NTSB Safety Recommendation P-75-015

NTSB safety recommendation P-75-015.

EXAMINE THE WALL THICKNESS OF THE EXISTING PIPING IN AREAS OF POTENTIAL LIQUID ACCUMULATION AT THE GOLDSMITH PLANT AND AT OTHER GAS PROCESSING PLANTS OR TAKE OTHER REMEDIAL ACTION TO INSURE THAT SIMILAR CONDITIONS FOR POTENTIAL PIPELINE FAILURE ARE NOT PRESENT. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1975-11-14

Adopted Date: 1975-10-22

Overall Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 13, 1975, THE PERSONNEL ON DUTY AT THE EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY'S GAS PROCESSING PLANT AT GOLDSMITH, TEXAS, HEARD GAS LEAKING FROM A PIPE. FIVE EMPLOYEES BEGAN A SEARCH FOR THE ORIGIN OF THE LEAK. A 12-INCH PIPE RUPTURED, AND GAS ROARED AT 550-PSIG PRESSURE THROUGH THE NOW-OPEN END OF THE 12-INCH PIPE AND IGNITED VIOLENTLY SECONDS LATER. THREE OF THE FIVE EMPLOYEES WERE KILLED, AND TWO WERE BURNED AND HOSPITALIZED.

Ntsbnumber: PLD76XR001

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: El Paso Natural Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Addressee Acronym: EPNG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1976-03-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR. FROM EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY: DURING RECONSTRUCTION OF GOLDSMITH COMPRESSOR PLANT, AN INSPECTION OF THE UNDAMAGED PORTIONS OF THE PLANT WAS MADE TO LOCATE AND ELIMINATE AREAS OF POTENTIAL PIPE FAILURE AND/OR SAFETY, ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS DEPARTMENTS USING ULTRASONIC TESTING EQUIPMENT. ALL MAJOR GAS, FUEL GAS AND HIGH PRESSURE VENT GAS LINES WERE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR EXTERNAL CORROSION AND DAMAGE, AND SPOT CHECKED ULTRASONICALLY FOR INTERNAL CORROSION. IN AREAS WHERE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH SIMILAR PIPING CONFIGURATION AND CONDITIONS INDICATED POTENTIAL HIGH CORROSION OR EROSION RATES, AN INTENSIVE ULTRASONIC INSPECTION WAS MADE. IN EITHER TYPE INSPECTION, QUESTIONABLE PIPING WAS REPLACED. WE HAVE NOW COMPLETED OUR PROGRAM, BUT PLAN TO CONTINUE THIS INSPECTION ON A REGULARLY SCHEDULED BASIS.

Addressee Acronym: EPNG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1976-06-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence