Williams said the individuals did not enter the Carlstadt facility and the incident caused no disruption to natural gas operations.
CARLSTADT, NJ — Local, county and federal authorities are investigating an apparent attempt to gain unauthorized access to a restricted natural gas facility in Carlstadt early Wednesday, according to law enforcement and the company that operates the pipeline system.
Personnel working for Williams noticed suspicious activity outside the facility shortly after midnight and contacted local police, according to a company spokesperson. The site is associated with the Transco natural gas pipeline system, a major interstate network that carries gas from the southern United States into the Northeast. Williams said the individuals involved did not enter the facility and that operations were not affected.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remained under investigation Thursday. A source described as closely connected to the Carlstadt Police Department told PIX11 that a person was pulled from a manhole after apparently trying to reach a restricted area. Authorities have not publicly identified those involved or announced criminal charges, and officials have not disclosed a suspected motive.
Carlstadt police confirmed that an investigation was underway but released few additional details. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office said its K-9 unit, bomb squad and crime investigation team responded to the scene at about 3:30 a.m. The involvement of those specialized units did not, by itself, establish that explosives or another specific threat were found.
PIX11 reported that the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration were also involved, citing a source connected to local police. Public statements available Thursday did not provide details about the federal agencies’ roles. No federal agency had publicly announced charges or findings connected to the incident.
The facility is part of the Transco system operated by Williams. Company materials describe Transco as a large interstate natural gas network stretching from Texas and the Gulf Coast through several states before reaching New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area. Williams says the system transports about 15% of the natural gas consumed in the United States.
The scale of the pipeline system gives the investigation broader significance even though Williams reported no operational impact. Transco serves major population centers in the Northeast, and its infrastructure forms part of the region’s natural gas supply network. Authorities had not reported any interruption to service, damage to the system or release of natural gas in connection with Wednesday’s incident.
Investigators also had not publicly explained how many people were involved, whether anyone remained in custody or what investigators believe prompted the apparent attempt to reach the restricted area. No injuries were reported in the information released about the incident.
Authorities had not announced when additional information would be released. The investigation remained active Thursday, with key questions about the identities, intent and possible charges involving those at the scene still unresolved.
Author note: Last updated November 5, 2026.