BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP

Incident Narrative

ON FEBRUARY 28, 2023, AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 AM EASTERN TIME, A BUCKEYE OPERATOR DISCOVERED FLAMES COMING FROM TANK 1202 IN PORT READING, NEW JERSEY WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE ROUNDS. THE OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED THE NRC AND CONTACTED THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH ARRIVED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO RESULTING DAMAGE TO OTHER TANKS OR FIXED TERMINAL EQUIPMENT. AT THE TIME OF THE REPORTABLE INCIDENT, TANK 1202 HAD BEEN EMPTIED AND ISOLATED FROM THE SYSTEM TO UNDERGO REPAIRS RELATED TO A PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF THE INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF THAT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 2, 2023. 10/5/2023 UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONE ROOF WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY SUPPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO COLLAPSE WHEN SUBJECTED TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY, WET SNOW. THE COLLAPSE INITIATED A SPARK THAT IGNITED RESIDUAL PUDDLES OF A GASOLINE-WATER MIXTURE AND VAPORS INSIDE THE TANK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT REVEALED THAT A THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTOR LEFT A WOODEN BRACE INSIDE TANK 1202 WHILE CONDUCTING API653 TANK REPAIRS. THIS BRACE CAUSED A TILT THAT PREVENTED THE FLOATING ROOF FROM LAYING HORIZONTALLY, WHICH COMPROMISED THE ROOF'S ABILITY TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE ACCUMULATED SNOW AND ULTIMATELY LED TO ITS COLLAPSE. THIS REPORT HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE FINDINGS. WORK STOPPED IN JUNE 2023 AND DID NOT RESUME UNTIL AUGUST 11, 2023. AS OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, SHOP FABRICATION OF REPLACEMENT SECTIONS IS NEARING COMPLETION. ADDITIONAL PREPARATIONS FOR REPAIR WORK WILL THEN BEGIN AT THE SITE. CONTINUOUS WORK IS PLANNED THROUGH THE WINTER, AS WEATHER ALLOWS, WITH COMPLETION SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 2024. WORK WILL STOP IN THE EVENT OF RAIN OR WINDS IN EXCESS OF 20 MILES PER HOUR. 12/14/2023 INSTALLATION OF TANK SHELL PLATES ARE IN PROGRESS WITH LAST TWO RING SHELL PLATES IN PROCESS OF BEING INSTALLED WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH. PRIMARY DOOR SHEET REMAINS OPEN. FABRICATION OF ROOF IS COMPLETE AND READY FOR UPCOMING STEPS IN REPAIR PROCESS. ANTICIPATED COMPLETION IS NOW JULY 2024. WORK WILL CONTINUE AS WEATHER PERMITS HOWEVER WORK WILL SHUT DOWN OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR NINE DAYS. 2/21/2024 FINAL RINGS OF TANK SHELL HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND FIT UP ADJUSTMENTS ARE IN PROGRESS. PRIMARY DOOR SHEET REMAINS OPEN. INSTALLATION OF CONE ROOF STRUCTURE IS ANTICIPATED TO BEGIN TO INCLUDE COLUMNS AND RAFTERS OF CONE ROOF STRUCTURE AND INSTALLATION OF FIXED ROOF PLATE. STAIR INSTALLATION WILL ALSO CONTINUE. CURRENTLY THE ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE REMAINS JULY 2024. 4/15/2024 COMPLETED TANK SHELL HEIGHT IS 59'1'. PRIMARY DOOR SHEET REMAINS OPENS. FIT UP ADJUSTMENTS OF SHELL CONTINUE. ROOF STRUCTURE AND PLATE ARE SET. INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF SHOP FABRICATION IS IN PROGRESS. FLOOR DEMOLITION IS IN PROGRESS. ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE HAS BEEN MOVED TO SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 DUE TO EXCESSIVE RAINFALL AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. 6/13/2024 TANK FLOOR REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE; TANK SHELL STIFFENERS ARE COMPLETE AND TANK SHELL VALVE TESTING IS COMPLETE. WORK CONTINUES WITH THE ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE SCHEDULED FOR END OF SEPTEMBER PENDING NO WEATHER DELAYS. ADDITIONAL PROGRESS UPDATES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED UNTIL ALL WORK IS COMPLETED. 8/6/2024 FINAL DOOR SHEET INSTALLATION IS COMPLETED. INTERNAL FLOATING ROOF ASSEMBLY IS NEARING COMPLETION. WORK CONTINUES WITH SUPPLY LINE PIPING INSTALLATION. INTERNAL LINING INSTALLATION AND EXTERIOR COATING CONTINUATION. ADDITIONAL PROGRESS UPDATES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED UNTIL ALL WORK IS COMPLETED. ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 1, 2024. 10/15/2024 EXTERNAL SHELL, FIXED ROOF COATING, FIRE FOAM PIPING INSTALLATION ARE COMPLETE. HYDROTEST OF TANK AND FIRE FOAM SYSTEM IS COMPLETE. INTERNAL INSPECTION IS COMPLETE. TANK VALVES HAVE BEEN REINSTALLED AND TANK WAS SUCCESSFULLY RECOMMISSIONED TO SERVICE ON OCTOBER 11, 2024.