NTSB Safety Recommendation P-73-036

NTSB safety recommendation P-73-036.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE EXXON PIPE LINE COMPANY: NOT OPERATE OR CLOSE IN THE COMYN TO SATSUMA SYSTEM FROM HEARNE TO SATSUMA AT A PRESSURE GREATER THAN 400 P.S.I.G., UNTIL AT LEAST THIS SECTION OF LINE HAS BEEN HYDROSTATICALLY TESTED SUCCESSFULLY AND FOUND TO BE SAFE FOR HIGHER OPERATING PRESSURES.

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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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: THE SPECIFIC PIPELINE SECTION THAT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE, NO. 6-8 INCH BETWEEN HEARNE AND CLAY GATE PLANT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT THE POINT OF FAILURE, INSPECTED BY A LINALOG SURVEY, FILLED WITH DRY NITROGEN AND REMOVED FROM SERVICE. AT PRESENT WE HAVE NO PLANS TO RETURN THE LINE TO SERVICE.