NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-014

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-014.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE PHILLIPS PIPELINE COMPANY: INSTITUTE MAIN LINE VALVE CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NEEDED TO REDUCE SUBSTANTIALLY THE AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED TO COMPLETELY BLOCK OFF AND ISOLATE A FAILED PIPELINE SECTION. CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE USE OF AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED VALVES, REMOTELY OPERATED VALVES, OR CHECK VALVES INSTALLED AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS ON THIS PIPELINE. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE CONCENTRATION OF POPULATION-AT-RISK ALONG AND ADJACENT TO THE PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY. THE SAFETY BOARD INVITES PHILLIPS ATTENTION TO THE SECTION ON THE PUBLIC-AT-RISK IN THE SAFETY BOARD'S SPECIAL STUDY OF "EFFECTS OF DELAY IN SHUTTING DOWN FAILED PIPELINE SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING RAPID SHUTDOWN."

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1972-03-01

Adopted Date: 1972-03-01

Overall Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Synopsis: ON DECEMBER 9, 1970, A RUPTURE OCCURRED IN THE PHILLIPS PIPELINE COMPANY SYSTEM IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, MISSOURI WHICH RELEASED 4,538 BARRELS OF PROPANE. AN EXPLOSION, EQUIVALENT TO 100,000 POUNDS OF TNT, AND A FIRE RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE WITHIN A 2 MILE RADIUS. NO FATALITIES OCCURRED, BUT TEN PERSONS SUSTAINED INJURIES.

Keywords: Remote Operated Valves

Ntsbnumber: PLD71XR001

Report Number: PAR-72-01

Addressee Name: Phillips Petroleum Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1973-02-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM PHILLIPS: WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF EQUIPPING A VALVE AT EACH PUMPING STATION WITH ELECTRICAL OPERATORS WHEREBY THE DISPATCHER IN THE BARTLESVILLE CONTROL CENTER CAN REMOTELY CLOSE OFF AND ISOLATE THE VARIOUS LINE SECTIONS.