out at the gas pipeline in Putra Heights, engulfing a 500m section of the pipeline, injuring 111 people staying nearby.
A total of 235 premises were affected by the fire, with 87 completely burnt and 148 damaged. A total of 399 vehicles were affected, with 225 burnt and 174 damaged.
Syed Zainal emphasised that it is highly unlikely for a gas pipeline to explode on its own, especially given Petronas’s stringent maintenance standards.
“For a pipeline to rupture on its own is almost impossible. From what I have seen, past explosions in other countries were mainly due to external interference. However, for this particular incident, we do not know the cause yet, and we should let the police conduct their investigation.”
The maintenance of Petronas’s gas pipeline network nationwide adheres to high standards, with the pipelines having a lifespan of over 50 years, he added.
Syed Zainal, who worked on the construction of gas pipelines, including in Putra Heights, between 1988 and 1990, said that throughout his 30-year career, integrity and safety were never taken lightly by Petronas.
“The design, thickness and quality of the pipes are intended for long-term durability because replacing pipelines every 10 years would be extremely costly. That is why their lifespan can reach over 50 years.
“This has been proven in many other countries, provided that interventions, maintenance and periodic inspections are carried out.
“I am confident that Petronas has implemented the highest safety measures in maintaining the gas pipeline network across the country,” he said.
Syed Zainal, who previously served as vice-president of marketing for Petronas’s downstream business and as managing director and CEO of Petronas Dagangan Berhad, noted that the pigging method, which involves cleaning pipelines using specialised equipment, is typically carried out every three to four months.
He added that this method also allows for the inspection and recording of conditions inside the pipeline, such as deformations, blockages and leaks.
“When I was stationed in Segamat, we would conduct monthly aerial inspections using helicopters to check for any soil erosion.”
Syed Zainal, who retired from Petronas in 2020, explained that Malaysia’s gas pipeline network originates in Kerteh, Terengganu, and extends through northern and southern regions, including Johor, Singapore and Kedah, covering 800km.
According to the Malaysian Gas Association web page, an extensive natural gas pipeline network has been established to transport natural gas from the east coast to the demand centres in the west coast.
The backbone of the network is the high-pressure transmission pipeline called the Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) system.
Syed Zainal said Petronas also employs a detection system that allows remote monitoring of any leaks.
“However, if someone were to dig or excavate in the pipeline area, that is something beyond Petronas’s control,” he said.
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