HL incident on 2024-12-11 — TX

Operator
Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership
Cause
Equipment Failure
Commodity
Crude Oil
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities 0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$29,144
Incident datetime
2024-12-11 00:00 UTC
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
During a routine walkthrough at cambridge station on november 11, 2024, at approximately 6:46 am cst, an enbridge technician noticed what appeared to be product staining an area of gravel near the unit 4 discharge valve outside of the line 6 pump building. The control center was immediately contacted, and the line 6 pumping station was shut down and isolated. Due to assumed costs of the repair, a call was placed to the nrc at 7:24 am cst (nrc report #1416053). Through excavation of the area, it was determined that a below grade bolted flange connection on the discharge valve (cb-6-udv-41) was the source of the release. The gasket was replaced and after re-torquing the flange the station was pressurized to monitor the flange. After confirming the repair, the station was returned to service. Contaminated soil generated during the initial repair activities was separated and disposed of at a licensed disposal facility. A 48-hour update to the nrc was made on november 13, 2024, at 7:03 am cst (nrc report #1416251). After completion of the repair, third party soil-sampling and investigation activities were conducted to determine the extent of the impacted area. Because of infrastructure located near the release site hydro-excavation became the main option for soil removal until it was safe to use other equipment. As soil sampling and removal progressed, the volume of product released was determined to be greater than that of the original estimates. Based on the current volume estimates and observed release rate prior to the repair, this flange was likely leaking for an extended period of time. Investigation activities to date have shown that the extent of product impacts are confined to the facility, localized near the release site, and that no potable water wells or surface water features have been impacted. Moving forward, additional site investigation and remediation will be completed under the wisconsin dnr remediation and redevelopment program. The root cause was determined to be a failed gasket at a flanged connection. Two of the contributing factors are related to the date of installation in the early 1970s: calibrated torquing equipment with precise measurements were not readily available or used; and that the installed gasket had no inner ring. To prevent reoccurrence, below grade flanged connections exposed during site remediation had their torque verified or were re-torqued to current enbridge standards. In addition, enbridge is following its event analysis process and facility integrity management plan to review other sites with below grade flanges of the same vintage. This review will assist in determining if there are any signs of similar potential risk. If any such issues are found, pvc monitor poles will then be installed in these locations so that they can be routinely monitored during station checks. Based on the findings of these exploratory reviews, further investigations may take place at other locations.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2024-12-11 00:00:00
Iyear
2024
Report Number
20240288
Supplemental Number
40402
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
Name
Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership
Operator Street Address
915 N Eldridge Parkway, Suite 1100
Operator City Name
Houston
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77079
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
No
Location Latitude
Location Longitude
Commodity Released Type
Crude Oil
Unintentional Release Bbls
1650
Recovered Bbls
960
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 Pump/meter Station Equipment And Piping
On Off Shore
Onshore
Status When Identified
Normal Operation, Includes Pauses Between Batches And During Maintenance
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Communication State Fed Ind
No
Nrc Rpt Num
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1416251
Ignite Ind
No
Notify Qualified Indiv Ind
Yes
Oil Spill Removal Org Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
Cambridge Station
Segment Name
6-Udv-41
Onshore State Abbreviation
Wi
Onshore Postal Code
53523
Onshore City Name
Cambridge
Onshore County Name
Jefferson
Designated Location
Milepost
Designated Name
304.57
Federal
No
Location Type
Totally Contained On Operator-Controlled Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Depth Of Cover
36
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Interstate
Item Involved
Valve
Valve Type
Auxiliary Or Other Valve
Installation Year
1973
Manufactured Year
Unknown
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Connection Failure
Wildlife Impact Ind
No
Soil Contamination
Yes
Long Term Assessment
Yes
Remediation Ind
Yes
Soil Remed Ind
Yes
Water Contam Ind
Yes
Groundwater Contam Ind
Yes
Amount Released
0.1
Rel Water Name
Na - Groundwater
Could Be Hca
Yes
Commodity Reached Hca
Yes
Other Pop Ind
Yes
Other Pop Yes No
Yes
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Gas Released
115500
Est Cost Prop Damage
29144
Est Cost Emergency
33052
Est Cost Environmental
1115006
Est Cost Other
0
Prpty
1292702
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0
Num Resident Building Affctd
0
Num Business Building Affctd
0
Accident Psig
308
Mop Psig
876
Mop Cfr Section
Subpart E Pressure Test �195.406(A)(3)
Maop Established Date
1971-10-14 00:00:00
Maop Reversal Flow Ind
No
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction 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
There were no alarms associated with this event due to the rate and duration of the release being lower than the detectable threshold of the active alarm systems. Release was identified by field personnel, who initiated the appropriate response to this event, and the initial estimated volume released did not meet the requirements to conduct an investigation.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Equipment Failure
Cause Details
Non-Threaded Connection Failure
Eq Failure Type
Non-Threaded Connection Failure
Other Non Threaded Ind
Gasket
Eq Additional Other Ind
Yes
Eq Additional Other Details
Degraded Gasket/connection Loosened Over Time
Preparer Name
S**** S****
Preparer Title
Advisor Regulatory Compliance
Preparer Email
S**********@e*******.com
Preparer Telephone
7153953620
Prepared Date
2025-01-10 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
L*** S**********
Authorizer Telephone
7153941584
Authorizer Title
Supervisor Regulatory Compliance
Authorizer Email
L***************@e*******.com
Narrative
During a routine walkthrough at cambridge station on november 11, 2024, at approximately 6:46 am cst, an enbridge technician noticed what appeared to be product staining an area of gravel near the unit 4 discharge valve outside of the line 6 pump building. The control center was immediately contacted, and the line 6 pumping station was shut down and isolated. Due to assumed costs of the repair, a call was placed to the nrc at 7:24 am cst (nrc report #1416053). Through excavation of the area, it was determined that a below grade bolted flange connection on the discharge valve (cb-6-udv-41) was the source of the release. The gasket was replaced and after re-torquing the flange the station was pressurized to monitor the flange. After confirming the repair, the station was returned to service. Contaminated soil generated during the initial repair activities was separated and disposed of at a licensed disposal facility. A 48-hour update to the nrc was made on november 13, 2024, at 7:03 am cst (nrc report #1416251). After completion of the repair, third party soil-sampling and investigation activities were conducted to determine the extent of the impacted area. Because of infrastructure located near the release site hydro-excavation became the main option for soil removal until it was safe to use other equipment. As soil sampling and removal progressed, the volume of product released was determined to be greater than that of the original estimates. Based on the current volume estimates and observed release rate prior to the repair, this flange was likely leaking for an extended period of time. Investigation activities to date have shown that the extent of product impacts are confined to the facility, localized near the release site, and that no potable water wells or surface water features have been impacted. Moving forward, additional site investigation and remediation will be completed under the wisconsin dnr remediation and redevelopment program. The root cause was determined to be a failed gasket at a flanged connection. Two of the contributing factors are related to the date of installation in the early 1970s: calibrated torquing equipment with precise measurements were not readily available or used; and that the installed gasket had no inner ring. To prevent reoccurrence, below grade flanged connections exposed during site remediation had their torque verified or were re-torqued to current enbridge standards. In addition, enbridge is following its event analysis process and facility integrity management plan to review other sites with below grade flanges of the same vintage. This review will assist in determining if there are any signs of similar potential risk. If any such issues are found, pvc monitor poles will then be installed in these locations so that they can be routinely monitored during station checks. Based on the findings of these exploratory reviews, further investigations may take place at other locations.
Report Received Date 2024-12-11 00:00:00
Iyear 2024
Report Number 20240288
Supplemental Number 40402
Report Type Supplemental Final
Operator Id 11169 PHMSA Enforcement
Name Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership
Operator Street Address 915 N Eldridge Parkway, Suite 1100
Operator City Name Houston
Operator State Abbreviation TX
Operator Postal Code 77079
Time Zone Central
Daylight Savings Ind No
Location Latitude 43.007346 Google Maps OpenStreetMap
Location Longitude -88.948112 Google Maps OpenStreetMap
Commodity Released Type Crude Oil
Unintentional Release Bbls 1650
Recovered Bbls 960
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 Pump/meter Station Equipment And Piping
On Off Shore Onshore
Status When Identified Normal Operation, Includes Pauses Between Batches And During Maintenance
Shutdown Due Accident Ind Yes
Communication State Fed Ind No
Nrc Rpt Num 1416053 NRC Report How to search
Additional Nrc Report Numbers 1416251
Ignite Ind No
Notify Qualified Indiv Ind Yes
Oil Spill Removal Org Ind No
Num Pub Evacuated 0
Pipe Fac Name Cambridge Station
Segment Name 6-Udv-41
Onshore State Abbreviation Wi
Onshore Postal Code 53523
Onshore City Name Cambridge
Onshore County Name Jefferson
Designated Location Milepost
Designated Name 304.57
Federal No
Location Type Totally Contained On Operator-Controlled Property
Incident Area Type Underground
Incident Area Subtype Under Soil
Depth Of Cover 36
Crossing No
Pipe Facility Type Interstate
Item Involved Valve
Valve Type Auxiliary Or Other Valve
Installation Year 1973
Manufactured Year Unknown
Material Involved Carbon Steel
Release Type Leak
Leak Type Connection Failure
Wildlife Impact Ind No
Soil Contamination Yes
Long Term Assessment Yes
Remediation Ind Yes
Soil Remed Ind Yes
Water Contam Ind Yes
Groundwater Contam Ind Yes
Amount Released 0.1
Rel Water Name Na - Groundwater
Could Be Hca Yes
Commodity Reached Hca Yes
Other Pop Ind Yes
Other Pop Yes No Yes
Est Cost Oper Paid 0
Est Cost Gas Released 115500
Est Cost Prop Damage 29144
Est Cost Emergency 33052
Est Cost Environmental 1115006
Est Cost Other 0
Prpty 1292702
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght 0
Num Injured Treated By Emt 0
Num Resident Building Affctd 0
Num Business Building Affctd 0
Accident Psig 308
Mop Psig 876
Mop Cfr Section Subpart E Pressure Test �195.406(A)(3) View CFR 49 §192
Maop Established Date 1971-10-14 00:00:00
Maop Reversal Flow Ind No
Accident Pressure Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction 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 There were no alarms associated with this event due to the rate and duration of the release being lower than the detectable threshold of the active alarm systems. Release was identified by field personnel, who initiated the appropriate response to this event, and the initial estimated volume released did not meet the requirements to conduct an investigation.
Employee Drug Test Ind No
Contractor Drug Test Ind No
Cause Equipment Failure
Cause Details Non-Threaded Connection Failure
Eq Failure Type Non-Threaded Connection Failure
Other Non Threaded Ind Gasket
Eq Additional Other Ind Yes
Eq Additional Other Details Degraded Gasket/connection Loosened Over Time
Preparer Name S**** S****
Preparer Title Advisor Regulatory Compliance
Preparer Email S**********@e*******.com
Preparer Telephone 7153953620
Prepared Date 2025-01-10 00:00:00
Authorizer Name L*** S**********
Authorizer Telephone 7153941584
Authorizer Title Supervisor Regulatory Compliance
Authorizer Email L***************@e*******.com
Narrative During a routine walkthrough at cambridge station on november 11, 2024, at approximately 6:46 am cst, an enbridge technician noticed what appeared to be product staining an area of gravel near the unit 4 discharge valve outside of the line 6 pump building. The control center was immediately contacted, and the line 6 pumping station was shut down and isolated. Due to assumed costs of the repair, a call was placed to the nrc at 7:24 am cst (nrc report #1416053). Through excavation of the area, it was determined that a below grade bolted flange connection on the discharge valve (cb-6-udv-41) was the source of the release. The gasket was replaced and after re-torquing the flange the station was pressurized to monitor the flange. After confirming the repair, the station was returned to service. Contaminated soil generated during the initial repair activities was separated and disposed of at a licensed disposal facility. A 48-hour update to the nrc was made on november 13, 2024, at 7:03 am cst (nrc report #1416251). After completion of the repair, third party soil-sampling and investigation activities were conducted to determine the extent of the impacted area. Because of infrastructure located near the release site hydro-excavation became the main option for soil removal until it was safe to use other equipment. As soil sampling and removal progressed, the volume of product released was determined to be greater than that of the original estimates. Based on the current volume estimates and observed release rate prior to the repair, this flange was likely leaking for an extended period of time. Investigation activities to date have shown that the extent of product impacts are confined to the facility, localized near the release site, and that no potable water wells or surface water features have been impacted. Moving forward, additional site investigation and remediation will be completed under the wisconsin dnr remediation and redevelopment program. The root cause was determined to be a failed gasket at a flanged connection. Two of the contributing factors are related to the date of installation in the early 1970s: calibrated torquing equipment with precise measurements were not readily available or used; and that the installed gasket had no inner ring. To prevent reoccurrence, below grade flanged connections exposed during site remediation had their torque verified or were re-torqued to current enbridge standards. In addition, enbridge is following its event analysis process and facility integrity management plan to review other sites with below grade flanges of the same vintage. This review will assist in determining if there are any signs of similar potential risk. If any such issues are found, pvc monitor poles will then be installed in these locations so that they can be routinely monitored during station checks. Based on the findings of these exploratory reviews, further investigations may take place at other locations.

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