Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2021-06-16 — CO
Operator
Monarch Oil Pipeline, Llc
Cause
Corrosion Failure
Commodity
Crude Oil
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$110,000
Incident datetime
2021-06-16 13:00
Report number
Location
CO
Narrative
On 6/16/2021 at 13:00 a company operator was flying the pipeline with our bi-monthly airplane patrol. A discoloration was discovered and a second operator was dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival it was determined to be crude oil. The pipeline had recently been pigged and emptied; however, block valves upstream and downstream were shut to isolate the system. The company's emergency response plan was initiated. The area in question was fenced off for excavating activities. Contaminated soil was taken via truck to an approved disposal site. Metallurgical analysis conducted on the cut our portion of pipe determined that this pinhole formed due to internal corrosion. The corrosion was most likely caused by microbiologically influenced corrosion. We have not, and currently do not have plans to place this portion of the pipeline back into service due to economic conditions. The pipeline has been left a under a nitrogen blanket for preventative measures.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2025-07-31 00:00:00
Iyear
2021
Report Number
20250179
Supplemental Number
41191
Report Type
Original
Operator Id
39351
Name
Monarch Oil Pipeline, Llc
Operator Street Address
10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 210
Operator City Name
Littleton
Operator State Abbreviation
CO
Operator Postal Code
80127
Local Datetime
2021-06-16 13:00:00
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
No
Location Latitude
36.1461641
Location Longitude
-100.4415795
Commodity Released Type
Crude Oil
Unintentional Release Bbls
900
Recovered Bbls
900
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Air Patrol
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Incident Identified Datetime
2021-06-16 13:00:00
System Part Involved
Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites
On Off Shore
Onshore
Status When Identified
Normal Operation, Includes Pauses Between Batches And During Maintenance
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
Yes
Shutdown Datetime
2021-06-16 14:00:00
Still Shutdown Ind
Yes
Communication State Fed Ind
No
On Site Datetime
2021-06-16 13:10:00
Confirmed Discovery Datetime
2021-06-16 13:10:00
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2021-06-16 13:26:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1307980
Ignite Ind
No
Upstream Action Taken
Valve Closure
Upstream Valve Close Datetime
2021-05-18 12:00:00
Upstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Downstream Action Taken
Valve Closure
Downstream Vlv Close Datetime
2021-05-18 12:00:00
Downstream Valve Type Ind
Manual
Notify Qualified Indiv Ind
Yes
Qualified Indiv Notif Datetime
2021-06-16 13:12:00
Oil Spill Removal Org Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
Monarch Oil Pipeline, Llc.
Segment Name
Waters Ranch
Onshore State Abbreviation
Tx
Onshore Postal Code
79046
Onshore City Name
Not Within A Municipality
Onshore County Name
Not Within A County Or Parish
Designated Location
Survey Station No.
Designated Name
Waters Ranch
Federal
No
Location Type
Pipeline Right-Of-Way
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Depth Of Cover
48
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Intrastate
Item Involved
Pipe
Pipe Type
Pipe Body
Puddle Weld Ind
No
Pipe Diameter
4.5
Pipe Wall Thickness
0.188
Pipe Smys
52000
Pipe Specification
Unknown
Pipe Seam Type
Erw - High Frequency
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Pipe Coating Type
Fusion Bonded Epoxy(Fbe)
Coating Applied Ind
Yes
Installation Year
2015
Manufactured Year
Unknown
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Pinhole
Wildlife Impact Ind
No
Soil Contamination
Yes
Long Term Assessment
Yes
Remediation Ind
Yes
Soil Remed Ind
Yes
Water Contam Ind
No
Could Be Hca
No
Commodity Reached Hca
No
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Gas Released
20000
Est Cost Prop Damage
110000
Est Cost Emergency
15000
Est Cost Environmental
250000
Est Cost Other
10000
Est Cost Other Details
Metallurgical And Soil Testing.
Prpty
405000
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0
Num Resident Building Affctd
0
Num Business Building Affctd
0
Accident Psig
150
Mop Psig
650
Mop Cfr Section
Subpart E Pressure Test �195.406(A)(3)
Maop Established Date
2015-06-01 00:00:00
Maop Reversal Flow Ind
No
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Length Segment Isolated
63052
Internal Inspection Ind
No
Diameter Change Ind
Yes
Operation Complications Ind
No
Pipeline Function
=< 20% Smys Regulated Gathering
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 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
Corrosion Failure
Cause Details
Internal Corrosion
Internal External
Internal Corrosion
Int Visual Exam Results
Localized Pitting
Int Microbiological Ind
Yes
Int Erosion Ind
Yes
Int Metallurgical Basis Ind
Yes
Int Low Point Pipe Loc Ind
Yes
Corrosion Inhibitors
No
Corrosion Lining
No
Cleaning Dewatering
Not Applicable - Not Mainline Pipe
Corrosion Coupons
Not Applicable - Not Mainline Pipe
Collected Data Ind
No
Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind
No
Direct Asmnt Conducted
No
Non Destructive Exam Ind
Yes
Exm Radiography Rcnt Year
2015
Exm Radiography Rcnt Ind
Yes
Intrnl Cor Microbiologic Ind
Yes
Preparer Name
G*** H****
Preparer Title
Manager Of Engineering
Preparer Email
G*****@m*****.com
Preparer Telephone
7242636199
Prepared Date
2025-07-29 00:00:00
Local Contact Name
J**** L****
Local Contact Email
J*****@m*****.com
Local Contact Telephone
806-217-1196
Authorizer Name
G*** H****
Authorizer Telephone
7242636199
Authorizer Title
Manager Of Engineering
Authorizer Email
G*****@m*****.com
Narrative
On 6/16/2021 at 13:00 a company operator was flying the pipeline with our bi-monthly airplane patrol. A discoloration was discovered and a second operator was dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival it was determined to be crude oil. The pipeline had recently been pigged and emptied; however, block valves upstream and downstream were shut to isolate the system. The company's emergency response plan was initiated. The area in question was fenced off for excavating activities. Contaminated soil was taken via truck to an approved disposal site. Metallurgical analysis conducted on the cut our portion of pipe determined that this pinhole formed due to internal corrosion. The corrosion was most likely caused by microbiologically influenced corrosion. We have not, and currently do not have plans to place this portion of the pipeline back into service due to economic conditions. The pipeline has been left a under a nitrogen blanket for preventative measures.
| Report Received Date | 2025-07-31 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2021 |
| Report Number | 20250179 |
| Supplemental Number | 41191 |
| Report Type | Original |
| Operator Id | 39351 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Monarch Oil Pipeline, Llc |
| Operator Street Address | 10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 210 |
| Operator City Name | Littleton |
| Operator State Abbreviation | CO |
| Operator Postal Code | 80127 |
| Local Datetime | 2021-06-16 13:00:00 |
| Time Zone | Central |
| Daylight Savings Ind | No |
| Location Latitude | 36.1461641 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -100.4415795 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Crude Oil |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 900 |
| Recovered Bbls | 900 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Air Patrol |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2021-06-16 13:00:00 |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Pipeline, Including Valve Sites |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Status When Identified | Normal Operation, Includes Pauses Between Batches And During Maintenance |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | Yes |
| Shutdown Datetime | 2021-06-16 14:00:00 |
| Still Shutdown Ind | Yes |
| Communication State Fed Ind | No |
| On Site Datetime | 2021-06-16 13:10:00 |
| Confirmed Discovery Datetime | 2021-06-16 13:10:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2021-06-16 13:26:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1307980 NRC Report How to search |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Upstream Action Taken | Valve Closure |
| Upstream Valve Close Datetime | 2021-05-18 12:00:00 |
| Upstream Valve Type Ind | Manual |
| Downstream Action Taken | Valve Closure |
| Downstream Vlv Close Datetime | 2021-05-18 12:00:00 |
| Downstream Valve Type Ind | Manual |
| Notify Qualified Indiv Ind | Yes |
| Qualified Indiv Notif Datetime | 2021-06-16 13:12:00 |
| Oil Spill Removal Org Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Pipe Fac Name | Monarch Oil Pipeline, Llc. |
| Segment Name | Waters Ranch |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | Tx |
| Onshore Postal Code | 79046 |
| Onshore City Name | Not Within A Municipality |
| Onshore County Name | Not Within A County Or Parish |
| Designated Location | Survey Station No. |
| Designated Name | Waters Ranch |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Pipeline Right-Of-Way |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Soil |
| Depth Of Cover | 48 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Intrastate |
| Item Involved | Pipe |
| Pipe Type | Pipe Body |
| Puddle Weld Ind | No |
| Pipe Diameter | 4.5 |
| Pipe Wall Thickness | 0.188 |
| Pipe Smys | 52000 |
| Pipe Specification | Unknown |
| Pipe Seam Type | Erw - High Frequency |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Pipe Coating Type | Fusion Bonded Epoxy(Fbe) |
| Coating Applied Ind | Yes |
| Installation Year | 2015 |
| Manufactured Year | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Pinhole |
| Wildlife Impact Ind | No |
| Soil Contamination | Yes |
| Long Term Assessment | Yes |
| Remediation Ind | Yes |
| Soil Remed Ind | Yes |
| Water Contam Ind | No |
| Could Be Hca | No |
| Commodity Reached Hca | No |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Gas Released | 20000 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 110000 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 15000 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 250000 |
| Est Cost Other | 10000 |
| Est Cost Other Details | Metallurgical And Soil Testing. |
| Prpty | 405000 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 0 |
| Accident Psig | 150 |
| Mop Psig | 650 |
| Mop Cfr Section | Subpart E Pressure Test �195.406(A)(3) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 2015-06-01 00:00:00 |
| Maop Reversal Flow Ind | No |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Length Segment Isolated | 63052 |
| Internal Inspection Ind | No |
| Diameter Change Ind | Yes |
| Operation Complications Ind | No |
| Pipeline Function | =< 20% Smys Regulated Gathering |
| 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 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 | Corrosion Failure |
| Cause Details | Internal Corrosion |
| Internal External | Internal Corrosion |
| Int Visual Exam Results | Localized Pitting |
| Int Microbiological Ind | Yes |
| Int Erosion Ind | Yes |
| Int Metallurgical Basis Ind | Yes |
| Int Low Point Pipe Loc Ind | Yes |
| Corrosion Inhibitors | No |
| Corrosion Lining | No |
| Cleaning Dewatering | Not Applicable - Not Mainline Pipe |
| Corrosion Coupons | Not Applicable - Not Mainline Pipe |
| Collected Data Ind | No |
| Has Hydrtst Conduc Before Ind | No |
| Direct Asmnt Conducted | No |
| Non Destructive Exam Ind | Yes |
| Exm Radiography Rcnt Year | 2015 |
| Exm Radiography Rcnt Ind | Yes |
| Intrnl Cor Microbiologic Ind | Yes |
| Preparer Name | G*** H**** |
| Preparer Title | Manager Of Engineering |
| Preparer Email | G*****@m*****.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 7242636199 |
| Prepared Date | 2025-07-29 00:00:00 |
| Local Contact Name | J**** L**** |
| Local Contact Email | J*****@m*****.com |
| Local Contact Telephone | 806-217-1196 |
| Authorizer Name | G*** H**** |
| Authorizer Telephone | 7242636199 |
| Authorizer Title | Manager Of Engineering |
| Authorizer Email | G*****@m*****.com |
| Narrative | On 6/16/2021 at 13:00 a company operator was flying the pipeline with our bi-monthly airplane patrol. A discoloration was discovered and a second operator was dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival it was determined to be crude oil. The pipeline had recently been pigged and emptied; however, block valves upstream and downstream were shut to isolate the system. The company's emergency response plan was initiated. The area in question was fenced off for excavating activities. Contaminated soil was taken via truck to an approved disposal site. Metallurgical analysis conducted on the cut our portion of pipe determined that this pinhole formed due to internal corrosion. The corrosion was most likely caused by microbiologically influenced corrosion. We have not, and currently do not have plans to place this portion of the pipeline back into service due to economic conditions. The pipeline has been left a under a nitrogen blanket for preventative measures. |
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