Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2023-08-08 — OH
Operator
Marathon Pipe Line Llc
Cause
Incorrect Operation
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)
$0
Incident datetime
2023-08-08 00:00 UTC
Report number
Location
OH
Narrative
Incident occurred as part of a procedure to re-fill a segment of the system that was purged and repaired due to a fire (incident id# 20230179-38361). Field personnel began loosening a flange on a 2" blow down valve per procedure and the valve was not holding. This allowed propane to be introduced to the atmosphere in the form of vapor. The procedure did not specify to close/verify closed the 2" blown down, but it was closed because of an obvious need to do so for isolation, and it was determined that the valve was not fully closed/seated and remained 1/16 of an inch open. The procedure was halted and the valve was fully closed and re-packed before proceeding. Supplemental update. Cause has been adjusted to reflect new information that the procedure for this operation did not specify to close/verify closed the valve prior to removal of the blind. Supplemental update #2, the south halls bayou (mp16) block valve is located less than a foot downstream from the blow-down valve that in which the failure occurred. The mp16 valve was opened after isolating the segment in which the release was occurring from the upstream portion of the pipe. Isolation from the upstream segment was achieved by closure of the mp 15 north halls block valve. Opening the mp 16 block valve downstream allowed the product to flow into an empty section of pipe and reduced the pressure to a level that allowed for the injection of grease into the blowdown valve to stop the leak. This method was required due to the formation of ice in the blowdown valve preventing its operation.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2023-08-08 00:00:00
Iyear
2023
Report Number
20230181
Supplemental Number
38690
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
32147
Name
Marathon Pipe Line Llc
Operator Street Address
539 South Main Street
Operator City Name
Findlay
Operator State Abbreviation
OH
Operator Postal Code
45840
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Latitude
29.2671393
Location Longitude
-95.1265417
Commodity Released Type
Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions
Commodity Subtype
Other Hvl
Commodity Details
Propane
Unintentional Release Bbls
0.2
Intentional Release Bbls
0
Recovered Bbls
0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
On Off Shore
Onshore
Status When Identified
Post-Maintenance/repair
Communication State Fed Ind
No
Nrc Rpt Num
Nrc Notification Not Required
Ignite Ind
No
Upstream Action Taken
Valve Closure
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Downstream Action Taken
Operational Control
Downstream Oprtnl Cntrl Detail
Just Downstream Of The Release, The Mp 16 South Halls Bayou Block Valve Was Opened.
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
Galveston Bay To Chocolate Bayou 8" Lpg
Segment Name
Galveston Bay To Chocolate Bayou 8" Lpg
Onshore State Abbreviation
Tx
Onshore Postal Code
77511
Onshore City Name
Not Within A Municipality
Onshore County Name
Brazoria
Designated Location
Milepost
Designated Name
16.2
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Aboveground
Incident Area Subtype
Typical Aboveground Facility Piping Or Appurtenance
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Intrastate
Item Involved
Valve
Valve Type
Auxiliary Or Other Valve
Installation Year
2017
Manufactured Year
2016
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
Valve Was Not Fully Seated. When Flange Was Loosened, Product Was Introduced To The Atmosphere.
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
5
Est Cost Prop Damage
0
Est Cost Emergency
0
Est Cost Environmental
0
Est Cost Other
0
Prpty
5
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0
Num Resident Building Affctd
0
Num Business Building Affctd
0
Accident Psig
862
Mop Psig
2160
Mop Cfr Section
Component Design Pressure �195.406(A)(2)
Maop Established Date
2016-01-01 00:00:00
Maop Reversal Flow Ind
No
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
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
Controller actions had no impact on incident.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Cause Details
Valve Left Or Placed In Wrong Position, But Not Resulting In A Tank, Vessel, Or Sump/separator Overflow Or Facility Overpressure
Operation Type
Valve Left Or Placed In Wrong Position, But Not Resulting In A Tank, Vessel, Or Sump/separator Overflow Or Facility Overpressure
Related Inadequate Proc Ind
Yes
Category Type
Non-Routine Operating Conditions (Abnormal Operations Or Emergencies)
Operator Qualification Ind
Yes
Qualified Individuals
Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S)
Preparer Name
Z*** C*********
Preparer Title
Compliance Specialist
Preparer Email
Z***********@m****************.com
Preparer Telephone
4196726607
Prepared Date
2023-10-23 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
M****** G***
Authorizer Telephone
4194214505
Authorizer Title
Regulatory Compliance Manager
Authorizer Email
M*****@m****************.com
Narrative
Incident occurred as part of a procedure to re-fill a segment of the system that was purged and repaired due to a fire (incident id# 20230179-38361). Field personnel began loosening a flange on a 2" blow down valve per procedure and the valve was not holding. This allowed propane to be introduced to the atmosphere in the form of vapor. The procedure did not specify to close/verify closed the 2" blown down, but it was closed because of an obvious need to do so for isolation, and it was determined that the valve was not fully closed/seated and remained 1/16 of an inch open. The procedure was halted and the valve was fully closed and re-packed before proceeding. Supplemental update. Cause has been adjusted to reflect new information that the procedure for this operation did not specify to close/verify closed the valve prior to removal of the blind. Supplemental update #2, the south halls bayou (mp16) block valve is located less than a foot downstream from the blow-down valve that in which the failure occurred. The mp16 valve was opened after isolating the segment in which the release was occurring from the upstream portion of the pipe. Isolation from the upstream segment was achieved by closure of the mp 15 north halls block valve. Opening the mp 16 block valve downstream allowed the product to flow into an empty section of pipe and reduced the pressure to a level that allowed for the injection of grease into the blowdown valve to stop the leak. This method was required due to the formation of ice in the blowdown valve preventing its operation.
| Report Received Date | 2023-08-08 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2023 |
| Report Number | 20230181 |
| Supplemental Number | 38690 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 32147 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Marathon Pipe Line Llc |
| Operator Street Address | 539 South Main Street |
| Operator City Name | Findlay |
| Operator State Abbreviation | OH |
| Operator Postal Code | 45840 |
| Time Zone | Central |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Latitude | 29.2671393 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -95.1265417 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions |
| Commodity Subtype | Other Hvl |
| Commodity Details | Propane |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 0.2 |
| Intentional Release Bbls | 0 |
| Recovered Bbls | 0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Status When Identified | Post-Maintenance/repair |
| Communication State Fed Ind | No |
| Nrc Rpt Num | Nrc Notification Not Required NRC Report How to search |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Upstream Action Taken | Valve Closure |
| Upstream Valve Type Ind | Manual |
| Downstream Action Taken | Operational Control |
| Downstream Oprtnl Cntrl Detail | Just Downstream Of The Release, The Mp 16 South Halls Bayou Block Valve Was Opened. |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Pipe Fac Name | Galveston Bay To Chocolate Bayou 8" Lpg |
| Segment Name | Galveston Bay To Chocolate Bayou 8" Lpg |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Tx |
| Onshore Postal Code | 77511 |
| Onshore City Name | Not Within A Municipality |
| Onshore County Name | Brazoria |
| Designated Location | Milepost |
| Designated Name | 16.2 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Aboveground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Typical Aboveground Facility Piping Or Appurtenance |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Intrastate |
| Item Involved | Valve |
| Valve Type | Auxiliary Or Other Valve |
| Installation Year | 2017 |
| Manufactured Year | 2016 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | Valve Was Not Fully Seated. When Flange Was Loosened, Product Was Introduced To The Atmosphere. |
| 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 | 5 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 0 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0 |
| Prpty | 5 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 0 |
| Accident Psig | 862 |
| Mop Psig | 2160 |
| Mop Cfr Section | Component Design Pressure �195.406(A)(2) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 2016-01-01 00:00:00 |
| Maop Reversal Flow Ind | No |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| 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 | Controller actions had no impact on incident. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Incorrect Operation |
| Cause Details | Valve Left Or Placed In Wrong Position, But Not Resulting In A Tank, Vessel, Or Sump/separator Overflow Or Facility Overpressure |
| Operation Type | Valve Left Or Placed In Wrong Position, But Not Resulting In A Tank, Vessel, Or Sump/separator Overflow Or Facility Overpressure |
| Related Inadequate Proc Ind | Yes |
| Category Type | Non-Routine Operating Conditions (Abnormal Operations Or Emergencies) |
| Operator Qualification Ind | Yes |
| Qualified Individuals | Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S) |
| Preparer Name | Z*** C********* |
| Preparer Title | Compliance Specialist |
| Preparer Email | Z***********@m****************.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 4196726607 |
| Prepared Date | 2023-10-23 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | M****** G*** |
| Authorizer Telephone | 4194214505 |
| Authorizer Title | Regulatory Compliance Manager |
| Authorizer Email | M*****@m****************.com |
| Narrative | Incident occurred as part of a procedure to re-fill a segment of the system that was purged and repaired due to a fire (incident id# 20230179-38361). Field personnel began loosening a flange on a 2" blow down valve per procedure and the valve was not holding. This allowed propane to be introduced to the atmosphere in the form of vapor. The procedure did not specify to close/verify closed the 2" blown down, but it was closed because of an obvious need to do so for isolation, and it was determined that the valve was not fully closed/seated and remained 1/16 of an inch open. The procedure was halted and the valve was fully closed and re-packed before proceeding. Supplemental update. Cause has been adjusted to reflect new information that the procedure for this operation did not specify to close/verify closed the valve prior to removal of the blind. Supplemental update #2, the south halls bayou (mp16) block valve is located less than a foot downstream from the blow-down valve that in which the failure occurred. The mp16 valve was opened after isolating the segment in which the release was occurring from the upstream portion of the pipe. Isolation from the upstream segment was achieved by closure of the mp 15 north halls block valve. Opening the mp 16 block valve downstream allowed the product to flow into an empty section of pipe and reduced the pressure to a level that allowed for the injection of grease into the blowdown valve to stop the leak. This method was required due to the formation of ice in the blowdown valve preventing its operation. |
External Resources
PHMSA pipeline safety insights.
Product
Features
Company
All rights reserved. Copyright © by ClearPHMSA