04/04/2025
A few days ago, many friends living in the Puchong/Subang Jaya area heard a loud booming sound. Some of them thought it was thunder, but later, after seeing videos from different angles on Facebook and WhatsApp groups, they realized that it was not just a thunderclap. Initially, people thought it was a fire at a petrol station, but later it was confirmed that it was a natural gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights.
I have some questions:
๐ Does Malaysia have natural gas pipelines?
Aren't our gas supplies delivered in cylinders?
Yes, Malaysia has a large natural gas pipeline network, mainly operated by Petronas Gas Berhad, which supplies natural gas to power stations, industrial users, and residential areas. As for liquefied natural gas (LNG), it is transported by LNG tankers or trucks. So, Malaysia's natural gas is not just delivered in cylinders. Pipelines play a key role in domestic energy supply.
The main role of the natural gas pipeline network is to transport natural gas to domestic consumption points, such as power plants and industrial facilities. LNG exports are typically in the form of liquefied natural gas that is cooled and shipped overseas, rather than directly loaded onto ships from underground pipelines.
๐ Why did the explosion happen?
1) Believe me, our pipelines are very sturdy, but if there is vibration and friction causing sparks, it may ignite the natural gas and lead to an explosion. (Similar to how you can't use your phone at a petrol station.)
2) Ground collapses or landslides, where support points are too far apart, could also cause accidents. (For example, the 2020 incident where the Petronas Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) ruptured due to a landslide.)
3) Other causes.
(Note: For a fire/explosion to occur, three factors are necessary: fuel, ignition, and oxygen. A pipeline explosion usually requires a gas leak, enough oxygen, and an ignition source. Simply "vibration and friction" alone is unlikely to cause an explosion. A more likely scenario would be construction damaging the pipeline, causing a gas leak, which then ignites and causes an explosion.)
๐ How can we stop the fire from spreading?
The relevant authorities can only close the valve, cutting off the supply and waiting for the natural gas to burn out. The fire and rescue department (Bomba) can only assist in evacuating people, saving lives, and putting out the fire, but there's not much more they can do. They can use a spray system, like an umbrella-shaped water curtain, to "cool down" the surrounding buildings and areas by reducing the concentration of gases, preventing secondary explosions.
(Note: Monitoring combustible gas concentration and collaborating with relevant departments like Petronas and DOSH to handle the leak.)
๐ Why are pipelines located in densely populated areas?
In Malaysia, pipelines are constructed based on population density, distance, and safety factors. They are built according to international standards with high levels of professionalism and caution. After all, a dangerous incident is not something to be taken lightly.
Itโs possible that the area was not densely populated when the pipeline was first constructed. As the city develops, formerly low-density areas may become more populated. In such cases, the government and energy companies should conduct risk assessments and implement protective measures (such as safety distances and monitoring systems).
(Note: The construction of natural gas pipelines follows international standards like ASME B31.8 and ISO 13623, considering factors such as land use (residential, industrial areas), pipeline pressure levels, and environmental impact assessments (EIA).)
๐ Who should take responsibility?
When an accident occurs, Petronas (and its subsidiaries) usually doesn't release public statements. Instead, it is the responsibility of the government department in charge of industrial safety, DOSH (Department of Occupational Safety and Health), to provide updates.
(Note: In addition to DOSH, the investigation may involve the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga, ST) and the Department of Environment (DOE).)
Letโs wait for further updates.
Accidents like this are not something anyone wants to see. For residents living nearby, we hope everyone stays safe. For the families of the victims, we hope you can rebuild your homes soon.
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๐ This report was compiled by journalist Yunna Tan, who asked an oil and gas expert and some of his university classmates at UTP to provide answers to the questions in simple, non-technical terms. (Note: I'm not an expert; these are just my personal questions, presented in a way that is easy to understand. Thanks to the helpful netizens for providing more accurate terminology and professional analysis, which are included in the supplementary sections. Everyone should critically analyze and not just accept everything blindly. Let's all contribute to creating a healthy online ecosystem.)
All research by journalist Yunna Tan้้ตไผ Yunna Tan
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