# BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP — Notice of Probable Violation

**Citation:** CPF 420125015  
**Type / status:** enforcement / historical  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2012-04-24

CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.402(c)(5), 195.52, 195.54(a).

## Document text

Notice of Probable Violation involving BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 195.402(c)(5),  195.52,  195.54(a). The case was opened on 2012-04-24 and is reported as closed as of 2013-04-30. Proposed civil penalty: $36,200. Assessed civil penalty: $36,200. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

420125015_Closure_04302013.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Closure_04302013.pdf

420125015_Closure_04302013_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Closure_04302013_text.pdf

420125015_Final Order_10182012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Final%20Order_10182012.pdf

420125015_Final Order_10182012_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Final%20Order_10182012_text.pdf

420125015_NOPV PCP PCO_04242012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_NOPV%20PCP%20PCO_04242012.pdf

420125015_NOPV PCP PCO_04242012_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_NOPV%20PCP%20PCO_04242012_text.pdf

420125015_Operator Response to NOTICE_05242012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Operator%20Response%20to%20NOTICE_05242012.pdf

420125015_NOPV PCP PCO_04242012_text.pdf

NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION
PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY
and
PROPOSED COMPLIANCE ORDER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
April 24, 2012
Mr. Jerry Ashcroft
Vice President, Field Operations
Buckeye Partners, L.P.
Five TEK Park
9999 Hamilton Boulevard
Breiningville, PA 18031
CPF 4-2012-5015
Dear Mr. Ashcroft:
Between April 25 and July 14, 2011, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA) pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code was onsite
and inspected your pipeline facilities in El Paso, TX.
As a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed probable violations of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and the
probable violation(s) are:
1. §195.402 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(a) General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each pipeline system a manual
of written procedures for conducting normal operations and maintenance activities
and handling abnormal operations and emergencies. This manual shall be reviewed at
intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year, and
appropriate changes made as necessary to insure that the manual is effective. This



manual shall be prepared before initial operations of a pipeline commence, and
appropriate parts shall be kept at locations where operations and maintenance
activities are conducted.
(c) Maintenance and normal operations. The manual required by paragraph (a) of this
section must include procedures for the following to provide safety during maintenance and
normal operations:
(5) Analyzing pipeline accidents to determine their causes.
Buckeye did not follow their procedures to conduct an analysis of the pipeline accident
that was discovered in January 2011 on Tank 1001 to determine the cause of the accident.
In January 2011, Buckeye’s personnel noticed a small stain at the bottom of Tank 1001.
After investigating the source of the stain, it was determined to be product leaking out of
Tank 1001. The tank had to be placed out of service to conduct testing in order to find
the source of the leak. On January 26, 2011 and February 10, 2011, a Helium Leak Test
and Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) were conducted to find the source of the leak on
the bottom of Tank 1001. The leak was a small pinhole leak that was very difficult to
find. The MT performed found a crack like feature at the shell/bottom weld. There is no
evidence or documents of an analysis being performed to find the root cause of the crack
like feature.
Buckeye’s procedures, ‘2. Internal Release Investigation Procedures’ and ‘2.2 Medium
Level’ require that all DOT written reportable product release be investigated for the root
cause of the incident. Buckeye did not perform the root cause analysis.
2. §195.54 Accident reports.
(a) Each operator that experiences an accident that is required to be reported
under §195.50 shall as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days after discovery
of the accident, prepare and file an accident report on DOT Form 7000-1, or a
facsimile.
Buckeye failed to report a pipeline accident, which met the requirements of §195.50(e),
which occurred in January 2011 on Tank 1001 within 30 days after discovery of the
accident.
In January 2011, Buckeye’s personnel noticed a small stain at the bottom of Tank 1001.
After investigating the source of the stain, it was determined to be product leaking out of
Tank 1001. The tank had to be placed out of service to conduct testing in order to find
the source of the leak. On January 26, 2011 and February 10, 2011, a Helium Leak Test
and Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) were conducted to find the source of the leak on
the bottom of Tank 1001. The leak was a small pinhole leak that was very difficult to
find. The MT performed found a crack like feature at the shell/bottom weld. The cost
associated with these activities exceeded the reportable criteria of $50,000 per §195.50.
2



Buckeye’s procedure, ‘1. Release Notification Procedure, 1.1.2.2,’ states that within 30
days of a DOT reportable release, Buckeye shall file an accident report on DOT Form
7000-1. At the time of the inspection a report had not been filed.
3. §195.52 Telephonic notice of certain accidents.
(a) At the earliest practicable moment following discovery of a release of the
hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide transported resulting in an event described
in §195.50, the operator of the system shall give notice, in accordance with
paragraph (b) of this section, of any failure that:
(3) Caused estimated property damage, including cost of cleanup and recovery,
value of lost product, and damage to the property of the operator or others,
or both, exceeding $50,000;
Buckeye did not give notice at the earliest practicable moment after discovery of a release
of hazardous material, which caused estimated property damage, including cost of
cleanup and recovery, value of lost product, and damage to the property of the operator or
others, or both, exceeding $50,000.
In January 2011, Buckeye’s personnel noticed a small stain at the bottom of Tank 1001.
After investigating the source of the stain, it was determined to be product leaking out of
Tank 1001. The tank had to be placed out of service to conduct testing in order to find
the source of the leak. On January 26, 2011 and February 10, 2011, a Helium Leak Test
and Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) were conducted to find the source of the leak on
the bottom of Tank 1001. The leak was a small pinhole leak that was very difficult to
find. The MT performed found a crack like feature at the shell/bottom weld. The cost
associated with these activities exceeded the reportable criteria of $50,000 per §195.50.
Buckeye’s procedure, ‘1. Release Notification Procedure, 1.1.2.1,’ states that at the
earliest practicable moment following discovery of a release meeting the criteria, local
management shall notify the National Response Center by telephone. At the time of the
inspection a report had not been filed.
Proposed Civil Penalty
Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000
for each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any
related series of violations. The Compliance Officer has reviewed the circumstances and
supporting documentation involved in the above probable violation(s) and has recommended that
you be preliminarily assessed a civil penalty of $36,200 as follows:
3



Item number PENALTY
1 $20,000
2 $16,200
Warning Items
With respect to item 3 we have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents involved
in this case and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty assessment
proceedings at this time. We advise you to promptly correct these item(s). Be advised that
failure to do so may result in Buckeye Partners being subject to additional enforcement action.
Proposed Compliance Order
With respect to items 1 and 2, pursuant to 49 United States Code § 60118, the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposes to issue a Compliance Order to Buckeye
Partners, LP. Please refer to the Proposed Compliance Order, which is enclosed and made a part
of this Notice.
Response to this Notice
Enclosed as part of this Notice is a document entitled Response Options for Pipeline Operators
in Compliance Proceedings. Please refer to this document and note the response options. Be
advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement action is subject to being
made publicly available. If you believe that any portion of your responsive material qualifies for
confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along with the complete original document you
must provide a second copy of the document with the portions you believe qualify for
confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you believe the redacted information
qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b). If you do not respond within 30 days
of receipt of this Notice, this constitutes a waiver of your right to contest the allegations in this
Notice and authorizes the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety to find facts as alleged in
this Notice without further notice to you and to issue a Final Order.
In your correspondence on this matter, please refer to CPF 4-2012-5015 and for each document
you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format whenever possible.
Sincerely,
R. M. Seeley
Director, Southwest Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Enclosure: Proposed Compliance Order
Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Compliance Proceedings
4



PROPOSED COMPLIANCE ORDER
Pursuant to 49 United States Code § 60118, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) proposes to issue to Buckeye Partners, LP a Compliance Order
incorporating the following remedial requirements to ensure the compliance of Buckeye
Partners, LP with the pipeline safety regulations:
1. In regard to Item Number 1 of the Notice pertaining to the pipeline accident that
was discovered in January 2011 on Tank 1001, Buckeye Partners, LP must
perform a root cause analysis to determine the cause of the accident, to comply
with §195.402(c)(5).
2. In regard to Item Number 2 of the Notice pertaining to the pipeline accident that
was discovered in January 2011 on Tank 1001, Buckeye Partners, LP must
prepare and file and accident report on DOT Form 7000-1 to the Pipeline and
Hazardous Material Safety Administration, to comply with §195.54(a).
3. Buckeye Partners, LP should complete items 1 and 2 within 90 days of receipt of
the Final Order.
4. It is requested (not mandated) that Buckeye Partners, LP maintain documentation
of the safety improvement costs associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order
and submit the total to R. M. Seeley, Director, Southwest Region, Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. It is requested that these costs be
reported in two categories: 1) total cost associated with preparation/revision of
plans, procedures, studies and analyses, and 2) total cost associated with
replacements, additions and other changes to pipeline infrastructure.
5

420125015_Final Order_10182012_text.pdf

OCTOBER 18, 2012
Mr. Clark Smith
President & Chief Executive Officer
Buckeye Partners, LP
One Greenway Plaza
Suite 600
Houston, TX 77046
Re: CPF No. 4-2012-5015
Dear Mr. Smith:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes findings of
violation, assesses a civil penalty of $36,200, and specifies actions that need to be taken by
Buckeye Partners, LP, to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. The penalty payment
terms are set forth in the Final Order. When the civil penalty has been paid and the terms of the
compliance order completed, as determined by the Director, Southwest Region, this enforcement
action will be closed. Service of the Final Order by certified mail is deemed effective upon the
date of mailing, or as otherwise provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Wiese
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Mr. Thomas (Scott) Collier, Director, Performance Assurance, Buckeye Partners, LP,
Five TEK Park, 9999 Hamilton Boulevard, Breinigsville, PA 18031
Mr. Rod M. Seeley, Director, Southwest Region, OPS
Mr. Alan Mayberry, Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, OPS
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
____________________________________
)
In the Matter of )
)
Buckeye Partners, LP, ) CPF No. 4-2012-5015
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
FINAL ORDER
Between April 25 and July 14, 2011, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative of the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety
(OPS), conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of Buckeye Partners, LP’s (Buckeye or
Respondent) facilities in El Paso, Texas. Specifically, OPS inspected Buckeye’s 28-mile
pipeline that transports refined petroleum products from El Paso, Texas, to Mexico and three
related breakout tanks.1 Buckeye owns and operates approximately 6,000 miles of pipelines
transporting refined petroleum products and highly volatile liquids.2
As a result of the inspection, the Director, Southwest Region, OPS (Director), issued to
Respondent, by letter dated April 24, 2012, a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil
Penalty, and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice), which also included a warning pursuant to
49 C.F.R. § 190.205. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Notice proposed finding that
Buckeye had committed various violations of 49 C.F.R. Part 195 and proposed assessing a civil
penalty of $36,200 for the alleged violations. The Notice also proposed ordering Respondent to
take certain measures to correct the alleged violations. The warning item required no further
action but warned the operator to correct the probable violation or face possible enforcement
action.
Buckeye responded to the Notice by letter dated May 24, 2012 (Response). The company
contested certain items and requested that PHMSA reconsider the proposed civil penalty amount.
Buckeye did not request a hearing and therefore has waived its right to one.
1 Pipeline Safety Violation Report (Violation Report), dated April 24, 2012 (on file with PHMSA).
2 http://www.buckeye.com/BusinessOperations/tabid/56/Default.aspx and
http://www.buckeye.com/AboutUs/tabid/54/Default.aspx (last accessed on June 22, 2012).



2
FINDINGS OF VIOLATION
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. Part 195, as follows:
Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.402(c)(5), which states:
§ 195.402 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and
emergencies.
(a) General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each
pipeline system a manual of written procedures for conducting normal
operations and maintenance activities and handling abnormal operations
and emergencies. This manual shall be reviewed at intervals not
exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year, and appropriate
changes made as necessary to insure the manual is effective. . . .
(c) Maintenance and normal operations. The manual required by
paragraph (a) of this section must include procedures for the following to
provide safety during maintenance and normal operations:
(1) . . .
(5) Analyzing pipeline accidents to determine their causes.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.402(c)(5) by failing to follow its
own written procedures for analyzing pipeline accidents to determine their causes. The Notice
alleged that in January 2011, Buckeye personnel noticed a small stain at the bottom of Tank
1001. Buckeye determined that it was a pinhole leak and took Tank 1001 out of service. The
company then performed a helium leak test and a magnetic particle inspection, finding the source
of the leak to be a crack-like feature in the tank floor. PHMSA alleged that according to Section
2 of Buckeye’s Internal Release Investigation Procedures and specifically “Section 2.2 -
Medium Level,” Buckeye was required to perform a root cause analysis of this release but failed
to do so.
In its Response, Buckeye stated that the leak was not initially reportable and therefore any delay
in performing the analysis did not constitute a violation. Buckeye asserted that the leak was at
first treated as a low-level leak and therefore did not need a root cause analysis according to
company procedures. However, on October 24, 2012, Buckeye determined that it was a
reportable release under DOT regulations since the costs associated with the repair exceeded
$50,000. Therefore, a root cause analysis was required. Buckeye stated that after determining
the cost of repair would exceed the $50,000 threshold, it filed the DOT Form 7000-1 on
October 24, 2011, and provided the root cause analysis in Part G-8 of the Form. Buckeye
maintained that it was not in violation of the regulation since its procedures did not require a
specific timeframe within which it had to conduct the analysis.
Although Buckeye has now submitted PHMSA Form 7000-1, stating that the accident occurred
due to a ¼-inch crack in the floor plate, Buckeye still has not analyzed the cause of the crack. In
addition, Buckeye acknowledged in its Response that it needed additional information from the
tank installation contractor to complete the incident investigation report.3 Therefore, I find that
3 Response at 2.



3
Buckeye violated § 195.402(c)(5) by failing to follow its own procedures requiring a root cause
analysis for a reportable release. Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence, I find that
Buckeye violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.402(c)(5) by failing to follow its own procedures for analyzing
pipeline accidents to determine their causes.
Item 2: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.54(a), which states:
§ 195.54 Accident reports.
(a) Each operator that experiences an accident that is required to be
reported under § 195.50 must, as soon as practicable, but not later than 30
days after discovery of the accident, file an accident report on DOT Form
7000-1.4
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.54(a) by failing to file an accident
report within 30 days of discovery of an accident that was reportable under § 195.50.
Specifically, it alleged that Buckeye failed to file an accident report within 30 days of a release
that occurred on Tank 1001 in January 2011. OPS alleged in the Notice that this release met the
reporting requirements of § 195.50(e) (i.e., estimated property damage exceeding $50,000) and
therefore Buckeye should have filed a DOT Form 7000-1 within 30 days. At the time of the
inspection, Buckeye still had not filed the required accident report.
In its Response, Buckeye stated that this release was first discovered on January 13, 2011, but
that it was not until October 24, 2011, that Buckeye determined the estimated costs of
investigation and repair exceeded the $50,000 threshold. Buckeye asserted that it then
immediately filed the required report.5 Therefore, Buckeye requested that PHMSA withdraw
this Item.
At the time of the inspection, Buckeye personnel stated to PHMSA staff that the tank was still
under warranty and therefore Buckeye had no direct costs for the cleanup and repairs. Buckeye
further stated that it did not consider costs covered by the warranty to be part of the estimated
cleanup costs for § 195.50 purposes.6 I find that regardless of whether the tank was under
warranty or not, all property damage and cleanup costs must be considered by an operator in
determining whether an accident meets the $50,000 threshold. Accordingly, after considering all
of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.54(a) by failing to file an
accident report (DOT Form 7000-1) within 30 days of the January 2011 release.
These findings of violation will be considered prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement
action taken against Respondent.
4 The Notice inadvertently quoted the former version of 49 C.F.R. § 195.54, which had been amended as of the date
of the violation. The amendments to § 195.54, however, were not substantive and do not affect the allegations of
violation in the Notice.
5 Response at 2 (stating that the Accident Report was filed on October 24, 2011).
6 Violation Report at 9.



4
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122, Respondent is subject to an administrative civil penalty not to exceed
$100,000 per violation for each day of the violation, up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any
related series of violations. In determining the amount of a civil penalty under
49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 C.F.R. § 190.225, I must consider the following criteria: the nature,
circumstances, and gravity of the violation, including adverse impact on the environment; the
degree of Respondent’s culpability; the history of Respondent’s prior offenses; the Respondent’s
ability to pay the penalty and any effect that the penalty may have on its ability to continue doing
business; and the good faith of Respondent in attempting to comply with the pipeline safety
regulations. In addition, I may consider the economic benefit gained from the violation without
any reduction because of subsequent damages, and such other matters as justice may require.
The Notice proposed a total civil penalty of $36,200 for the violations cited above.
Item 1: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $20,000 for Respondent’s violation of
49 C.F.R. § 195.402(c)(5), for failing to follow its own procedures requiring a root cause
analysis of the January release on Tank 1001. In its Response, Buckeye requested a reduced
civil penalty because there was no specified time for completing the analysis. The proposed civil
penalty in this case was calculated based on the civil penalty assessment factors, including the
extended period of non-compliance, the operator’s prior enforcement history, and the fact that
PHMSA discovered the violation. However, the reduced gravity of the violation (the fact that
the safe operation of a pipeline was minimally affected) was also taken into account.
Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the penalty assessment criteria, I assess
Respondent a civil penalty of $20,000 for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.402(c)(5).
Item 2: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $16,200 for Respondent’s violation of
49 C.F.R. § 195.54, for failing to file an accident report within 30 days of the January 2011
release. In its Response, Buckeye requested that the probable violation and proposed civil
penalty be withdrawn. As discussed above, I have already made a finding of violation for Item
2. The proposed civil penalty associated with this item was based on the civil penalty
assessment factors, including the operator’s prior enforcement history, the fact that PHMSA
discovered the violation, and the reduced gravity of the violation. Accordingly, having reviewed
the record and considered the penalty assessment criteria, I assess Respondent a civil penalty of
$16,200 for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.54.
In summary, upon review of all the evidence and consideration of the assessment criteria for
each of the Items cited above, I assess Respondent a total civil penalty of $36,200.
Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days of service. Federal regulations
(49 C.F.R. § 89.21(b)(3)) require such payment to be made by wire transfer through the Federal
Reserve Communications System (Fedwire), to the account of the U.S. Treasury. Detailed
instructions are contained in the enclosure. Questions concerning wire transfers should be
directed to: Financial Operations Division (AMZ-341), Federal Aviation Administration, Mike
Monroney Aeronautical Center, P.O. Box 269039, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125. The
Financial Operations Division telephone number is (405) 954-8893.
Failure to pay the $36,200 civil penalty will result in accrual of interest at the current annual rate



5
in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 3717, 31 C.F.R. § 901.9 and 49 C.F.R. § 89.23. Pursuant to
those same authorities, a late penalty charge of six percent (6%) per annum will be charged if
payment is not made within 110 days of service. Furthermore, failure to pay the civil penalty
may result in referral of the matter to the Attorney General for appropriate action in a district
court of the United States.
COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to Items 1 and 2 in the Notice for
violations of 49 C.F.R. Part 195. Under 49 U.S.C. § 60118(a), each person who engages in the
transportation of hazardous liquids or who owns or operates a pipeline facility is required to
comply with the applicable safety standards established under chapter 601. The Director has
indicated that Respondent has taken the following actions to address one of the cited violations:
1. Respondent has filed the required Accident Report on DOT Form 7000-1.
Accordingly, I find that compliance has been achieved with respect to this violation. Therefore,
the compliance terms proposed in the Notice for Item 2 are not included in this Order.
As for the remaining compliance terms, pursuant to the authority of 49 U.S.C. § 60118(b) and
49 C.F.R. § 190.217, Respondent is ordered to take the following actions to ensure compliance
with the pipeline safety regulations applicable to its operations:
1. With respect to the violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.402(c)(5) (Item 1) pertaining to
the pipeline accident that was discovered in January 2011 on Tank 1001, Buckeye
must perform a root cause analysis to determine the cause of the accident.
2. Order.
Buckeye must complete Compliance Item 1 within 90 days of receipt of the Final
3. It is requested (not mandated) that Buckeye maintain documentation of the safety
improvement costs associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order and submit the
total to R. M. Seeley, Director, Southwest Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration. It is requested that these costs be reported in two categories:
(1) total cost associated with preparation/revision of plans, procedures, studies and
analyses; and (2) total cost associated with replacements, additions and other changes
to pipeline infrastructure.
The Director may grant an extension of time to comply with any of the required items upon a
written request timely submitted by the Respondent and demonstrating good cause for an
extension.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the administrative assessment of civil penalties
not to exceed $100,000 for each violation for each day the violation continues or in referral to the
Attorney General for appropriate relief in a district court of the United States.



6
WITHDRAWAL OF WARNING ITEM
With respect to Item 3, the Notice alleged a probable violation of Part 195 but did not propose a
civil penalty or compliance order for this item. Therefore, this is considered to be a warning
item. The warning was for:
49 C.F.R. § 195.52 (Item 3) ─ Respondent’s alleged failure to file a telephonic
notice with the National Response Center (NRC) at the earliest practicable
moment following discovery of a release of product that met the threshold of
§ 195.50.
In its Response, Buckeye stated that although the release did not meet the reporting
requirements, it did file a NRC Report on January 14, 2011. I have reviewed the NRC Report
# 964719 attached to the Response and find that Buckeye met its obligations under § 195.52.
Therefore, I am withdrawing this warning item.
Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.215, Respondent has a right to submit a Petition for Reconsideration of
this Final Order. The petition must be sent to: Associate Administrator, Office of Pipeline
Safety, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC
20590, with a copy sent to the Office of Chief Counsel, PHMSA, at the same address. PHMSA
will accept petitions received no later than 20 days after receipt of service of this Final Order by
the Respondent, provided they contain a brief statement of the issue(s) and meet all other
requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 190.215. The filing of a petition automatically stays the payment of
any civil penalty assessed. Unless the Associate Administrator, upon request, grants a stay, all
other terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon service in accordance with
49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
The terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon receipt of service.
___________________________________ __________________________
Jeffrey D. Wiese Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety

420125015_Closure_04302013_text.pdf

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
April 30, 2013
Mr. Thomas S. (Scott) Collier
Vice President, Performance Assurance & Asset Integrity
Buckeye Partners, L.P.
Five TEK Park
9999 Hamilton Blvd.
Breinigsville, PA 18031
CPF 4-2012-5015
Dear Mr. Collier:
On October 18, 2012, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
issued Buckeye Partners, L.P. a Final Order in the above-referenced case. This Order included a
Compliance Order and Civil Penalty assessment. Based on our review of the documentation you
provided and confirmation of payment of the civil penalty, it has been determined that you have
complied with the terms of this Order.
Accordingly, this case is now closed and no further action is contemplated with respect to the
matters involved in this case. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
R. M. Seeley
Director, Southwest Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/420125015>
- Source ID: `phmsa-enforcement`
- SHA-256: `300e5946be7f5170b6d125b774ef3fda4b4294f1681a9defc85734b310187cb0`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T04:44:44.458Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T18:51:00.254Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-enforcement-420125015`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "cpf": "420125015",
  "operator": "BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP",
  "region": "Southwest",
  "pipelineType": "INTERSTATE LIQUID ONSHORE",
  "caseStatus": "CLOSED",
  "citedSections": [
    "195.402(c)(5)",
    "195.52",
    "195.54(a)"
  ],
  "dataAsOf": "08/04/2026 12PM",
  "caseDataAsOf": "2026-08-04",
  "attachmentCount": 7,
  "attachments": [
    {
      "name": "420125015_Closure_04302013.pdf",
      "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Closure_04302013.pdf",
      "bytes": 66014,
      "category": "agency_document"
    },
    {
      "name": "420125015_Closure_04302013_text.pdf",
      "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Closure_04302013_text.pdf",
      "bytes": 4658,
      "category": "agency_document"
    },
    {
      "name": "420125015_Final Order_10182012.pdf",
      "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Final%20Order_10182012.pdf",
      "bytes": 440268,
      "category": "agency_document"
    },
    {
      "name": "420125015_Final Order_10182012_text.pdf",
      "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Final%20Order_10182012_text.pdf",
      "bytes": 45070,
      "category": "agency_document"
    },
    {
      "name": "420125015_NOPV PCP PCO_04242012.pdf",
      "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_NOPV%20PCP%20PCO_04242012.pdf",
      "bytes": 125972,
      "category": "agency_document"
    },
    {
      "name": "420125015_NOPV PCP PCO_04242012_text.pdf",
      "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_NOPV%20PCP%20PCO_04242012_text.pdf",
      "bytes": 26905,
      "category": "agency_document"
    },
    {
      "name": "420125015_Operator Response to NOTICE_05242012.pdf",
      "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420125015/420125015_Operator%20Response%20to%20NOTICE_05242012.pdf",
      "bytes": 1224066,
      "category": "party_submission"
    }
  ],
  "extractedAgencyDocumentCount": 3,
  "attachmentPolicy": "Official attachment links are retained. Agency-issued documents may also include a verified local PDF and page-level text representation.",
  "jurisdiction": "US",
  "operatorName": "BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP"
}
```
