Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2013-09-14 — TX
Operator
Holly Energy Partners - Operating, L.p.
Cause
Natural Force Damage
Commodity
Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$500,000
Incident datetime
2013-09-14 04:30
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
Flash flooding due to unseasonably heavy rains over a 2-day period sent rushing water throughout a rural area where the 6" pipeline is located. During the course of the storms, the pipeline control center noticed a pressure drop on the line which indicated a potential release and immediately began shutdown of the pipeline. The remote valves were closed following the the pressure drop and personnel began attempting to close manual valves upstream and downstream along the pipeline. Due to flood waters and impassable roads however, personnel were unable to determine an exact leak location immediately. Aerial and foot patrols began the following day but weather conditions and continuing high water levels prohibited personnel from locating any damaged pipe or release of product. Personnel to begin traversing the right-of-way once flood waters receded; and on 9/14/2013 the pipeline was found to be exposed from flood. Upon further investigation, the release location was found and it was determined that a rock or other large object hit the pipeline causing a puncture in the pipe. A portable flare was taken to an upstream valve location and the isolated section of line was blown down until the isolated section of pipe was fully evacuated. A clamp was successfully installed at the release location and this section of pipe was subsequently replaced and the line was restarted following final repairs.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2013-10-10 00:00:00
Iyear
2013
Report Number
20130336
Supplemental Number
19358
Report Type
Supplemental
Operator Id
32011
Name
Holly Energy Partners - Operating, L.p.
Operator Street Address
2323 Victory Ave. Suite 1400
Operator City Name
Dallas
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
75219
Local Datetime
2013-09-12 21:45:00
Location Latitude
32.359487
Location Longitude
-105.337417
Commodity Released Type
Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions
Commodity Subtype
Other Hvl
Commodity Details
Isobutane
Unintentional Release Bbls
2491
Recovered Bbls
0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Cpm Leak Detection System Or Scada-Based Information (Such As Alarm(S), Alert(S), Event(S), And/or Volume Calculations)
Incident Identified Datetime
2013-09-14 04:30:00
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
On Off Shore
Onshore
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2013-09-12 21:45:00
Restart Datetime
2013-10-31 06:49:00
On Site Datetime
2013-09-14 04:30:00
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2013-09-14 06:15:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1060213
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
6" El Paso West
Onshore State Abbreviation
Nm
Onshore Postal Code
88344
Onshore City Name
Pinon
Onshore County Name
Otero
Designated Location
Milepost/valve Station
Designated Name
78.5
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Other
Incident Area Details
Exposed Due To Heavy Rainfall
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Interstate
Item Involved
Pipe
Pipe Type
Pipe Body
Pipe Diameter
6.625
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.156
Pipe Smys
42000
Pipe Specification
Erw
Pipe Seam Type
Erw - Low Frequency
Pipe Manufacturer
Southern Pipe
Pipe Coating Type
Other
Pipe Coating Details
Wax
Installation Year
1959
Manufactured Year
1959
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Mechanical Puncture
Puncture Axial
1.5
Puncture Circum
1
Wildlife Impact Ind
No
Soil Contamination
No
Long Term Assessment
No
Remediation Ind
No
Water Contam Ind
No
Could Be Hca
No
Commodity Reached Hca
No
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Gas Released
90596
Est Cost Prop Damage
500000
Est Cost Emergency
0
Est Cost Environmental
0
Est Cost Other
0
Prpty
590596
Accident Psig
373
Mop Psig
1012
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Length Segment Isolated
53328
Internal Inspection Ind
Yes
Operation Complications Ind
No
Pipeline Function
> 20% Smys Regulated Transmission
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
Yes
Scada Conf Ind
Yes
Cpm In Place Ind
No
Investigation Status
No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate)
Investigation Status Details
The release was caused by damage from a large rock due to unseasonable heavy rainfall in the area. The controller recognized a pressure drop and immediately began to take appropriate action to shutdown and isolate the pipeline. There were no signs of controller fatigue and no indications that this incident was as a result of controller error.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Natural Force Damage
Cause Details
Heavy Rains/floods
Natural Force Type
Heavy Rains/floods
Heavy Rains Subtype
Washouts/scouring
Nf Extreme Weather Ind
Yes
Nf Other Ind
Yes
Nf Extreme Weather Details
Unseasonal Heavy Rains In Very Dry Terrain Caused Rushing Water Movement Throughout The Area. The Area Around The Pipeline Was Erroded By The Rain And A Rock Hit The Pipeline Causing The Damage.
Preparer Name
L*** C*******
Preparer Title
Sr. Manager Regulatory Security And Training
Preparer Email
L************@h**********.com
Preparer Telephone
5757484076
Preparer Fax
5757484052
Prepared Date
2014-05-06 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
L*** C*******
Authorizer Telephone
5757484076
Authorizer Title
Sr. Manager Regulatory Security And Training
Authorizer Email
L************@h**********.com
Narrative
Flash flooding due to unseasonably heavy rains over a 2-day period sent rushing water throughout a rural area where the 6" pipeline is located. During the course of the storms, the pipeline control center noticed a pressure drop on the line which indicated a potential release and immediately began shutdown of the pipeline. The remote valves were closed following the the pressure drop and personnel began attempting to close manual valves upstream and downstream along the pipeline. Due to flood waters and impassable roads however, personnel were unable to determine an exact leak location immediately. Aerial and foot patrols began the following day but weather conditions and continuing high water levels prohibited personnel from locating any damaged pipe or release of product. Personnel to begin traversing the right-of-way once flood waters receded; and on 9/14/2013 the pipeline was found to be exposed from flood. Upon further investigation, the release location was found and it was determined that a rock or other large object hit the pipeline causing a puncture in the pipe. A portable flare was taken to an upstream valve location and the isolated section of line was blown down until the isolated section of pipe was fully evacuated. A clamp was successfully installed at the release location and this section of pipe was subsequently replaced and the line was restarted following final repairs.
| Report Received Date | 2013-10-10 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2013 |
| Report Number | 20130336 |
| Supplemental Number | 19358 |
| Report Type | Supplemental |
| Operator Id | 32011 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Holly Energy Partners - Operating, L.p. |
| Operator Street Address | 2323 Victory Ave. Suite 1400 |
| Operator City Name | Dallas |
| Operator State Abbreviation | TX |
| Operator Postal Code | 75219 |
| Local Datetime | 2013-09-12 21:45:00 |
| Location Latitude | 32.359487 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -105.337417 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions |
| Commodity Subtype | Other Hvl |
| Commodity Details | Isobutane |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 2491 |
| Recovered Bbls | 0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Cpm Leak Detection System Or Scada-Based Information (Such As Alarm(S), Alert(S), Event(S), And/or Volume Calculations) |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2013-09-14 04:30:00 |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2013-09-12 21:45:00 |
| Restart Datetime | 2013-10-31 06:49:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2013-09-14 04:30:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2013-09-14 06:15:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1060213 NRC Report How to search |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Upstream Valve Type Ind | Manual |
| Downstream Valve Type Ind | Manual |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Pipe Fac Name | 6" El Paso West |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Nm |
| Onshore Postal Code | 88344 |
| Onshore City Name | Pinon |
| Onshore County Name | Otero |
| Designated Location | Milepost/valve Station |
| Designated Name | 78.5 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Other |
| Incident Area Details | Exposed Due To Heavy Rainfall |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Interstate |
| Item Involved | Pipe |
| Pipe Type | Pipe Body |
| Pipe Diameter | 6.625 |
| Pipe Wall Thickness | 0.156 |
| Pipe Smys | 42000 |
| Pipe Specification | Erw |
| Pipe Seam Type | Erw - Low Frequency |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Southern Pipe |
| Pipe Coating Type | Other |
| Pipe Coating Details | Wax |
| Installation Year | 1959 |
| Manufactured Year | 1959 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Mechanical Puncture |
| Puncture Axial | 1.5 |
| Puncture Circum | 1 |
| Wildlife Impact Ind | No |
| Soil Contamination | No |
| Long Term Assessment | No |
| Remediation Ind | No |
| Water Contam Ind | No |
| Could Be Hca | No |
| Commodity Reached Hca | No |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Gas Released | 90596 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 500000 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 0 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Prpty | 590596 |
| Accident Psig | 373 |
| Mop Psig | 1012 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Length Segment Isolated | 53328 |
| Internal Inspection Ind | Yes |
| Operation Complications Ind | No |
| Pipeline Function | > 20% Smys Regulated Transmission |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | Yes |
| Scada Conf Ind | Yes |
| Cpm In Place Ind | No |
| Investigation Status | No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate) |
| Investigation Status Details | The release was caused by damage from a large rock due to unseasonable heavy rainfall in the area. The controller recognized a pressure drop and immediately began to take appropriate action to shutdown and isolate the pipeline. There were no signs of controller fatigue and no indications that this incident was as a result of controller error. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Natural Force Damage |
| Cause Details | Heavy Rains/floods |
| Natural Force Type | Heavy Rains/floods |
| Heavy Rains Subtype | Washouts/scouring |
| Nf Extreme Weather Ind | Yes |
| Nf Other Ind | Yes |
| Nf Extreme Weather Details | Unseasonal Heavy Rains In Very Dry Terrain Caused Rushing Water Movement Throughout The Area. The Area Around The Pipeline Was Erroded By The Rain And A Rock Hit The Pipeline Causing The Damage. |
| Preparer Name | L*** C******* |
| Preparer Title | Sr. Manager Regulatory Security And Training |
| Preparer Email | L************@h**********.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 5757484076 |
| Preparer Fax | 5757484052 |
| Prepared Date | 2014-05-06 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | L*** C******* |
| Authorizer Telephone | 5757484076 |
| Authorizer Title | Sr. Manager Regulatory Security And Training |
| Authorizer Email | L************@h**********.com |
| Narrative | Flash flooding due to unseasonably heavy rains over a 2-day period sent rushing water throughout a rural area where the 6" pipeline is located. During the course of the storms, the pipeline control center noticed a pressure drop on the line which indicated a potential release and immediately began shutdown of the pipeline. The remote valves were closed following the the pressure drop and personnel began attempting to close manual valves upstream and downstream along the pipeline. Due to flood waters and impassable roads however, personnel were unable to determine an exact leak location immediately. Aerial and foot patrols began the following day but weather conditions and continuing high water levels prohibited personnel from locating any damaged pipe or release of product. Personnel to begin traversing the right-of-way once flood waters receded; and on 9/14/2013 the pipeline was found to be exposed from flood. Upon further investigation, the release location was found and it was determined that a rock or other large object hit the pipeline causing a puncture in the pipe. A portable flare was taken to an upstream valve location and the isolated section of line was blown down until the isolated section of pipe was fully evacuated. A clamp was successfully installed at the release location and this section of pipe was subsequently replaced and the line was restarted following final repairs. |
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