PLAINS PIPELINE, L.P.

Incident Narrative

AT 23:08, A THIRD PARTY TRUCK DRIVER NOTIFIED A PAA TRUCK DRIVER OF A POTENTIAL RELEASE, WHO THEN CALLED THE CONTROL CENTER. THE CONTROL CENTER SHUT DOWN THE LINE AT 23:10, AND OPERATOR RESOURCES ARRIVED ONSITE AT 23:26. THE RELEASE OCCURRED AT THE PROVER FROM A 8"" FLANGE WHERE THE SPECTACLE BLINDS WERE ON THE 4 WAY VALVE. COSTS ARE ESTIMATED TO EXCEED 50K: INITIAL NRC CALL #1238167; AND 48-HOUR FOLLOW UP #1238356. THE INCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED ONCE THE ROOT CAUSE HAS BEEN DETERMINED. SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE: A VISUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE EXISTING FLANGE GASKET. THE GASKET APPEARED TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND. THE ORIGINAL BLIND FLANGE WAS RE-INSTALLED WITH NEW STUDS, NUTS, AND GASKET. THE SYSTEM WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE AND VISUALLY INSPECTED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE. FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION, G8-OTHER ACCIDENT CAUSE WAS SELECTED BECAUSE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT IS UNKNOWN. TO MITIGATE FUTURE RELEASES, PLAINS REQUIRES THAT FIELD PERSONNEL REMAIN ON SITE AFTER ANY MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY WHEN INTRODUCING PRESSURE TO THE SYSTEM. PAA OPERATIONS EMPLOYEES WILL BE TRAINED ON THIS REQUIREMENT. SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE: A VISUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE EXISTING FLANGE GASKET. THE GASKET APPEARED TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND. THE ORIGINAL BLIND FLANGE WAS RE-INSTALLED WITH NEW STUDS, NUTS, AND GASKET FOLLOWING PROPER TORQUEING SPECIFICATIONS (SEQUENCE AND VALUES). THE SYSTEM WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE AND VISUALLY INSPECTED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE. PER THE TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSIONS REQUEST TO UPDATE THIS REPORT, PART G-APPARENT CAUSE HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH INCORRECT OPERATION. THE CAUSE LIKELY PERTAINED TO IMPROPER TORQUEING OF THE BOLTS, LEADING TO AN IMPROPER SEAL, WHICH CAUSED CRUDE OIL TO BE RELEASED. TO PREVENT FUTURE RELEASES, THE TWO EMPLOYEES INVOLVED WITH THIS INCIDENT HAVE BEEN RETRAINED ON COMPANY SPECIFICATIONS.