ENTERPRISE CRUDE PIPELINE LLC

Incident Narrative

GAUGER TECH DISCOVERED CRUDE LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF A PIPELINE STRAINER ON THE LINE SEGMENT THAT PUMPS OUT TO THE WASSON STATION DELIVERY. THE DELIVERY WAS SHUT DOWN AND LEAK SEGMENT ISOLATED. IT WAS NOTICED THAT OF THE 6 - 1/2"" BOLTS THAT HOLD THE STRAINER LID ON. 2 WERE BROKE, 2 WERE CRACKED AND 2 WERE BENT.THE REVIEW OF THE EQUIPMENT AND INTERVIEW WITH LOTO EMPLOYEE HAS DETERMINED THAT WHEN THE SUCTION VALVE TO THE PUMP IS USED AS AN ISOLATION POINT, THERE IS NO THERMAL RELIEF. IF THE CHECK VALVE ALSO WORKS PROPERLY, APPROXIMATELY 12 FEET OF ABOVE GROUPD PIPING WHICH INCLUDES THE METER AND THE FAILED STRAINER CAN BECOME PRESSURIZED. THERMAL EXPANSION CAUSED DAMAGE TO QUIPMENT. VIBRATION FROM THE PUMP COULD BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTURE. ALL BOLTS WERE REPLACED - ALSO ARRANGED WITH ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PULSATION DAMPENER WOULD HELP OR IS NECESSARY FOR THIS SEGMENT OF EQUIPMENT. 9-22-2011 - UPDATE - A PULSATION DAMPENER WAS INSTALLED TO THIS SEGMENT OF EQUIPMENT. THE UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM VALVES ON THE METER RUN WAS CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION IN THE PIPING AREA. THE THOUGHT WAS - TWO VALVES CLOSED IS BETTER THAN ONE TO KEEP PRODUCT FROM LEAKING. THE INCORRECT OPERATIONS WAS REVIEWED AT THE MONTHLY SAFETY MEETING - NOT TO CLOSE VALVES THAT WILL TRAP PRODUCT IN PIPING THAT HAS NO THERMAL RELIEF.