Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2014-08-17 — LA
Operator
Loop Llc
Cause
Other Accident Cause
Commodity
Crude Oil
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$767,843
Incident datetime
2014-08-17 17:00
Report number
Location
LA
Narrative
During a helicopter flight to the marine terminal on wednesday, august 13, 2014, a loop employee spotted a light sheen along the loop pipeline right-of-way in the gulf of mexico approximately 1.5 miles south of the beach at port fourchon. The sheen was reported to nrc at 13:00 (report no. 1092192) that same day by loop as an unknown source. Loop promptly dispatched resources to the area to investigate the source. Loop notified PHMSA that it had called nrc to report a sheen spotted in the area of the loop right-of-way in the gulf of mexico about a mile off the beach and that it had suspended operation of its main oil line while an investigation was conducted to determine if there was a problem with the pipeline. The investigation continued over a four day period. On sunday, august 17, 2014, it was determined that the source of the sheen was a 2.2 inch longitudinal crack across the weld between two joints of pipe on the loop main oil line. The line was officially shutdown for repair. Based upon the condition of the concrete on the pipe in the area of the crack, it was determined that the most likely cause of the crack was third party damage. Loop notified PHMSA that evening of the results of the investigation. In a discussion with PHMSA on monday, august 18, 2014, loop was advised that a second report to nrc was required by the agency in order for the accident to be logged into the PHMSA system. Loop made a second report to nrc at 12:10 on monday, august 18, 2014 (report no. 1092665). Once the leak source was identified, loop immediately commenced repair operations. The repair plan entailed the following: removing a portion of the concrete cover from the two joints of pipe; removing the shrink sleeve from the weld joint; drilling a 0.5 inch hole at either end of the crack to minimize the potential for propagation; and, installing a plidco clamp over the crack area. The repair was completed and the pipeline was returned to full service on thursday, august 21, 2014. Loop had a vessel with oil spill response equipment on board standing by at the work site throughout the investigation and repair period. As indicated above, based upon the condition of the concrete on the pipe in the area of the crack, it appeared the most likely cause of the crack was third party damage. Although there was no way to determine when the damage could have occurred, loop researched la one call records for any notifications made for the area in and around the pipeline for 30 to 60 days prior to incident. Loop also followed with port vision for a review of their records for vessel activity in the area of the pipeline for 30 to 60 days prior to the incident. A source of the damage could not be identified from these reviews.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2014-09-15 00:00:00
Iyear
2014
Report Number
20140323
Supplemental Number
20853
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
11733
Name
Loop Llc
Operator Street Address
137 Northpark Blvd
Operator City Name
Covington
Operator State Abbreviation
LA
Operator Postal Code
70433
Local Datetime
2014-08-17 17:00:00
Location Latitude
29.119939
Location Longitude
-90.132573
Commodity Released Type
Crude Oil
Unintentional Release Bbls
0.1
Recovered Bbls
0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Air Patrol
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Incident Identified Datetime
2014-08-17 17:00:00
System Part Involved
Offshore Pipeline, Including Riser And Riser Bend
On Off Shore
Offshore
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2014-08-17 17:00:00
Restart Datetime
2014-08-21 23:00:00
On Site Datetime
2014-08-17 17:00:00
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2014-08-18 12:10:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1092665
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Remotely Controlled
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Remotely Controlled
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Off Water Depth
25
Off Accident Origin
In State Waters
Offshore State Abbreviation
La
Off Instate Area
Bay Marchand1
Off Instate Block
1
Offshore County Name
Lafourche
Off Area Accident Type
Below Water, Pipe Buried Or Jetted Below Seabed
Pipe Facility Type
Interstate
Item Involved
Pipe
Pipe Type
Pipe Body
Pipe Diameter
48
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.5
Pipe Smys
60000
Pipe Specification
Api 5 Lx - 60
Pipe Seam Type
Dsaw
Pipe Manufacturer
United States Steel Corporation
Pipe Coating Type
Other
Pipe Coating Details
3/4in. Symastic Coating & 5in. Concrete On Pipe.heat Shrink Sleeve At Weld Joint
Installation Year
1980
Manufactured Year
1978
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Crack
Wildlife Impact Ind
No
Soil Contamination
No
Long Term Assessment
No
Remediation Ind
No
Water Contam Ind
Yes
Ocean Seawater Ind
Yes
Amount Released
0.1
Rel Water Name
Gulf Of Mexico
Could Be Hca
Yes
Commodity Reached Hca
No
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Gas Released
1
Est Cost Prop Damage
767843
Est Cost Emergency
0
Est Cost Environmental
0
Est Cost Other
0
Prpty
767844
Accident Psig
450
Mop Psig
720
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Length Segment Isolated
95040
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
No
Scada Conf Ind
No
Cpm In Place Ind
Yes
Cpm Operating Ind
Yes
Cpm Functional Ind
Yes
Cpm Detection Ind
No
Cpm Conf 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 type and location of the potential problem.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Other Accident Cause
Cause Details
Unknown
Other Type
Unknown
Unknown Subtype
Investigation Complete, Cause Of Accident Unknown
Preparer Name
C****** A* G**************
Preparer Title
Manager Regulatory Affairs
Preparer Email
C********@l******.com
Preparer Telephone
985-276-6299
Preparer Fax
985-276-6290
Prepared Date
2015-10-27 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
M***** B* W****
Authorizer Telephone
985-276-6217
Authorizer Title
Vice President Operations
Authorizer Email
M******@l******.com
Narrative
During a helicopter flight to the marine terminal on wednesday, august 13, 2014, a loop employee spotted a light sheen along the loop pipeline right-of-way in the gulf of mexico approximately 1.5 miles south of the beach at port fourchon. The sheen was reported to nrc at 13:00 (report no. 1092192) that same day by loop as an unknown source. Loop promptly dispatched resources to the area to investigate the source. Loop notified PHMSA that it had called nrc to report a sheen spotted in the area of the loop right-of-way in the gulf of mexico about a mile off the beach and that it had suspended operation of its main oil line while an investigation was conducted to determine if there was a problem with the pipeline. The investigation continued over a four day period. On sunday, august 17, 2014, it was determined that the source of the sheen was a 2.2 inch longitudinal crack across the weld between two joints of pipe on the loop main oil line. The line was officially shutdown for repair. Based upon the condition of the concrete on the pipe in the area of the crack, it was determined that the most likely cause of the crack was third party damage. Loop notified PHMSA that evening of the results of the investigation. In a discussion with PHMSA on monday, august 18, 2014, loop was advised that a second report to nrc was required by the agency in order for the accident to be logged into the PHMSA system. Loop made a second report to nrc at 12:10 on monday, august 18, 2014 (report no. 1092665). Once the leak source was identified, loop immediately commenced repair operations. The repair plan entailed the following: removing a portion of the concrete cover from the two joints of pipe; removing the shrink sleeve from the weld joint; drilling a 0.5 inch hole at either end of the crack to minimize the potential for propagation; and, installing a plidco clamp over the crack area. The repair was completed and the pipeline was returned to full service on thursday, august 21, 2014. Loop had a vessel with oil spill response equipment on board standing by at the work site throughout the investigation and repair period. As indicated above, based upon the condition of the concrete on the pipe in the area of the crack, it appeared the most likely cause of the crack was third party damage. Although there was no way to determine when the damage could have occurred, loop researched la one call records for any notifications made for the area in and around the pipeline for 30 to 60 days prior to incident. Loop also followed with port vision for a review of their records for vessel activity in the area of the pipeline for 30 to 60 days prior to the incident. A source of the damage could not be identified from these reviews.
| Report Received Date | 2014-09-15 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2014 |
| Report Number | 20140323 |
| Supplemental Number | 20853 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 11733 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Loop Llc |
| Operator Street Address | 137 Northpark Blvd |
| Operator City Name | Covington |
| Operator State Abbreviation | LA |
| Operator Postal Code | 70433 |
| Local Datetime | 2014-08-17 17:00:00 |
| Location Latitude | 29.119939 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -90.132573 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Crude Oil |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 0.1 |
| Recovered Bbls | 0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Air Patrol |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2014-08-17 17:00:00 |
| System Part Involved | Offshore Pipeline, Including Riser And Riser Bend |
| On Off Shore | Offshore |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2014-08-17 17:00:00 |
| Restart Datetime | 2014-08-21 23:00:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2014-08-17 17:00:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2014-08-18 12:10:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1092665 NRC Report How to search |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Upstream Valve Type Ind | Remotely Controlled |
| Downstream Valve Type Ind | Remotely Controlled |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Off Water Depth | 25 |
| Off Accident Origin | In State Waters |
| Offshore State Abbreviation | La |
| Off Instate Area | Bay Marchand1 |
| Off Instate Block | 1 |
| Offshore County Name | Lafourche |
| Off Area Accident Type | Below Water, Pipe Buried Or Jetted Below Seabed |
| Pipe Facility Type | Interstate |
| Item Involved | Pipe |
| Pipe Type | Pipe Body |
| Pipe Diameter | 48 |
| Pipe Wall Thickness | 0.5 |
| Pipe Smys | 60000 |
| Pipe Specification | Api 5 Lx - 60 |
| Pipe Seam Type | Dsaw |
| Pipe Manufacturer | United States Steel Corporation |
| Pipe Coating Type | Other |
| Pipe Coating Details | 3/4in. Symastic Coating & 5in. Concrete On Pipe.heat Shrink Sleeve At Weld Joint |
| Installation Year | 1980 |
| Manufactured Year | 1978 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Crack |
| Wildlife Impact Ind | No |
| Soil Contamination | No |
| Long Term Assessment | No |
| Remediation Ind | No |
| Water Contam Ind | Yes |
| Ocean Seawater Ind | Yes |
| Amount Released | 0.1 |
| Rel Water Name | Gulf Of Mexico |
| Could Be Hca | Yes |
| Commodity Reached Hca | No |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Gas Released | 1 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 767843 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 0 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Prpty | 767844 |
| Accident Psig | 450 |
| Mop Psig | 720 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Length Segment Isolated | 95040 |
| 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 | No |
| Scada Conf Ind | No |
| Cpm In Place Ind | Yes |
| Cpm Operating Ind | Yes |
| Cpm Functional Ind | Yes |
| Cpm Detection Ind | No |
| Cpm Conf 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 type and location of the potential problem. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Other Accident Cause |
| Cause Details | Unknown |
| Other Type | Unknown |
| Unknown Subtype | Investigation Complete, Cause Of Accident Unknown |
| Preparer Name | C****** A* G************** |
| Preparer Title | Manager Regulatory Affairs |
| Preparer Email | C********@l******.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 985-276-6299 |
| Preparer Fax | 985-276-6290 |
| Prepared Date | 2015-10-27 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | M***** B* W**** |
| Authorizer Telephone | 985-276-6217 |
| Authorizer Title | Vice President Operations |
| Authorizer Email | M******@l******.com |
| Narrative | During a helicopter flight to the marine terminal on wednesday, august 13, 2014, a loop employee spotted a light sheen along the loop pipeline right-of-way in the gulf of mexico approximately 1.5 miles south of the beach at port fourchon. The sheen was reported to nrc at 13:00 (report no. 1092192) that same day by loop as an unknown source. Loop promptly dispatched resources to the area to investigate the source. Loop notified PHMSA that it had called nrc to report a sheen spotted in the area of the loop right-of-way in the gulf of mexico about a mile off the beach and that it had suspended operation of its main oil line while an investigation was conducted to determine if there was a problem with the pipeline. The investigation continued over a four day period. On sunday, august 17, 2014, it was determined that the source of the sheen was a 2.2 inch longitudinal crack across the weld between two joints of pipe on the loop main oil line. The line was officially shutdown for repair. Based upon the condition of the concrete on the pipe in the area of the crack, it was determined that the most likely cause of the crack was third party damage. Loop notified PHMSA that evening of the results of the investigation. In a discussion with PHMSA on monday, august 18, 2014, loop was advised that a second report to nrc was required by the agency in order for the accident to be logged into the PHMSA system. Loop made a second report to nrc at 12:10 on monday, august 18, 2014 (report no. 1092665). Once the leak source was identified, loop immediately commenced repair operations. The repair plan entailed the following: removing a portion of the concrete cover from the two joints of pipe; removing the shrink sleeve from the weld joint; drilling a 0.5 inch hole at either end of the crack to minimize the potential for propagation; and, installing a plidco clamp over the crack area. The repair was completed and the pipeline was returned to full service on thursday, august 21, 2014. Loop had a vessel with oil spill response equipment on board standing by at the work site throughout the investigation and repair period. As indicated above, based upon the condition of the concrete on the pipe in the area of the crack, it appeared the most likely cause of the crack was third party damage. Although there was no way to determine when the damage could have occurred, loop researched la one call records for any notifications made for the area in and around the pipeline for 30 to 60 days prior to incident. Loop also followed with port vision for a review of their records for vessel activity in the area of the pipeline for 30 to 60 days prior to the incident. A source of the damage could not be identified from these reviews. |
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