Texas Reports Thousands of Pipeline Strikes Amid Gas Leak Concerns
Following a deadly explosion in Dallas, newly analyzed data highlights a broader issue affecting pipeline operators across Texas.
(P&GJ) — More than 4,800 excavation-related pipeline strikes have been reported across Texas so far in 2026, highlighting ongoing risks to natural gas infrastructure and public safety, according to reporting by Texas Public Radio and KERA.
Data from the Texas Railroad Commission shows that damage caused by excavators remains one of the leading sources of natural gas leaks statewide. More than 1,000 of those incidents occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties.
The issue has gained renewed attention following a deadly apartment explosion in Dallas on May 28 that killed three people. While investigators have not determined a cause, initial reports indicate a third-party construction crew may have damaged a nearby natural gas line before the blast. Atmos Energy has stated the crew was not affiliated with the utility.
RELATED: Damaged Gas Pipeline Investigated After Dallas Explosion Kills 3
Texas law requires excavators to contact the state's One-Call Notification Center at least 48 hours before digging so underground utilities can be located and marked. However, Railroad Commission records reviewed by KERA found that many incidents involved excavation work that began without a notification request being submitted. Statewide, roughly one-third of excavators involved in reported pipeline strikes this year had not contacted the system before digging, according to the report.
Even when utility locates are performed, accidental damage can still occur. Industry experts cited by KERA noted that aging infrastructure, incomplete mapping records and the difficulty of locating some non-metallic pipelines can contribute to excavation-related incidents. As reported by Texas Public Radio and KERA, some contractors say utility markings occasionally fail to identify smaller service lines or accurately indicate pipe depth.
Railroad Commission data shows excavation damage has remained elevated in recent years despite ongoing public awareness campaigns and regulatory efforts. The agency continues to emphasize that contractors, developers and homeowners share responsibility for contacting utility location services before any digging begins.
Pipeline safety experts say advances in pipeline mapping, remote sensing and non-destructive detection technologies could help reduce future incidents, though implementation remains uneven across the industry. According to Texas Public Radio and KERA, regulators and industry groups continue to explore additional measures to improve underground infrastructure identification and prevent potentially dangerous gas releases.