Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2015-05-19 — TX
Operator
Plains Pipeline, L.p.
Cause
Corrosion Failure
Commodity
Crude Oil
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$9,868,173
Incident datetime
2015-05-19 13:27
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
Crude oil was released from a 24-inch pipeline, located along highway 101 in santa barbara county, california. The released crude reached a culvert which leads to the pacific ocean and, as a result, impacted the shoreline and ocean water. The cause of the release is currently under investigation. The pipe has been excavated. The affected portion of pipe was securely packaged to preserve its condition and has been transported to a secure, independent facility for an independent third-party analysis and investigation. A supplemental report will be submitted upon receipt of the third party, metallurgical analysis. In the meantime, plains personnel are actively engaged in cleanup and environmental remediation efforts. Part a. Question 7. - 14:56 is the time operator notified the national response center (nrc). The nrc was first notified at 12:43 by an unrelated third party. Part a. Question 9. - answer is a best-estimate as of 6/17/2015. Part a. Question 11.- response reflects current estimate as of 6/17/2015. The volume of recovered commodity will be revised upward in the supplemental report as more information becomes available. Part a. Question 17. -the number of people evacuated from local state park campsites is currently undetermined as no estimates are included in the initial first responder reports we have received. We are investigating this further and will revise the supplemental report as more information becomes available. Part d. Question 8. - answer reflects estimated costs incurred through 6/16/2015. Supplemental narratives: part a, number 11 and part d, number 8 have also been updated to reflect new information as of 7/10/2015. As of 8/4/15 the current estimated release volume remains approx. 2,400 bbls. Preliminary data from the purge activity estimates the release could be potentially 3,400 bbls. While plains believes the volume estimate listed in part a, question 9 best represents the potential discharge volume, we are working with an outside expert to reconcile the differences and will provide additional updates as appropriate. As of 11/24/2015, based on the work performed by our independent third party consultant (I.E. The 'outside expert' mentioned above), our best estimate of the spill volume is 2,934 barrels. The results of the metallurgical analysis of the pipeline segment indicate that the failure occurred at an area of wall thinning from external corrosion that ultimately failed by ductile overload under the imposed operating pressure. The morphology of the external corrosion observed on the pipe section is consistent with corrosion under insulation facilitated by wet-dry cycling. Line 901 remains shut down and subject to corrective action order cpf no. 5-2015-5011h and amendments. Updated costs for the repair and restart of this line remain unknown at this time. As of march 8, 2017, part d, number 5b has been updated from 500 bbls to 598 bbls. Following a detailed investigation into the volume of oil released, exponent, an independent consulting and engineering firm retained by plains, has calculated that 598 barrels of oil from this release reached the pacific ocean and adjoining shorelines. A supplemental report will be filed as necessary should any reported information materially change.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2015-06-17 00:00:00
Iyear
2015
Report Number
20150224
Supplemental Number
22161
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
Name
Plains Pipeline, L.p.
Operator Street Address
333 Clay Street, Suite 1900
Operator City Name
Houston
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77002
Local Datetime
2015-05-19 10:57:00
Location Latitude
34.462434
Location Longitude
-120.086714
Commodity Released Type
Crude Oil
Unintentional Release Bbls
2934
Recovered Bbls
1100
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Incident Identified Datetime
2015-05-19 13:27:00
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
On Off Shore
Onshore
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2015-05-19 11:30:00
Still Shutdown Ind
Yes
On Site Datetime
2015-05-19 13:27:00
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2015-05-19 14:56:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1116972
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Remotely Controlled
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Check Valve
Num Pub Evacuated
1
Pipe Fac Name
Las Flores To Gaviota 24"
Segment Name
Line 901
Onshore State Abbreviation
Ca
Onshore Postal Code
93117
Onshore City Name
Goleta
Onshore County Name
Santa Barbara
Designated Location
Milepost/valve Station
Designated Name
4
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Depth Of Cover
56
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Interstate
Item Involved
Pipe
Pipe Type
Pipe Body
Pipe Diameter
24
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.344
Pipe Smys
65000
Pipe Specification
X-65
Pipe Seam Type
Erw - High Frequency
Pipe Manufacturer
Nippon Steel
Pipe Coating Type
Coal Tar
Installation Year
1990
Manufactured Year
1986
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Other
Leak Type Other
Narrow Slit Opening.
Wildlife Impact Ind
Yes
Fish Aquatic Impact Ind
Yes
Birds Impact Ind
Yes
Terrestrial Impact Ind
Yes
Soil Contamination
Yes
Long Term Assessment
Yes
Remediation Ind
Yes
Surface Water Remed Ind
Yes
Soil Remed Ind
Yes
Vegetation Remed Ind
Yes
Wildlife Remed Ind
Yes
Water Contam Ind
Yes
Ocean Seawater Ind
Yes
Surface Contam Ind
Yes
Amount Released
598
Rel Water Name
Pacific Ocean.
Could Be Hca
Yes
Commodity Reached Hca
Yes
Commercially Nav Ind
Yes
Commercially Nav Yes No
Yes
Usa Ecological Ind
Yes
Usa Ecological Yes No
Yes
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Gas Released
144000
Est Cost Prop Damage
9868173
Est Cost Emergency
90701042
Est Cost Environmental
22421933
Est Cost Other
19796736
Est Cost Other Details
Goverment Agency Costs And Media Relations.
Prpty
142931884
Accident Psig
750
Mop Psig
1056
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Length Segment Isolated
56752
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
Yes
Cpm Operating Ind
Yes
Cpm Functional Ind
Yes
Cpm Detection Ind
No
Cpm Conf Ind
No
Investigation Status
Yes, specify investigation result(s): (select all that apply)
Invest Schedule Ind
Yes
Invest No Control Room Ind
Yes
Invest No Controller Ind
Yes
Invest Maint Ind
Yes
Invest Other Ind
Yes
Invest Other Ind Details
Investigation Identified That A Minor Procedure Was Not Followed. This Failure Was Not A Cause Of Or Contributing Factor To The Accident. Additional Training On This Procedure Has Been Provided.
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Num Employees Tested
1
Num Employees Failed
0
Cause
Corrosion Failure
Cause Details
External Corrosion
Internal External
External Corrosion
Visual Exam Results
Other
Visual Exam Details
Corrosion Under Insulation.
Other Corrosion Ind
Yes
Corrosion Type Details
Corrosion Under Insulation.
Metallurgical Basis Ind
Yes
Underground Location
Yes
Under Cathodic Protection Ind
Yes
Cathodic Pro Start Year
1990
Shielding Evident
Yes
Cathodic Survey Type
Yes
Cp Annual Survey Ind
Yes
Close Interval Survey Ind
Yes
Cp Annual Survey Year
2015
Close Interval Survey Year
2015
Prior Damage
Yes
Collected Data Ind
Yes
Axial Magnetic Flx Lkg Ind
Yes
Axial Recent Year
2015
Geometry Recent Year
2015
Other Recent Year
2015
Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind
No
Direct Asmnt Conducted
No
Non Destructive Exam Ind
No
Preparer Name
C******* C*****
Preparer Title
Compliance Specialist
Preparer Email
C*******@p****.com
Preparer Telephone
713-993-5080
Preparer Fax
713-646-4310
Prepared Date
2017-03-08 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
T*** E V*********
Authorizer Telephone
713-646-4614
Authorizer Title
Vp Of Environmental Health And Safety
Authorizer Email
T***********@p****.com
Narrative
Crude oil was released from a 24-inch pipeline, located along highway 101 in santa barbara county, california. The released crude reached a culvert which leads to the pacific ocean and, as a result, impacted the shoreline and ocean water. The cause of the release is currently under investigation. The pipe has been excavated. The affected portion of pipe was securely packaged to preserve its condition and has been transported to a secure, independent facility for an independent third-party analysis and investigation. A supplemental report will be submitted upon receipt of the third party, metallurgical analysis. In the meantime, plains personnel are actively engaged in cleanup and environmental remediation efforts. Part a. Question 7. - 14:56 is the time operator notified the national response center (nrc). The nrc was first notified at 12:43 by an unrelated third party. Part a. Question 9. - answer is a best-estimate as of 6/17/2015. Part a. Question 11.- response reflects current estimate as of 6/17/2015. The volume of recovered commodity will be revised upward in the supplemental report as more information becomes available. Part a. Question 17. -the number of people evacuated from local state park campsites is currently undetermined as no estimates are included in the initial first responder reports we have received. We are investigating this further and will revise the supplemental report as more information becomes available. Part d. Question 8. - answer reflects estimated costs incurred through 6/16/2015. Supplemental narratives: part a, number 11 and part d, number 8 have also been updated to reflect new information as of 7/10/2015. As of 8/4/15 the current estimated release volume remains approx. 2,400 bbls. Preliminary data from the purge activity estimates the release could be potentially 3,400 bbls. While plains believes the volume estimate listed in part a, question 9 best represents the potential discharge volume, we are working with an outside expert to reconcile the differences and will provide additional updates as appropriate. As of 11/24/2015, based on the work performed by our independent third party consultant (I.E. The 'outside expert' mentioned above), our best estimate of the spill volume is 2,934 barrels. The results of the metallurgical analysis of the pipeline segment indicate that the failure occurred at an area of wall thinning from external corrosion that ultimately failed by ductile overload under the imposed operating pressure. The morphology of the external corrosion observed on the pipe section is consistent with corrosion under insulation facilitated by wet-dry cycling. Line 901 remains shut down and subject to corrective action order cpf no. 5-2015-5011h and amendments. Updated costs for the repair and restart of this line remain unknown at this time. As of march 8, 2017, part d, number 5b has been updated from 500 bbls to 598 bbls. Following a detailed investigation into the volume of oil released, exponent, an independent consulting and engineering firm retained by plains, has calculated that 598 barrels of oil from this release reached the pacific ocean and adjoining shorelines. A supplemental report will be filed as necessary should any reported information materially change.
| Report Received Date | 2015-06-17 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2015 |
| Report Number | 20150224 |
| Supplemental Number | 22161 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 300 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Plains Pipeline, L.p. |
| Operator Street Address | 333 Clay Street, Suite 1900 |
| Operator City Name | Houston |
| Operator State Abbreviation | TX |
| Operator Postal Code | 77002 |
| Local Datetime | 2015-05-19 10:57:00 |
| Location Latitude | 34.462434 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -120.086714 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Crude Oil |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 2934 |
| Recovered Bbls | 1100 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2015-05-19 13:27:00 |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2015-05-19 11:30:00 |
| Still Shutdown Ind | Yes |
| On Site Datetime | 2015-05-19 13:27:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2015-05-19 14:56:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1116972 NRC Report How to search |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Upstream Valve Type Ind | Remotely Controlled |
| Downstream Valve Type Ind | Check Valve |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 1 |
| Pipe Fac Name | Las Flores To Gaviota 24" |
| Segment Name | Line 901 |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Ca |
| Onshore Postal Code | 93117 |
| Onshore City Name | Goleta |
| Onshore County Name | Santa Barbara |
| Designated Location | Milepost/valve Station |
| Designated Name | 4 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Soil |
| Depth Of Cover | 56 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Interstate |
| Item Involved | Pipe |
| Pipe Type | Pipe Body |
| Pipe Diameter | 24 |
| Pipe Wall Thickness | 0.344 |
| Pipe Smys | 65000 |
| Pipe Specification | X-65 |
| Pipe Seam Type | Erw - High Frequency |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Nippon Steel |
| Pipe Coating Type | Coal Tar |
| Installation Year | 1990 |
| Manufactured Year | 1986 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Other |
| Leak Type Other | Narrow Slit Opening. |
| Wildlife Impact Ind | Yes |
| Fish Aquatic Impact Ind | Yes |
| Birds Impact Ind | Yes |
| Terrestrial Impact Ind | Yes |
| Soil Contamination | Yes |
| Long Term Assessment | Yes |
| Remediation Ind | Yes |
| Surface Water Remed Ind | Yes |
| Soil Remed Ind | Yes |
| Vegetation Remed Ind | Yes |
| Wildlife Remed Ind | Yes |
| Water Contam Ind | Yes |
| Ocean Seawater Ind | Yes |
| Surface Contam Ind | Yes |
| Amount Released | 598 |
| Rel Water Name | Pacific Ocean. |
| Could Be Hca | Yes |
| Commodity Reached Hca | Yes |
| Commercially Nav Ind | Yes |
| Commercially Nav Yes No | Yes |
| Usa Ecological Ind | Yes |
| Usa Ecological Yes No | Yes |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Gas Released | 144000 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 9868173 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 90701042 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 22421933 |
| Est Cost Other | 19796736 |
| Est Cost Other Details | Goverment Agency Costs And Media Relations. |
| Prpty | 142931884 |
| Accident Psig | 750 |
| Mop Psig | 1056 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Length Segment Isolated | 56752 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Cpm Operating Ind | Yes |
| Cpm Functional Ind | Yes |
| Cpm Detection Ind | No |
| Cpm Conf Ind | No |
| Investigation Status | Yes, specify investigation result(s): (select all that apply) |
| Invest Schedule Ind | Yes |
| Invest No Control Room Ind | Yes |
| Invest No Controller Ind | Yes |
| Invest Maint Ind | Yes |
| Invest Other Ind | Yes |
| Invest Other Ind Details | Investigation Identified That A Minor Procedure Was Not Followed. This Failure Was Not A Cause Of Or Contributing Factor To The Accident. Additional Training On This Procedure Has Been Provided. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Num Employees Tested | 1 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Cause | Corrosion Failure |
| Cause Details | External Corrosion |
| Internal External | External Corrosion |
| Visual Exam Results | Other |
| Visual Exam Details | Corrosion Under Insulation. |
| Other Corrosion Ind | Yes |
| Corrosion Type Details | Corrosion Under Insulation. |
| Metallurgical Basis Ind | Yes |
| Underground Location | Yes |
| Under Cathodic Protection Ind | Yes |
| Cathodic Pro Start Year | 1990 |
| Shielding Evident | Yes |
| Cathodic Survey Type | Yes |
| Cp Annual Survey Ind | Yes |
| Close Interval Survey Ind | Yes |
| Cp Annual Survey Year | 2015 |
| Close Interval Survey Year | 2015 |
| Prior Damage | Yes |
| Collected Data Ind | Yes |
| Axial Magnetic Flx Lkg Ind | Yes |
| Axial Recent Year | 2015 |
| Geometry Recent Year | 2015 |
| Other Recent Year | 2015 |
| Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind | No |
| Direct Asmnt Conducted | No |
| Non Destructive Exam Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | C******* C***** |
| Preparer Title | Compliance Specialist |
| Preparer Email | C*******@p****.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 713-993-5080 |
| Preparer Fax | 713-646-4310 |
| Prepared Date | 2017-03-08 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | T*** E V********* |
| Authorizer Telephone | 713-646-4614 |
| Authorizer Title | Vp Of Environmental Health And Safety |
| Authorizer Email | T***********@p****.com |
| Narrative | Crude oil was released from a 24-inch pipeline, located along highway 101 in santa barbara county, california. The released crude reached a culvert which leads to the pacific ocean and, as a result, impacted the shoreline and ocean water. The cause of the release is currently under investigation. The pipe has been excavated. The affected portion of pipe was securely packaged to preserve its condition and has been transported to a secure, independent facility for an independent third-party analysis and investigation. A supplemental report will be submitted upon receipt of the third party, metallurgical analysis. In the meantime, plains personnel are actively engaged in cleanup and environmental remediation efforts. Part a. Question 7. - 14:56 is the time operator notified the national response center (nrc). The nrc was first notified at 12:43 by an unrelated third party. Part a. Question 9. - answer is a best-estimate as of 6/17/2015. Part a. Question 11.- response reflects current estimate as of 6/17/2015. The volume of recovered commodity will be revised upward in the supplemental report as more information becomes available. Part a. Question 17. -the number of people evacuated from local state park campsites is currently undetermined as no estimates are included in the initial first responder reports we have received. We are investigating this further and will revise the supplemental report as more information becomes available. Part d. Question 8. - answer reflects estimated costs incurred through 6/16/2015. Supplemental narratives: part a, number 11 and part d, number 8 have also been updated to reflect new information as of 7/10/2015. As of 8/4/15 the current estimated release volume remains approx. 2,400 bbls. Preliminary data from the purge activity estimates the release could be potentially 3,400 bbls. While plains believes the volume estimate listed in part a, question 9 best represents the potential discharge volume, we are working with an outside expert to reconcile the differences and will provide additional updates as appropriate. As of 11/24/2015, based on the work performed by our independent third party consultant (I.E. The 'outside expert' mentioned above), our best estimate of the spill volume is 2,934 barrels. The results of the metallurgical analysis of the pipeline segment indicate that the failure occurred at an area of wall thinning from external corrosion that ultimately failed by ductile overload under the imposed operating pressure. The morphology of the external corrosion observed on the pipe section is consistent with corrosion under insulation facilitated by wet-dry cycling. Line 901 remains shut down and subject to corrective action order cpf no. 5-2015-5011h and amendments. Updated costs for the repair and restart of this line remain unknown at this time. As of march 8, 2017, part d, number 5b has been updated from 500 bbls to 598 bbls. Following a detailed investigation into the volume of oil released, exponent, an independent consulting and engineering firm retained by plains, has calculated that 598 barrels of oil from this release reached the pacific ocean and adjoining shorelines. A supplemental report will be filed as necessary should any reported information materially change. |
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