Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2017-11-09 — TX
Operator
Seadrift Pipeline Corp
Cause
Corrosion Failure
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)
$35,384
Incident datetime
2017-11-09 13:45
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
A propane leak was experience from the ella brownsville pipeline. An aerial leak survey reported a potential leak to operations. A pipeline technician was dispatched to validate the potential leak. Upon further investigation by the pipeline technician, an underground leak was discovered. There was no fire, explosion, or loss of property. Upon discovery, the pipeline technician notified the houston control center, and the line segment was isolated. An 8 mile section of line was cleared to a flare in preparation for excavation, analysis and repair of the leak site. Based on the metallurgic report, the primary cause of the through wall corrosion pitting on this section of the ella-brownsville pipe was the failure of the polyken tape coating. The primary corrosion mechanism was an acidic attack facilitated by a high concentration of chlorine from chlorides in soil. Secondary corrosion mechanisms include oxygen corrosion and microbial induced corrosion (mic). The pipeline has been taken out of service.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2017-12-08 00:00:00
Iyear
2017
Report Number
20170405
Supplemental Number
30130
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
26086
Name
Seadrift Pipeline Corp
Operator Street Address
1000 County Road 340
Operator City Name
Angleton
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77515
Local Datetime
2017-11-09 13:45:00
Location Latitude
26.19384694
Location Longitude
-97.43611111
Commodity Released Type
Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions
Commodity Subtype
Lpg (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) / Ngl (Natural Gas Liquid)
Unintentional Release Bbls
0.07
Intentional Release Bbls
13.26
Recovered Bbls
0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Air Patrol
Operator Type
Contractor Working For The Operator
Incident Identified Datetime
2017-11-09 13:45:00
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
On Off Shore
Onshore
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2017-11-09 14:00:00
Restart Datetime
2017-12-05 16:00:00
On Site Datetime
2017-11-09 13:45:00
Nrc Rpt Num
Nrc Notification Not Required
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
Gcpl_ella-Brownsville
Segment Name
Ella Brownsville
Onshore State Abbreviation
Tx
Onshore Postal Code
78566
Onshore City Name
Not Within A Municipality
Onshore County Name
Cameron
Designated Location
Survey Station No.
Designated Name
Stng 83828
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Depth Of Cover
60
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Intrastate
Item Involved
Pipe
Pipe Type
Pipe Body
Pipe Diameter
6
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.25
Pipe Smys
52000
Pipe Specification
X-52
Pipe Seam Type
Seamless
Pipe Manufacturer
Youngsown
Pipe Coating Type
Cold Applied Tape
Installation Year
1961
Manufactured Year
1961
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Pinhole
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
539
Est Cost Prop Damage
35384
Est Cost Emergency
0
Est Cost Environmental
0
Est Cost Other
0
Prpty
35923
Accident Psig
380
Mop Psig
520
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
Yes
Exceed Restriction Ind
No
Phmsa Restriction Ind
Not Mandated
Length Segment Isolated
36673
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
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 leak was due to corrosion, and the low leak rate was not detectable by scada. Controller actions were immediate once leak was identified.
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
Microbiological Corrosion Ind
Yes
Other Corrosion Ind
Yes
Corrosion Type Details
The Primary Corrosion Mechanism Was An Acidic Attack Facilitated By A High Concentration Of Chloride Ions, When Combined With Moisture Will Readily Form Hydrochloric Acid, Which Rapidly Attacks Carbon Steel. Secondary Corrosion Mechanisms Include Oxygen Corrosion And Microbial Induced Corrosion (Mic).
Field Exam Basis Ind
Yes
Metallurgical Basis Ind
Yes
Underground Location
Yes
Under Cathodic Protection Ind
Yes
Cathodic Pro Start Year
1962
Shielding Evident
Yes
Cathodic Survey Type
Yes
Cp Annual Survey Ind
Yes
Cp Annual Survey Year
2017
Prior Damage
Yes
Collected Data Ind
Yes
Axial Magnetic Flx Lkg Ind
Yes
Geometry Deformation Ind
Yes
Axial Recent Year
2017
Geometry Recent Year
2017
Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind
Yes
Hydrtst Most Rcnt Year
1994
Hydrtst Most Rcnt Pressure
2860
Direct Asmnt Conducted
No
Non Destructive Exam Ind
No
Preparer Name
J******* A*******
Preparer Title
Regulatory Compliance Specialist
Preparer Email
J*********@d**.com
Preparer Telephone
979-238-0361
Preparer Fax
979-238-5685
Prepared Date
2018-03-29 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
J******* A*******
Authorizer Telephone
979-238-0361
Authorizer Title
Regulatory Complaince Specialist
Authorizer Email
J*********@d**.com
Narrative
A propane leak was experience from the ella brownsville pipeline. An aerial leak survey reported a potential leak to operations. A pipeline technician was dispatched to validate the potential leak. Upon further investigation by the pipeline technician, an underground leak was discovered. There was no fire, explosion, or loss of property. Upon discovery, the pipeline technician notified the houston control center, and the line segment was isolated. An 8 mile section of line was cleared to a flare in preparation for excavation, analysis and repair of the leak site. Based on the metallurgic report, the primary cause of the through wall corrosion pitting on this section of the ella-brownsville pipe was the failure of the polyken tape coating. The primary corrosion mechanism was an acidic attack facilitated by a high concentration of chlorine from chlorides in soil. Secondary corrosion mechanisms include oxygen corrosion and microbial induced corrosion (mic). The pipeline has been taken out of service.
| Report Received Date | 2017-12-08 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2017 |
| Report Number | 20170405 |
| Supplemental Number | 30130 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 26086 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Seadrift Pipeline Corp |
| Operator Street Address | 1000 County Road 340 |
| Operator City Name | Angleton |
| Operator State Abbreviation | TX |
| Operator Postal Code | 77515 |
| Local Datetime | 2017-11-09 13:45:00 |
| Location Latitude | 26.19384694 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -97.43611111 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions |
| Commodity Subtype | Lpg (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) / Ngl (Natural Gas Liquid) |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 0.07 |
| Intentional Release Bbls | 13.26 |
| Recovered Bbls | 0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Air Patrol |
| Operator Type | Contractor Working For The Operator |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2017-11-09 13:45:00 |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2017-11-09 14:00:00 |
| Restart Datetime | 2017-12-05 16:00:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2017-11-09 13:45:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | Nrc Notification Not Required 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 | Gcpl_ella-Brownsville |
| Segment Name | Ella Brownsville |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Tx |
| Onshore Postal Code | 78566 |
| Onshore City Name | Not Within A Municipality |
| Onshore County Name | Cameron |
| Designated Location | Survey Station No. |
| Designated Name | Stng 83828 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Soil |
| Depth Of Cover | 60 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Intrastate |
| Item Involved | Pipe |
| Pipe Type | Pipe Body |
| Pipe Diameter | 6 |
| Pipe Wall Thickness | 0.25 |
| Pipe Smys | 52000 |
| Pipe Specification | X-52 |
| Pipe Seam Type | Seamless |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Youngsown |
| Pipe Coating Type | Cold Applied Tape |
| Installation Year | 1961 |
| Manufactured Year | 1961 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Pinhole |
| 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 | 539 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 35384 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 0 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Prpty | 35923 |
| Accident Psig | 380 |
| Mop Psig | 520 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | Yes |
| Exceed Restriction Ind | No |
| Phmsa Restriction Ind | Not Mandated |
| Length Segment Isolated | 36673 |
| 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 | 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 leak was due to corrosion, and the low leak rate was not detectable by scada. Controller actions were immediate once leak was identified. |
| 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 |
| Microbiological Corrosion Ind | Yes |
| Other Corrosion Ind | Yes |
| Corrosion Type Details | The Primary Corrosion Mechanism Was An Acidic Attack Facilitated By A High Concentration Of Chloride Ions, When Combined With Moisture Will Readily Form Hydrochloric Acid, Which Rapidly Attacks Carbon Steel. Secondary Corrosion Mechanisms Include Oxygen Corrosion And Microbial Induced Corrosion (Mic). |
| Field Exam Basis Ind | Yes |
| Metallurgical Basis Ind | Yes |
| Underground Location | Yes |
| Under Cathodic Protection Ind | Yes |
| Cathodic Pro Start Year | 1962 |
| Shielding Evident | Yes |
| Cathodic Survey Type | Yes |
| Cp Annual Survey Ind | Yes |
| Cp Annual Survey Year | 2017 |
| Prior Damage | Yes |
| Collected Data Ind | Yes |
| Axial Magnetic Flx Lkg Ind | Yes |
| Geometry Deformation Ind | Yes |
| Axial Recent Year | 2017 |
| Geometry Recent Year | 2017 |
| Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind | Yes |
| Hydrtst Most Rcnt Year | 1994 |
| Hydrtst Most Rcnt Pressure | 2860 |
| Direct Asmnt Conducted | No |
| Non Destructive Exam Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | J******* A******* |
| Preparer Title | Regulatory Compliance Specialist |
| Preparer Email | J*********@d**.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 979-238-0361 |
| Preparer Fax | 979-238-5685 |
| Prepared Date | 2018-03-29 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | J******* A******* |
| Authorizer Telephone | 979-238-0361 |
| Authorizer Title | Regulatory Complaince Specialist |
| Authorizer Email | J*********@d**.com |
| Narrative | A propane leak was experience from the ella brownsville pipeline. An aerial leak survey reported a potential leak to operations. A pipeline technician was dispatched to validate the potential leak. Upon further investigation by the pipeline technician, an underground leak was discovered. There was no fire, explosion, or loss of property. Upon discovery, the pipeline technician notified the houston control center, and the line segment was isolated. An 8 mile section of line was cleared to a flare in preparation for excavation, analysis and repair of the leak site. Based on the metallurgic report, the primary cause of the through wall corrosion pitting on this section of the ella-brownsville pipe was the failure of the polyken tape coating. The primary corrosion mechanism was an acidic attack facilitated by a high concentration of chlorine from chlorides in soil. Secondary corrosion mechanisms include oxygen corrosion and microbial induced corrosion (mic). The pipeline has been taken out of service. |
External Resources
PHMSA pipeline safety insights.
Product
Features
Company
All rights reserved. Copyright © by ClearPHMSA