# BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 120115013
- **title:** BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2011-12-29
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.452(h)(4)(i)(d), 195.575.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120115013.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120115013.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120115013
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/120115013
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 195.452(h)(4)(i)(d),  195.575. The case was opened on 2011-12-29 and is reported as closed as of 2014-06-06. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

120115013_Closure Letter_06062014.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120115013/120115013_Closure%20Letter_06062014.pdf

120115013_Closure Letter_06062014_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120115013/120115013_Closure%20Letter_06062014_text.pdf

120115013_Final Order_07272012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120115013/120115013_Final%20Order_07272012.pdf

120115013_Final Order_07272012_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120115013/120115013_Final%20Order_07272012_text.pdf

120115013_NOPV-PCO_12292011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120115013/120115013_NOPV-PCO_12292011.pdf

120115013_NOPV-PCO_12292011_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120115013/120115013_NOPV-PCO_12292011_text.pdf

120115013_Operator Response_01272012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120115013/120115013_Operator%20Response_01272012.pdf

120115013_Closure Letter_06062014_text.pdf

U.S. Department Of Transportation Pipeline and 609.989.2171
Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
820 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 103
West Trenton, NJ 08628
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS MAIL
June 06, 2014
Thomas Scott Collier
Vice President, Performance Assurance & Asset Integrity
Buckeye Partners, L.P.
Five TEK Park
9999 Hamilton Boulevard
Breinigsville, PA 18031
CPF 1-2011-5013
Dear Mr. Collier:
On July 27, 2012, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety,
issued to Buckeye Partners, L.P. (Buckeye) a Final Order in the above-referenced case. This Order
included a Compliance Order.
Please be advised, we reviewed your quarterly reports that you submitted in accordance with the
requirements set forth in this Compliance Order. We also reviewed your letter dated April 11, 2014
wherein you stated that Buckeye’s Line 742 crossing the Delaware River was abandoned on January 16,
2014 (inadvertently dated January 16, 2004). Pursuant to Item 5 of this Compliance Order, after Buckeye
has abandoned said portion of the pipeline, Buckeye will not be required to comply with the other terms
of this Compliance Order.
Accordingly, this case is now closed and no further action is contemplated with respect to the matters
involved in this case. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Byron E. Coy, PE
Director, Eastern Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

120115013_Final Order_07272012_text.pdf

JULY 27, 2012
Mr. Clark Smith
President & Chief Executive Officer
Buckeye Partners, L.P.
One Greenway Plaza
Suite 600
Houston, TX 77046
Re: CPF No. 1-2011-5013
Dear Mr. Smith:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes findings of
violation and specifies actions that need to be taken by Buckeye Partners, L.P. to comply with
the pipeline safety regulations. When the terms of the compliance order have been completed, as
determined by the Director, Eastern Region, this enforcement action will be closed. Service of
the Final Order by certified mail is deemed effective upon the date of mailing, or as otherwise
provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Wiese
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Mr. Thomas S. (Scott) Collier, Vice President, Performance Assurance & Asset Integrity
Buckeye Partners, LP – 5 Tek Park, 9999 Hamilton Blvd., Breinigsville, PA 18031
Mr. Byron Coy, Director, Eastern Region, PHMSA
Mr. Alan Mayberry, Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, PHMSA
CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
______________________________
)
In the Matter of )
)
Buckeye Partners, L.P., ) CPF No. 1-2011-5013
)
Respondent. )
______________________________)
FINAL ORDER
On July 23, 2009, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office
of Pipeline Safety (OPS) received a notification through the Integrity Management Database
(Notification #365) from Buckeye Partners, L.P. (BPL or Respondent) regarding a dent located
on the top portion of its PY742PL pipeline that met the regulatory criteria for immediate repair.
On September 9, 2010, BPL applied for a Special Permit to waive compliance with the
regulatory requirement for immediate repair.1 On September 14, 2011, PHMSA denied BPL’s
request for a Special Permit. BPL did not make immediate repairs. BPL’s PY742PL pipeline
runs from Paulsboro, New Jersey and crosses the Delaware River to the Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania Airport, a High Consequence Areas (HCAs). 2 BPL owns and operates
approximately 6,000 miles of pipelines transporting refined petroleum products and highly
volatile liquids.3 Approximately 3,558 of those pipeline miles are in or could affect HCAs and
are covered by BPL’s integrity management program.
As a result of BPL’s failure to make immediate repairs, the Director, Eastern Region, PHMSA,
(Director), issued to Respondent, by letter dated December 29, 2011, a Notice of Probable
Violation and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207,
the Notice proposed finding that Respondent had committed violations of 49 C.F.R. Part 195 and
proposed ordering Respondent to take certain measures to correct the alleged violations.
1 See Special Permit Docket # PHMSA 2010-0261.
2 An HCA is defined as: (1) a commercially navigable waterway, which means a waterway where a substantial
likelihood of commercial navigation exists; (2) a high population area, which means an urbanized area, as defined
and delineated by the Census Bureau, that contains 50,000 or more people and has a population density of at least
1,000 people per square mile; (3) an other populated area, which means a place, as defined and delineated by the
Census Bureau, that contains a concentrated population, such as an incorporated or unincorporated city, town,
village, or other designated residential or commercial area; and (4) an unusually sensitive area, as defined in
§ 195.6. 49 C.F.R. § 195.450.
3 http://www.buckeye.com/BusinessOperations/tabid/56/Default.aspx and
http://www.buckeye.com/AboutUs/tabid/54/Default.aspx (last accessed on June 22, 2012).



2
BPL responded to the Notice by letter dated January 27, 2012 (Response). The company did not
contest the allegations of violation but provided information concerning the corrective actions it
will take. Respondent did not request a hearing and therefore has waived its right to one.
FINDINGS OF VIOLATION
Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.452(h)(4)(i)(D), which
states:
§ 195.452 Pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas.
(h) What actions must an operator take to address integrity issues?
(1) ….
(4) Special requirements for scheduling remediation —(i) Immediate
repair conditions. An operator’s evaluation and remediation schedule
must provide for immediate repair conditions. To maintain safety, an
operator must temporarily reduce operating pressure or shut down the
pipeline until the operator completes the repair of these conditions. An
operator must calculate the temporary reduction in operating pressure
using the formula in Section 451.6.2.2 (b) of ANSI/ASME B31.4
(incorporated by reference, see § 195.3). An operator must treat the
following conditions as immediate repair conditions:
(A) …
(D) A dent located on the top of the pipeline (above the 4 and 8
o’clock positions) with a depth greater than 6% of the nominal pipe
diameter.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated § 195.452(h)(4)(i)(D) by failing to remediate an
immediate repair condition, and by failing to temporarily reduce operating pressure or shut down
the pipeline until the repair had been completed. Specifically, the Notice alleged that BPL failed
to reduce the pressure or shut down its PY742PL pipeline until it repaired an 8.2% deep dent
located on the top of the pipeline. On July 23, 2009, BPL notified PHMSA that an ILI report
indicated that a dent, an immediate repair condition, had been found on its PY742PL pipeline,
about 75 feet off the north bank of the Delaware River.
4 Per § 195.452, BPL was required to
schedule an immediate repair. Instead, on September 9, 2010, over a year later, BPL requested a
special permit to waive this requirement. On September 14, 2011, PHMSA denied BPL’s
request for a Special Permit to waive the regulatory requirement for immediate repair.5
4 Section 195.452(h)(4)(i)(B) defines an “immediate repair condition” as a condition where a “calculation of the
remaining strength of the pipe shows a predicted burst pressure less than the established maximum operating
pressure at the location of the anomaly.” Section 195.452(h)(4)(iii)(D) defines a “180-day condition” as a condition
where a “calculation of the remaining strength of the pipe shows an operating pressure that is less than the current
established maximum operating pressure at the location of the anomaly.”
5 Buckeye Request for Special Permit dated September 9, 2010, Violation Report at Exhibit A-4.



3
Therefore, BPL was required to bring the PY742PL pipeline into compliance. Respondent did
not take immediate action to reduce operating pressure or shut down its PY742PL pipeline and
stated that it would replace the line by the end of 2012.
6
In its Response, Respondent did not contest the allegation in the Notice that it failed to reduce
the pressure or shut down the PY742PL pipeline until repair of the dent but expressed its intent
to comply with the proposed compliance order. 7 BPL stated that it plans to install a replacement
control valve and related equipment to better protect the pipeline from pressure surges.
Pipeline operators are obligated to take immediate action including temporarily reducing
operating pressure or shutting down a line until repairs can be made when anomalies meeting the
criteria for immediate repair conditions are identified in the course of an integrity assessment.
Respondent failed to reduce the pressure or shut down the pipeline until an immediate repair
condition was repaired as required by § 195.452(h)(4(i)(D). The failure to do so can have direct
safety impacts. Accordingly, having reviewed the record, I find that Respondent violated
49 C.F.R. § 195.452(h)(4)(i)(D).
Item 2: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.575(a)-(e), which states:
§ 195.575 Which facilities must I electrically isolate and what
inspections, tests, and safeguards are required?
(a) You must electrically isolate each buried or submerged pipeline
from other metallic structures, unless you electrically interconnect and
cathodically protect the pipeline and the other structures as a single unit.
(b) You must install one or more insulating devices where electrical
isolation of a portion of a pipeline is necessary to facilitate the application
of corrosion control.
(c) You must inspect and electrically test each electrical isolation to
assure the isolation is adequate.
(d) If you install an insulating device in an area where a combustible
atmosphere is reasonable to foresee, you must take precautions to prevent
arcing.
(e) If a pipeline is in close proximity to electrical transmission tower
footings, ground cables, or counterpoise, or in other areas where it is
reasonable to foresee fault currents or an unusual risk of lightning, you
must protect the pipeline against damage from fault currents or lightning
and take protective measures at insulating devices.
6 Buckeye’s Special Permit application (PHMSA 2010-0261), dated September 9, 2010, included an engineering
analysis final report on the dent. Pipeline Safety Violation Report CPF 1-2011-5013 (Violation Report) at Exhibit
A-1.
7 Response at 1.



4
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated § 195.575 (a)-(e) by failing to electrically isolate,
inspect, and test the pipeline and failing to take protective measures at insulating devices against
damage from fault currents or lightning. Specially, the Notice alleged that cathodic protection
tests on Respondent’s PY742PL pipeline and casing indicated a metallic short since
February 18, 2011.8
In its Response, Respondent did not contest the allegation in the Notice but expressed its intent
to comply with the proposed compliance order.
appropriate permits, it will install a new river crossing by the directional drill method and
abandon the dented pipe section under the river. Accordingly, after considering all the evidence,
I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.575(a)-(e) by failing to electrically isolate,
inspect, and test the pipeline and failing to take protective measures at insulating devices against
damage from fault currents or lightning.
9 BPL stated that, after acquiring all of the
COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to Items 1 and 2 in the Notice for
violations of 49 C.F.R. §§ 195.452(h)(4)(i)(D), and 195.575(a)-(e), respectively.
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60118(a), each person who engages in the transportation of hazardous liquids
or who owns or operates a pipeline facility is required to comply with the applicable safety
standards established under chapter 601. Pursuant to the authority of 49 U.S.C. § 60118(b) and
49 C.F.R. § 190.217, Respondent is ordered to take the following actions to ensure compliance
with the pipeline safety regulations applicable to its operations:
1. With respect to the violation of § 195.452(h)(4)(i)(D), (Item 1), Respondent must verify
that the replacement control valve is installed correctly on the PY742PL pipeline and that
the set point is adjusted to protect the integrity of the pipeline from pressure surges.
Respondent must demonstrate to the Director that the replacement control valve is
correctly installed on the PY742PL pipeline within 30 days of receipt of this Final Order.
2. With respect to the violation of § 195.452(h)(4)(i)(D), (Item 1), Respondent must
complete the repair of the subject dent on PY742PL pipeline within 18 months of receipt
of this Final Order. The repair must be performed in accordance with § 195.422 and
BPL’s Operation and Maintenance Manual, as appropriate. Respondent must
demonstrate to the Director that this repair is complete.
3. With respect to the violation of § 195.575 (Item 2), Respondent must bring its PY742PL
pipeline into compliance with § 195.575, within 18 months of receipt of this Final Order.
8 Buckeye Partners Letter of Decision with Buckeye Partners Special Permit Analysis and Findings, Docket #
PHMSA 2010-0261, Violation Report at Exhibit A-5.
9 Response at 2.



5
4. Buckeye Partners, L.P. must commence periodic shut-in integrity tests on its PY742PL
pipeline. Respondent must perform the tests at least once every sixteen (16) days. The
initial test must be performed within 30 days of receipt of this Final Order. Buckeye
must continue to perform these shut-in integrity tests until items 2 and 3 above are
completed. These tests must include, but is not limited to:
a. Suspending operation at a moderate pressure level for one (1) hour and documenting
the pressure over that interval; and
b. Analyzing any pressure variations that occurred during that one (1) hour interval.
5. Buckeye Partners, L.P. must complete all the above items within the stipulated timeframe
unless Buckeye abandons this portion of the pipeline. Respondent may abandon this
portion of the pipeline in accordance to § 195.402(c)(10) and Buckeye’s Operation and
Maintenance Manual, as appropriate. After Buckeye has abandoned this portion of the
pipeline, Buckeye will no longer be required to comply with this Compliance Order.
6. Regarding the above items, Buckeye Partners, L.P. must make all related records and
procedures available for review by the Director, upon request.
7. After receipt of this Final Order, Buckeye Partners, L.P. must submit quarterly summary
reports detailing the actions taken regarding the above Items, with supporting
documentation to the Director, Eastern Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, 820 Bear Tavern Rd, Suite 103, West Trenton, NJ 08628. Please
reference CPF# 1-2011-5013 in the title of the quarterly summary reports.
8. Buckeye Partners, L.P. is requested (not mandated) to maintain documentation of the
safety improvement and compliance costs associated with fulfilling this Compliance
Order and submit the total to Byron Coy, Director, Eastern Region, Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. It is requested that these costs be reported in
two categories: (1) total cost associated with preparation/revision of plans, procedures,
studies, and analyses; and (2) total cost associated with replacements, additions, and other
physical changes to the pipeline infrastructure.
The Director may grant an extension of time to comply with the required item upon a written
request timely submitted by the Respondent demonstrating good cause for an extension.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the administrative assessment of civil penalties
not to exceed $100,000 for each violation for each day the violation continues or in referral to the
Attorney General for appropriate relief in a district court of the United States.



6
Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.215, Respondent has a right to submit a Petition for Reconsideration of
this Final Order. The petition must be sent to: Associate Administrator, Office of Pipeline
Safety, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC
20590, with a copy sent to the Office of Chief Counsel, PHMSA, at the same address. PHMSA
will accept petitions received no later than 20 days after receipt of service of this Final Order by
the Respondent, provided they contain a brief statement of the issue(s) and meet all other
requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 190.215. Unless the Associate Administrator, upon request, grants a
stay, the terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon service in accordance with
49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
___________________________________ __________________________
Jeffrey D. Wiese Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
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