NTSB Safety Recommendation P-73-033

NTSB safety recommendation P-73-033.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE EXXON PIPE LINE COMPANY: INSTRUCT THE DISPATCHERS TO MONITOR CAREFULLY THOSE LINES WHICH ARE CLOSED-IN AND INOPERATIVE TO PRECLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF 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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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: WE ARE EXPANDING OUR SUPERVISORY SYSTEM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MONITORING AND CONTROL CAPABILITY OF PIPELINE OPERATIONS. THIS PROGRAM IS BEING DONE ON A SYSTEM BY SYSTEM BASIS TO ASSURE THAT COMPREHENSIVE, OPTIMIZED FACILITIES ARE INSTALLED. THIS WORK IS PROCEEDING ON THE BASIS OF SYSTEM PRIORITIES DETERMINED FROM VARIOUS PARAMETERS INCLUDING POTENTIAL HAZARDS, LINE CONDITIONS, ETC.