NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-018

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-018.

AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE JET OIL COMPANY: ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE TO ASSURE THAT THE LOCATION OF ANY PIPELINE POTENTIALLY IN CONFLICT WITH A DRILLING LOCATION BE DETERMINED BEFORE INITIATING ANY ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY AFFECT THE EXISTING GRADE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-06-09

Adopted Date: 1982-04-20

Overall Date Closed: 1989-05-19

Synopsis: ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1981, NEAR ACKERLY, TEXAS, THE CHAPPARRAL PIPELINE, A REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 12-INCH STEEL PIPE LINE OWNED BY THE SANTA FE PIPELINE COMPANY, WAS DAMAGED BY A RATHOLE DRILL BIT; THE WALL OF THE PIPE WAS WEAKENED, AND IT RUPTURED UNDER THE 1,100 PSIG OPERATING PRESSURE. THE ETHANE-PROPANE MIXTURE IN THE PIPELINE BEGAN TO ESCAPE AND WAS IGNITED BY THE DRILLING RIG ENGINE. THE ENSUING EXPLOSION AND FIRE KILLED THREE PERSONS; CRITICALLY BURNED ONE PERSON, WHO DIED 4 DAYS LATER; DESTROYED THE RATHOLE DRILLING RIG, A PICKUP TRUCK, A ROAD GRADER, A COMPACTOR, AND 60 ACRES OF COTTON; AND BURNED 12,749 BARRELS (535,458 GALLONS) OF ETHANE-PROPANE MIXTURE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT; THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SIMILAR PIPELINE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DRILLING ACTIVITIES. THE SAFETY BOARD IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO PIPELINES CAUSED BY DRILLING ACTIVITIES AND THE USE OF OUTSIDE EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT SINCE THE LOCATION OF A PIPELINE CAN BE ASCERTAINED IN SEVERAL WAYS.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA81MP023

Report Number: PAR-82-02

Addressee Name: Jet Oil Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1989-05-19

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-05-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-02-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence