NTSB Safety Recommendation P-79-017

NTSB safety recommendation P-79-017.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY: DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AN INSPECTION PROGRAM ADEQUATE TO DETECT CURVATURE ABERRATION. INSPECTIONS SHOULD BE COMPLETED AT LEAST QUARTERLY. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1979-07-13

Adopted Date: 1979-07-13

Overall Date Closed: 1988-03-14

Synopsis: ON JUNE 10, 1979, THE PILOT OF A HELICOPTER REPORTED SIGHTING OIL ON THE SURFACE OF THE ATIGUN RIVER NEAR THE ROUTE OF THE ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY'S 48-INCH CRUDE OIL PIPELINE. THE OIL WAS SEEN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF ATIGUN PASS, 166 MILES SOUTH OF THE PIPELINE TERMINAL AT PRUDHOE BAY, ALASKA. ALYESKA WAS NOTIFIED AND BEGAN SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES AT 9 A.M. BY 9:28 A.M. THE NORTH SECTION OF THE LINE BETWEEN PUMP STATIONS NOS. 1 AND 4 WAS SHUT DOWN. BY 10:46 A.M. THE ENTIRE LINE HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN. THE PIPE BETWEEN PUMP STATIONS NOS. 4 AND 5 WAS DRAINED.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA79FP018

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1988-03-14

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1979-08-17

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY LTR: THE PROGRAM OUTLINED IN RESPONSE TO P-79-16 WILL BE ALYESKA'S PROGRAM FOR SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING AND WILL BEGIN AFTER THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION. IT WILL BE LESS PRECISE THAN IS EXPECTED FROM THE CURVATURE PIG, BUT WILL TAKE PLACE MORE FREQUENTLY THAN QUARTERLY. AT THIS POINT, WE BELIEVE IT IS PREMATURE TO ESTABLISH THE FREQUENCY FOR THE USE OF THE CURVATURE MONITORING PIG. ANALYSIS OF THE DATA FROM THE CURRENT CURVATURE PIG RUNS WILL BE USED IN PART AS THE BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THIS FREQUENCY.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1987-10-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: NO RESPONSE--FOLLOWUP LETTER.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1987-11-17

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: ON JANUARY 20, 1980, ALYESKA SUBMITTED ITS PIPELINE STABILITY MONITORING PROGRAM TO THE ACTING AUTHORIZED OFFICER, OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROJECTS, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. THIS PROGRAM, WHICH ASSURED INSPECTIONS WOULD BE COMPLETED AT LEAST QUARTERLY, COMBINED A KALIPER PIG MONITORING PROGRAM, GEOTECHNICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM, THERMISTOR MONITORING PROGRAMS, FOUNDATION EVALUATION, PIPE SETTLEMENT CONFIRMATION AND PIPE STRESS CONFIRMATIVES AS COMPONENTS IN AN OVERALL MONITORING SCHEME. EXCEPT FOR MINOR MODIFICATIONS PROMPTED BY EXPERIENCE AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES, THE JANUARY 20, 1980 PIPELINE STABILITY MONITORING PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE AND ACTIVELY PURSUED TO PRESENT.G PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE AND

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1979-09-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-03-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1987-10-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence