Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2016-09-10 — TX
Operator
Sunoco Pipeline L.p.
Cause
Corrosion Failure
Commodity
Crude Oil
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$513,000
Incident datetime
2016-09-10 17:15
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
Beginning on the morning of august 29, 2016 the control center began investigating line imbalance indications identified via over/short calculations. Until the discovery of the release on september 10, 2016 numerous methods were employed to determine the cause(s) of the imbalance. At no time during the investigation process did the imbalance exceed established normal operating tolerances. The over/short calculations were reviewed alongside cpm data to assess alignment between what the two methods were reporting. Cpm was not yet fully functional and was being run in parallel with normal hourly over/short line balance calculations. During the timeframe between august 29 and september 10 the line was patrolled numerous times via aerial, walking, driving and combinations of these methods. Additionally, meters were checked for accuracy and function with issues identified on september 3 and 6 that required repairs. Tank to tank line balance calculations were also employed. On september 2 a static pressure test was carried out but the results did not identify a leak condition. On the evening of september 9 a second static pressure test was initiated. This test was terminated at 13:16 on september 10 when indications pointed to a suspected release. Patrol of the pipeline continued that day until the discovery of the release via ground patrol at approximately 17:15. Subsequent to discovery the line was excavated and a through wall failure was observed at the 6 o'clock position. The failed pipe was cut out and replaced. Line was restarted on september 23, 2016 under a PHMSA required 20% reduction in operating pressure. Metallurgical analysis of the failed pipe concluded that the cause of the through wall leak was external pitting/corrosion located at the 6 o'clock orientation, adjacent to a girth weld, at a single pit. The primary contributing factor to the corrosion rate was dc stray current interference from an adjacent pipeline. All contaminated soil has been removed for proper disposal or remediated on site. Phmsa issued a corrective action order (cao) in response to this accident (cpf 4-2016-5030h). A root cause failure analysis (rcfa) was conducted and identified recommendations for improvement to pre construction assessments and control room procedures. Actions to address these recommendations and the root cause of the accident will be carried out under the PHMSA issued cao.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2016-10-10 00:00:00
Iyear
2016
Report Number
20160325
Supplemental Number
22497
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
18718
Name
Sunoco Pipeline L.p.
Operator Street Address
1300 Main Street
Operator City Name
Houston
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77002
Local Datetime
2016-08-29 02:00:00
Location Latitude
32.45279
Location Longitude
-100.35862
Commodity Released Type
Crude Oil
Unintentional Release Bbls
8600
Recovered Bbls
2000
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Ground Patrol By Operator Or Its Contractor
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Incident Identified Datetime
2016-09-10 17:15:00
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
On Off Shore
Onshore
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2016-09-10 13:16:00
Restart Datetime
2016-09-23 07:45:00
On Site Datetime
2016-09-10 17:15:00
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2016-09-10 19:16:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1158671
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Remotely Controlled
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
Permian Express Ii
Segment Name
23018-24" Colorado City To Corsicana
Onshore State Abbreviation
Tx
Onshore Postal Code
79556
Onshore City Name
Sweetwater
Onshore County Name
Nolan
Designated Location
Survey Station No.
Designated Name
1595+44
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Depth Of Cover
54
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Interstate
Item Involved
Pipe
Pipe Type
Pipe Body
Pipe Diameter
24
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.406
Pipe Smys
65000
Pipe Specification
Api 5l
Pipe Seam Type
Erw - High Frequency
Pipe Manufacturer
Stupp
Pipe Coating Type
Fusion Bonded Epoxy(Fbe)
Installation Year
2015
Manufactured Year
2014
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Pinhole
Wildlife Impact Ind
No
Soil Contamination
Yes
Long Term Assessment
No
Remediation Ind
Yes
Soil Remed Ind
Yes
Water Contam Ind
No
Could Be Hca
Yes
Commodity Reached Hca
No
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Gas Released
354900
Est Cost Prop Damage
513000
Est Cost Emergency
750000
Est Cost Environmental
2400000
Est Cost Other
0
Prpty
4017900
Accident Psig
1060
Mop Psig
1480
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Length Segment Isolated
67056
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
No
Cpm Detection Ind
No
Cpm Conf Ind
No
Investigation Status
Yes, specify investigation result(s): (select all that apply)
Invest Schedule Ind
Yes
Invest Incorrect Procedure Ind
Yes
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Corrosion Failure
Cause Details
External Corrosion
Internal External
External Corrosion
Visual Exam Results
Localized Pitting
Stray Current Corrosion Ind
Yes
Field Exam Basis Ind
Yes
Metallurgical Basis Ind
Yes
Underground Location
Yes
Under Cathodic Protection Ind
Yes
Cathodic Pro Start Year
2016
Shielding Evident
No
Cathodic Survey Type
Yes
Close Interval Survey Ind
Yes
Close Interval Survey Year
2016
Prior Damage
Yes
Collected Data Ind
Yes
Geometry Recent Year
2015
Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind
No
Direct Asmnt Conducted
No
Non Destructive Exam Ind
No
Preparer Name
T*** G* N*******
Preparer Title
Sr. Manager Dot Compliance
Preparer Email
T************@e*************.com
Preparer Telephone
281-637-6576
Preparer Fax
877-917-0448
Prepared Date
2017-07-24 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
T*** G* N*******
Authorizer Telephone
281-637-6576
Authorizer Title
Sr. Manager Dot Compliance
Authorizer Email
T************@e*************.com
Narrative
Beginning on the morning of august 29, 2016 the control center began investigating line imbalance indications identified via over/short calculations. Until the discovery of the release on september 10, 2016 numerous methods were employed to determine the cause(s) of the imbalance. At no time during the investigation process did the imbalance exceed established normal operating tolerances. The over/short calculations were reviewed alongside cpm data to assess alignment between what the two methods were reporting. Cpm was not yet fully functional and was being run in parallel with normal hourly over/short line balance calculations. During the timeframe between august 29 and september 10 the line was patrolled numerous times via aerial, walking, driving and combinations of these methods. Additionally, meters were checked for accuracy and function with issues identified on september 3 and 6 that required repairs. Tank to tank line balance calculations were also employed. On september 2 a static pressure test was carried out but the results did not identify a leak condition. On the evening of september 9 a second static pressure test was initiated. This test was terminated at 13:16 on september 10 when indications pointed to a suspected release. Patrol of the pipeline continued that day until the discovery of the release via ground patrol at approximately 17:15. Subsequent to discovery the line was excavated and a through wall failure was observed at the 6 o'clock position. The failed pipe was cut out and replaced. Line was restarted on september 23, 2016 under a PHMSA required 20% reduction in operating pressure. Metallurgical analysis of the failed pipe concluded that the cause of the through wall leak was external pitting/corrosion located at the 6 o'clock orientation, adjacent to a girth weld, at a single pit. The primary contributing factor to the corrosion rate was dc stray current interference from an adjacent pipeline. All contaminated soil has been removed for proper disposal or remediated on site. Phmsa issued a corrective action order (cao) in response to this accident (cpf 4-2016-5030h). A root cause failure analysis (rcfa) was conducted and identified recommendations for improvement to pre construction assessments and control room procedures. Actions to address these recommendations and the root cause of the accident will be carried out under the PHMSA issued cao.
| Report Received Date | 2016-10-10 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2016 |
| Report Number | 20160325 |
| Supplemental Number | 22497 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 18718 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Sunoco Pipeline L.p. |
| Operator Street Address | 1300 Main Street |
| Operator City Name | Houston |
| Operator State Abbreviation | TX |
| Operator Postal Code | 77002 |
| Local Datetime | 2016-08-29 02:00:00 |
| Location Latitude | 32.45279 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -100.35862 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Crude Oil |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 8600 |
| Recovered Bbls | 2000 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Ground Patrol By Operator Or Its Contractor |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2016-09-10 17:15:00 |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2016-09-10 13:16:00 |
| Restart Datetime | 2016-09-23 07:45:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2016-09-10 17:15:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2016-09-10 19:16:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1158671 NRC Report How to search |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Upstream Valve Type Ind | Remotely Controlled |
| Downstream Valve Type Ind | Manual |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Pipe Fac Name | Permian Express Ii |
| Segment Name | 23018-24" Colorado City To Corsicana |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Tx |
| Onshore Postal Code | 79556 |
| Onshore City Name | Sweetwater |
| Onshore County Name | Nolan |
| Designated Location | Survey Station No. |
| Designated Name | 1595+44 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Soil |
| Depth Of Cover | 54 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Interstate |
| Item Involved | Pipe |
| Pipe Type | Pipe Body |
| Pipe Diameter | 24 |
| Pipe Wall Thickness | 0.406 |
| Pipe Smys | 65000 |
| Pipe Specification | Api 5l |
| Pipe Seam Type | Erw - High Frequency |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Stupp |
| Pipe Coating Type | Fusion Bonded Epoxy(Fbe) |
| Installation Year | 2015 |
| Manufactured Year | 2014 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Pinhole |
| Wildlife Impact Ind | No |
| Soil Contamination | Yes |
| Long Term Assessment | No |
| Remediation Ind | Yes |
| Soil Remed Ind | Yes |
| Water Contam Ind | No |
| Could Be Hca | Yes |
| Commodity Reached Hca | No |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Gas Released | 354900 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 513000 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 750000 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 2400000 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Prpty | 4017900 |
| Accident Psig | 1060 |
| Mop Psig | 1480 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Length Segment Isolated | 67056 |
| 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 | No |
| Cpm Detection Ind | No |
| Cpm Conf Ind | No |
| Investigation Status | Yes, specify investigation result(s): (select all that apply) |
| Invest Schedule Ind | Yes |
| Invest Incorrect Procedure Ind | Yes |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Corrosion Failure |
| Cause Details | External Corrosion |
| Internal External | External Corrosion |
| Visual Exam Results | Localized Pitting |
| Stray Current Corrosion Ind | Yes |
| Field Exam Basis Ind | Yes |
| Metallurgical Basis Ind | Yes |
| Underground Location | Yes |
| Under Cathodic Protection Ind | Yes |
| Cathodic Pro Start Year | 2016 |
| Shielding Evident | No |
| Cathodic Survey Type | Yes |
| Close Interval Survey Ind | Yes |
| Close Interval Survey Year | 2016 |
| Prior Damage | Yes |
| Collected Data Ind | Yes |
| Geometry Recent Year | 2015 |
| Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind | No |
| Direct Asmnt Conducted | No |
| Non Destructive Exam Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | T*** G* N******* |
| Preparer Title | Sr. Manager Dot Compliance |
| Preparer Email | T************@e*************.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 281-637-6576 |
| Preparer Fax | 877-917-0448 |
| Prepared Date | 2017-07-24 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | T*** G* N******* |
| Authorizer Telephone | 281-637-6576 |
| Authorizer Title | Sr. Manager Dot Compliance |
| Authorizer Email | T************@e*************.com |
| Narrative | Beginning on the morning of august 29, 2016 the control center began investigating line imbalance indications identified via over/short calculations. Until the discovery of the release on september 10, 2016 numerous methods were employed to determine the cause(s) of the imbalance. At no time during the investigation process did the imbalance exceed established normal operating tolerances. The over/short calculations were reviewed alongside cpm data to assess alignment between what the two methods were reporting. Cpm was not yet fully functional and was being run in parallel with normal hourly over/short line balance calculations. During the timeframe between august 29 and september 10 the line was patrolled numerous times via aerial, walking, driving and combinations of these methods. Additionally, meters were checked for accuracy and function with issues identified on september 3 and 6 that required repairs. Tank to tank line balance calculations were also employed. On september 2 a static pressure test was carried out but the results did not identify a leak condition. On the evening of september 9 a second static pressure test was initiated. This test was terminated at 13:16 on september 10 when indications pointed to a suspected release. Patrol of the pipeline continued that day until the discovery of the release via ground patrol at approximately 17:15. Subsequent to discovery the line was excavated and a through wall failure was observed at the 6 o'clock position. The failed pipe was cut out and replaced. Line was restarted on september 23, 2016 under a PHMSA required 20% reduction in operating pressure. Metallurgical analysis of the failed pipe concluded that the cause of the through wall leak was external pitting/corrosion located at the 6 o'clock orientation, adjacent to a girth weld, at a single pit. The primary contributing factor to the corrosion rate was dc stray current interference from an adjacent pipeline. All contaminated soil has been removed for proper disposal or remediated on site. Phmsa issued a corrective action order (cao) in response to this accident (cpf 4-2016-5030h). A root cause failure analysis (rcfa) was conducted and identified recommendations for improvement to pre construction assessments and control room procedures. Actions to address these recommendations and the root cause of the accident will be carried out under the PHMSA issued cao. |
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