A pipeline owned by Energy Transfer Partners ruptured early Wednesday morning near Sealy, Texas, west of Houston. No one was hurt.

Energy Transfer spokeswoman Vicky Granado said the 36-inch pipeline released natural gas in a rural area. She said company officials don't know what caused the problem.

Granado said the area was evacuated, and 15 to 20 people left their homes. She said everybody was allowed to return by late morning.

Granado said the company shut down that portion of the pipeline and rerouted the natural gas.

Railroad Commission spokeswoman Ramona Nye said the natural-gas regulator was investigating the cause of the rupture. She said the final report would be due in 45 to 60 days.

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