PLAINS MARKETING, L.P.

hazardous_liquid Incident — — August 5, 2012

Incident Information

Incident DateAugust 5, 2012
OperatorPLAINS MARKETING, L.P.
CommodityCRUDE OIL
Pipeline Typehazardous_liquid

Location

State
Coordinates35.93611, -96.73806

Cause

CauseEQUIPMENT FAILURE
SubcauseOTHER EQUIPMENT FAILURE

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries0

Costs

Property Damage$15,000
Emergency Response$5,000
Other Costs$0

Location Map

Incident Narrative

APPROXIMATELY ONE (1) BARREL OF CRUDE OIL WAS RELEASED WHEN THE SWIVEL JOINT ATTACHED TO THE ROOF DRAIN ON TOP OF TANK 100 FAILED. THE SWIVEL JOINT ALLOWS THE ROOF DRAIN LINE INSIDE THE TANK TO MOVE FREELY AS THE ROOF MOVES UP AND DOWN. A FLANGE WELDED TO THE SWIVEL JOINT ATTACHES THE ROOF DRAIN LINE TO THE FLOATING ROOF AT THE DRAIN POINT ON THE ROOF. WHEN THE SWIVEL JOINT FAILED (FROZE UP) IT CREATED A STRESS IN THE WELD THAT ATTACHES THE FLANGE TO THE SWIVEL JOINT. THIS STRESS CAUSED THE WELD TO FAIL WHICH RESULTED IN THE RELEASE FROM THE TANK THROUGH THE ROOF DRAIN LINE. THE SWIVEL JOINT WAS IMMEDIATELY REPLACED AND TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE, THE SWIVEL JOINT WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL TANKS EACH TIME THE TANK UNDERGOES AN OUT OF SERVICE 653 INSPECTION.

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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