Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2018-10-20 — TX
Operator
West Texas Gulf Pipeline Co
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Commodity
Crude Oil
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$85,000
Incident datetime
2018-10-20 16:00
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
Hydrostatic pressure testing project was underway on the colorado city to abilene segment of the west texas gulf pipeline system. On october 13, 2018 the initial pressure test was stopped due to pressure loss. After patrolling the test segment a pinhole from an external corrosion anomaly was discovered at mp 25.1 on october 15, 2018. The area was excavated and a plidco clamp was installed over the pinhole. A small amount of residual product was discovered at this time. The excavation was left open for monitoring of the clamp during subsequent hydrostatic pressure testing activities. During subsequent pressure test activities crews continued to monitor this location and patrol the remainder of the test segment. The area was experiencing heavy rainfall during this time period and a vacuum truck was routinely removing rain water from the open excavation where the clamp was applied. For safety reasons personnel were not permitted to be in the excavation during the subsequent pressure test attempts so the clamp was monitored for leakage from the top of the excavation to the degree possible. This circumstance combined with the constant collection of rainwater in the excavation masked the escape of dyed hydrostatic pressure test water and residual product from what was ultimately discovered to be weeping of the clamp. On october 20th at approximately 16:00 crews determined that the clamp was weeping and that residual product had been released. Due to the presence of residual crude oil and anticipated total costs exceeding $50,000 the nrc was notified on october 20, 2018 (report 1228043) with follow up nrc (report 1228252) also completed. In order for the crew to enter the excavation pressures were reduced to a safe level and the excavation was continually vacuumed to prevent collection of rainwater. Once able to access the clamp the crew loosened the bolts, repositioned the clamp and torqued the bolts back to manufacturer specifications. This activity allowed the clamp to fully seal and hydrostatic pressure test activities resumed ultimately achieving a successful test on october 29, 2018. Total amount of crude oil released was approximately 10 bbls. Released hydrostatic pressure test water and residual crude oil mixture was recovered from the excavation area by vacuum truck and contaminated soil was transported to a company facility for remediation. Due to complexity of the conditions described above and the elapsed time period from initial clamp installation none of the personnel involved with the installation were directed to undergo drug and alcohol testing. There were no indications that the personnel had not followed procedures and instructions for the initial installation of the clamp.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2018-11-19 00:00:00
Iyear
2018
Report Number
20180359
Supplemental Number
31620
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
22442
Name
West Texas Gulf Pipeline Co
Operator Street Address
1300 Main Street
Operator City Name
Houston
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77002
Local Datetime
2018-10-20 14:00:00
Location Latitude
32.439145
Location Longitude
-100.422595
Commodity Released Type
Crude Oil
Unintentional Release Bbls
10
Recovered Bbls
10
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Incident Identified Datetime
2018-10-20 16:00:00
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
On Off Shore
Onshore
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2018-10-10 07:10:00
Restart Datetime
2018-11-01 15:40:00
On Site Datetime
2018-10-20 16:00:00
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2018-10-20 17:18:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1228043
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
Wtg - 26" Colorado City To Wortham
Segment Name
23010.1 - 26" Colorado City To Abilene
Onshore State Abbreviation
Tx
Onshore Postal Code
79556
Onshore City Name
Sweetwater
Onshore County Name
Nolan
Designated Location
Milepost/valve Station
Designated Name
25.1
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Depth Of Cover
38
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Interstate
Item Involved
Repair Sleeve Or Clamp
Installation Year
2018
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Seal Or Packing
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
2500
Est Cost Gas Released
630
Est Cost Prop Damage
85000
Est Cost Emergency
2500
Est Cost Environmental
20000
Est Cost Other
0
Prpty
110630
Accident Psig
388
Mop Psig
750
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Length Segment Isolated
179893
Internal Inspection Ind
Yes
Operation Complications Ind
No
Pipeline Function
> 20% Smys Regulated Transmission
Scada In Place Ind
No
Cpm In Place Ind
No
Investigation Status
No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the accident
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Cause Details
Equipment Not Installed Properly
Operation Type
Equipment Not Installed Properly
Related Other Ind
Yes
Operation Related Details
Company Procedure And Manufacturer Instructions Followed For Installation Of Clamp. Non-Routine Maintenance And Weather Conditions Were Factors. See Narrative For Additional Explanation.
Category Type
Other Maintenance
Operator Qualification Ind
Yes
Qualified Individuals
Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S)
Preparer Name
T*** N*******
Preparer Title
Sr. Manager - Dot Compliance
Preparer Email
T************@e*************.com
Preparer Telephone
713-989-7126
Preparer Fax
877-917-0448
Prepared Date
2019-02-06 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
T*** N*******
Authorizer Telephone
713-989-7126
Authorizer Title
Sr. Manager - Dot Compliance
Authorizer Email
T************@e*************.com
Narrative
Hydrostatic pressure testing project was underway on the colorado city to abilene segment of the west texas gulf pipeline system. On october 13, 2018 the initial pressure test was stopped due to pressure loss. After patrolling the test segment a pinhole from an external corrosion anomaly was discovered at mp 25.1 on october 15, 2018. The area was excavated and a plidco clamp was installed over the pinhole. A small amount of residual product was discovered at this time. The excavation was left open for monitoring of the clamp during subsequent hydrostatic pressure testing activities. During subsequent pressure test activities crews continued to monitor this location and patrol the remainder of the test segment. The area was experiencing heavy rainfall during this time period and a vacuum truck was routinely removing rain water from the open excavation where the clamp was applied. For safety reasons personnel were not permitted to be in the excavation during the subsequent pressure test attempts so the clamp was monitored for leakage from the top of the excavation to the degree possible. This circumstance combined with the constant collection of rainwater in the excavation masked the escape of dyed hydrostatic pressure test water and residual product from what was ultimately discovered to be weeping of the clamp. On october 20th at approximately 16:00 crews determined that the clamp was weeping and that residual product had been released. Due to the presence of residual crude oil and anticipated total costs exceeding $50,000 the nrc was notified on october 20, 2018 (report 1228043) with follow up nrc (report 1228252) also completed. In order for the crew to enter the excavation pressures were reduced to a safe level and the excavation was continually vacuumed to prevent collection of rainwater. Once able to access the clamp the crew loosened the bolts, repositioned the clamp and torqued the bolts back to manufacturer specifications. This activity allowed the clamp to fully seal and hydrostatic pressure test activities resumed ultimately achieving a successful test on october 29, 2018. Total amount of crude oil released was approximately 10 bbls. Released hydrostatic pressure test water and residual crude oil mixture was recovered from the excavation area by vacuum truck and contaminated soil was transported to a company facility for remediation. Due to complexity of the conditions described above and the elapsed time period from initial clamp installation none of the personnel involved with the installation were directed to undergo drug and alcohol testing. There were no indications that the personnel had not followed procedures and instructions for the initial installation of the clamp.
| Report Received Date | 2018-11-19 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2018 |
| Report Number | 20180359 |
| Supplemental Number | 31620 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 22442 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | West Texas Gulf Pipeline Co |
| Operator Street Address | 1300 Main Street |
| Operator City Name | Houston |
| Operator State Abbreviation | TX |
| Operator Postal Code | 77002 |
| Local Datetime | 2018-10-20 14:00:00 |
| Location Latitude | 32.439145 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -100.422595 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Crude Oil |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 10 |
| Recovered Bbls | 10 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2018-10-20 16:00:00 |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2018-10-10 07:10:00 |
| Restart Datetime | 2018-11-01 15:40:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2018-10-20 16:00:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2018-10-20 17:18:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1228043 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 | Wtg - 26" Colorado City To Wortham |
| Segment Name | 23010.1 - 26" Colorado City To Abilene |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Tx |
| Onshore Postal Code | 79556 |
| Onshore City Name | Sweetwater |
| Onshore County Name | Nolan |
| Designated Location | Milepost/valve Station |
| Designated Name | 25.1 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Soil |
| Depth Of Cover | 38 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Interstate |
| Item Involved | Repair Sleeve Or Clamp |
| Installation Year | 2018 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Seal Or Packing |
| 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 | 2500 |
| Est Cost Gas Released | 630 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 85000 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 2500 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 20000 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Prpty | 110630 |
| Accident Psig | 388 |
| Mop Psig | 750 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Length Segment Isolated | 179893 |
| Internal Inspection Ind | Yes |
| Operation Complications Ind | No |
| Pipeline Function | > 20% Smys Regulated Transmission |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Cpm In Place Ind | No |
| Investigation Status | No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the accident |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Incorrect Operation |
| Cause Details | Equipment Not Installed Properly |
| Operation Type | Equipment Not Installed Properly |
| Related Other Ind | Yes |
| Operation Related Details | Company Procedure And Manufacturer Instructions Followed For Installation Of Clamp. Non-Routine Maintenance And Weather Conditions Were Factors. See Narrative For Additional Explanation. |
| Category Type | Other Maintenance |
| Operator Qualification Ind | Yes |
| Qualified Individuals | Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S) |
| Preparer Name | T*** N******* |
| Preparer Title | Sr. Manager - Dot Compliance |
| Preparer Email | T************@e*************.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 713-989-7126 |
| Preparer Fax | 877-917-0448 |
| Prepared Date | 2019-02-06 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | T*** N******* |
| Authorizer Telephone | 713-989-7126 |
| Authorizer Title | Sr. Manager - Dot Compliance |
| Authorizer Email | T************@e*************.com |
| Narrative | Hydrostatic pressure testing project was underway on the colorado city to abilene segment of the west texas gulf pipeline system. On october 13, 2018 the initial pressure test was stopped due to pressure loss. After patrolling the test segment a pinhole from an external corrosion anomaly was discovered at mp 25.1 on october 15, 2018. The area was excavated and a plidco clamp was installed over the pinhole. A small amount of residual product was discovered at this time. The excavation was left open for monitoring of the clamp during subsequent hydrostatic pressure testing activities. During subsequent pressure test activities crews continued to monitor this location and patrol the remainder of the test segment. The area was experiencing heavy rainfall during this time period and a vacuum truck was routinely removing rain water from the open excavation where the clamp was applied. For safety reasons personnel were not permitted to be in the excavation during the subsequent pressure test attempts so the clamp was monitored for leakage from the top of the excavation to the degree possible. This circumstance combined with the constant collection of rainwater in the excavation masked the escape of dyed hydrostatic pressure test water and residual product from what was ultimately discovered to be weeping of the clamp. On october 20th at approximately 16:00 crews determined that the clamp was weeping and that residual product had been released. Due to the presence of residual crude oil and anticipated total costs exceeding $50,000 the nrc was notified on october 20, 2018 (report 1228043) with follow up nrc (report 1228252) also completed. In order for the crew to enter the excavation pressures were reduced to a safe level and the excavation was continually vacuumed to prevent collection of rainwater. Once able to access the clamp the crew loosened the bolts, repositioned the clamp and torqued the bolts back to manufacturer specifications. This activity allowed the clamp to fully seal and hydrostatic pressure test activities resumed ultimately achieving a successful test on october 29, 2018. Total amount of crude oil released was approximately 10 bbls. Released hydrostatic pressure test water and residual crude oil mixture was recovered from the excavation area by vacuum truck and contaminated soil was transported to a company facility for remediation. Due to complexity of the conditions described above and the elapsed time period from initial clamp installation none of the personnel involved with the installation were directed to undergo drug and alcohol testing. There were no indications that the personnel had not followed procedures and instructions for the initial installation of the clamp. |
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