NTSB Safety Recommendation P-73-031

NTSB safety recommendation P-73-031.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE EXXON PIPE LINE COMPANY: INSTALL PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES ON THIS SYSTEM AND SIMILAR SYSTEMS, IF APPLICABLE, TO PREVENT A REPETITION OF THE FAILURE OF A CLOSED-IN SYSTEM DUE TO OVERPRESSURE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1973-08-10

Adopted Date: 1973-08-01

Overall Date Closed: 1976-07-20

Synopsis: ON MAY 14, 1972, A SHUTDOWN, CLOSED-IN 8-INCH PIPELINE OWNED BY THE EXXON PIPE LINE COMPANY RUPTURED NEAR HEARNE, TEXAS. THE CRUDE OIL FLOWED ALONG A SMALL STREAM AND WAS DAMMED UP 1 FOOT DEEP IN A STOCK POND 1,800 FEET FROM THE LEAK. VAPORS FROM THE CRUDE OIL, WHICH CONTINUED TO LEAK FROM THE RUPTURE, ENTERED A HOUSE AND WERE IGNITED. THE EXPLOSION KILLED ONE PERSON, SERIOUSLY BURNED TWO OTHERS, DESTROYED THE HOUSE, MELTED NEARBY COMMUNICATION LINES, AND SCORCHED AN 1,800-FOOT-LONG AREA.

Ntsbnumber: PLD72XR003

Report Number: PAR-73-02

Addressee Name: ExxonMobil Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1976-07-20

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1973-12-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM EXXON PIPE LINE COMPANY: AT PRESENT NO PIPELINE SECTION IS BEING OPERATED IN A CLOSED-IN CONDITION SIMILAR TO CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE TIME THE NO. 6-8 INCH PIPELINE FAILED. ALL OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IN OUR COMPANY HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO AVOID PLACING ANY PIPELINE SECTION IN A CLOSED-IN CONDITION WITHOUT PRESSURE RELIEF AND LOCAL OR REMOTE MONITORING OF THE PRESSURE.