MAGELLAN TERMINALS HOLDINGS, LP

hazardous_liquid Incident —

Incident Information

Report Date
OperatorMAGELLAN TERMINALS HOLDINGS, LP
Commodity—
Pipeline Typehazardous_liquid

Location

State
Coordinates27.80575, -97.43855

Cause

CauseINCORRECT OPERATION
Subcause—

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries5

Costs

Property Damage
Lost Commodity
Public/Private Damage
Emergency Response
Environmental Remediation
Other Costs

Location Map

Incident Narrative

AT 9:56 ON DECEMBER 5, 2020, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE DURING WORK BY A SPECIALIST CONTRACTOR TO REMOVE BOTTOMS FROM MAGELLAN'S TANK 142. MAGELLAN HIRED A TANK CLEANING SPECIALIST TO CLEAN THE TANK IN ACCORDANCE WITH API-RECOMMENDED PRACTICES. THE TANK CLEANING CONTRACTOR WAS USING A VACUUM PUMP TO MOVE TANK BOTTOMS FROM STORAGE TANK TO VACUUM BOXES. THE HOSES FROM THE TANK TO THE VACUUM BOX WERE NON-CONDUCTING HOSES. THESE HOSES ALLOWED THE ACCUMULATION OF A STATIC CHARGE AS THE TANK BOTTOMS MOVED THROUGH THE VACUUM HOSE. THE STATIC IS UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE DISCHARGED AT THE VACUUM BOX, IGNITING HYDROCARBON VAPORS OR MIST, DAMAGING THE VACUUM BOX AND HOSE, AND RESULTING IN A FIRE AT THE WORK SITE. TO PREVENT RE-OCCURRENCE, MAGELLAN'S INTERNAL PROCEDURES WERE MODIFIED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE REGARDING THE USE OF CONDUCTIVE HOSES. SUPPLEMENTAL/FINAL (6.2023): PARTS A, C, D, G, H SUPPLEMENTAL/FINAL (8.2023): PARTS A, D, G

About This Pipeline Incident

Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.

Back to All Incidents More Incidents in