PLAINS MARKETING, L.P.

hazardous_liquid Incident — — August 6, 2012

Incident Information

Incident DateAugust 6, 2012
OperatorPLAINS MARKETING, L.P.
CommodityHVL OR OTHER FLAMMABLE OR TOXIC FLUID WHICH IS A GAS AT AMBI
Pipeline Typehazardous_liquid

Location

State
Coordinates46.41428, -92.03609

Cause

CauseEQUIPMENT FAILURE
SubcauseMALFUNCTION OF CONTROL/RELIEF EQUIPMENT

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries0

Costs

Property Damage$9,500
Emergency Response$25,000
Other Costs$0

Location Map

Incident Narrative

APPROXIMATELY .24 BARRELS OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS WAS RELEASED WHEN THE BELLOWS ON A RELIEF VALVE FAILED. THE FAILURE OF THE BELLOWS CANNOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL IT IS ANALYZED BY A METALLURGICAL LABORATORY. A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED ONCE THE METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS RESULTS ARE RECEIVED. SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE: BASED ON METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS, THE FAILURE OF THE BELLOWS WAS A RESULT OF HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE CRACK FAILURE. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT CYCLIC CANTILEVER BENDING LOADS ON THE BELLOWS IN SERVICE CREATED THE STRESS CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO INITIATE AND PROPAGATE FATIGUE CRACKING. THE SOURCE OF CYCLIC STRESSES CONTRIBUTING TO THE FATIGUE CRACK MAY HAVE BEEN FROM VIBRATIONS IN THE ATTACHED PIPING OR POSSIBLY FROM PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS ACTING ON THE PSV BELLOWS DISC. SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE: TO SATIFY THE REVISED PHMSA REPORT PART E QUESTION 5F. HAS BEEN UPDATED. IN ADDITION, THE ESTIMATED VOLUME OF INTENTIONAL AND/OR CONTROLLED RELEASE/BLOWDOWN HAS BEEN CORRECTED TO 0. THE PRODUCT WAS SENT TO A VAPOR COMBUSTION UNIT FLARE.

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.

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