# BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 120155019
- **title:** BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2015-10-15
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.432(b).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120155019.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120155019.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120155019
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/120155019
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving BUCKEYE PARTNERS, LP. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 195.432(b). The case was opened on 2015-10-15 and is reported as closed as of 2017-04-20. Proposed civil penalty: $50,400. Assessed civil penalty: $50,400. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

120155019_Closure Letter_04202017.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120155019/120155019_Closure%20Letter_04202017.pdf

120155019_Closure Letter_04202017_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120155019/120155019_Closure%20Letter_04202017_text.pdf

120155019_Final Order_12152016.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120155019/120155019_Final%20Order_12152016.pdf

120155019_Final Order_12152016_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120155019/120155019_Final%20Order_12152016_text.pdf

120155019_NOPV_PCP_PCO_10152015.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120155019/120155019_NOPV_PCP_PCO_10152015.pdf

120155019_NOPV_PCP_PCO_10152015_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120155019/120155019_NOPV_PCP_PCO_10152015_text.pdf

120155019_Operator Response to Notice_11032015.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120155019/120155019_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_11032015.pdf

120155019_Closure Letter_04202017_text.pdf

OVERNIGHT EXPRESS DELIVERY
April 20, 2017
Thomas S. (Scott) Collier
Vice President, Performance Assurance
Buckeye Partners, L.P.
Five TEK Park
9999 Hamilton Boulevard
Breinigsville, PA 18031
CPF 1-2015-5019
Dear Mr. Collier:
On December 15, 2016, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
issued to Buckeye Partners, L.P. a Final Order in the above-referenced case. The Final Order
included a Compliance Order and Civil Penalty assessment. Based on our review of the
documentation you provided and confirmation of payment of the civil penalty, it has been
determined that you have complied with the terms of this 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,
Robert Burrough
Acting Director, Eastern Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

120155019_Final Order_12152016_text.pdf

December 15, 2016
Mr. Clark C. Smith
President & CEO
Buckeye Partners, LP
One Greenway Plaza
Houston, Texas 77046
Re: CPF No. 1-2015-5019
Dear Mr. Smith:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes one finding
of violation, assesses a civil penalty of $50,400, and specifies actions that need to be taken by
Buckeye Partners, LP, to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. The penalty payment
terms are set forth in the Final Order. When the civil penalty has been paid and the terms of the
compliance order 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,
Alan K. Mayberry
Acting Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Mr. Robert Burrough, Acting Director Eastern Region, OPS
Mr. Thomas S. Collier, Vice President, Performance Assurance, Buckeye Partners, LP,
5 TEK Park, 9999 Hamilton Boulevard, Breinigsville, PA 18031
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, LP, ) CPF No. 1-2015-5019
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
FINAL ORDER
From July 29, 2013, through August 2, 2013, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative of
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety
(OPS), conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of the facilities and records of Buckeye
Partners, LP (Buckeye or Respondent), in Macungie, Pennsylvania. Buckeye owns and operates
more than 5,000 miles of liquid petroleum-product pipelines throughout the United States.1
As a result of the inspection, the Director, Eastern Region, OPS (Director), issued to Respondent,
by letter dated October 15, 2015, a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty, and
Proposed Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Notice
proposed finding that Buckeye had violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b) and proposed assessing a
civil penalty of $50,400 for the alleged violation. The Notice also proposed ordering Respondent
to take certain measures to correct the alleged violation.
Buckeye responded to the Notice by letter dated November 3, 2015 (Response). The company
did not contest the allegations of violation, but provided additional records and requested that the
proposed civil penalty be reduced. Respondent did not request a hearing and therefore has
waived its right to one.
FINDING OF VIOLATION
In its Response, Buckeye did not contest the allegation in the Notice that it violated 49 C.F.R.
Part 195, as follows:
Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b), which states:
1 Pipeline Safety Violation Report (Violation Report), (Oct. 15, 2015) (on file with PHMSA), at 1.



CPF No. 1-2015-5019
Page 2
§ 195.432 Inspection of in-service breakout tanks.
(a) . . .
(b) Each operator must inspect the physical integrity of in-service
atmospheric and low-pressure steel above-ground breakout tanks
according to [American Petroleum Institute Standard (API Std)] 653
(except section 6.4.3, Alternative Internal Inspection Interval)
(incorporated by reference, see §195.3). However, if structural conditions
prevent access to the tank bottom, its integrity may be assessed according
to a plan included in the operations and maintenance manual under
§195.402(c)(3). The risk-based internal inspection procedures in API Std
653, section 6.4.3 cannot be used to determine the internal inspection
interval.
The Notice quoted paragraph 6.3.2.1 of Section 6.3.2 of API Std 653, Tank Inspection,
Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction, which states:
All tanks shall be given a visual external inspection by an authorized
inspector. This inspection shall be called the external inspection and must
be conducted at least every 5 years or RCA/4N years (where RCA is the
difference between the measured shell thickness and the minimum
required thickness in mils, and N is the shell corrosion rate in mils per
year) whichever is less. Tanks may be in operation during this inspection.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b) by failing to inspect the
physical integrity of in-service atmospheric and low-pressure steel aboveground breakout tanks
according to API Std 653. Specifically, the Notice alleged that Buckeye failed to perform a
visual external inspection in accordance with API Std 653 for breakout tank 214. During the
inspection, the PHMSA inspector reviewed Storage Tank Inspection Records for breakout tank
214 from 1996 through 2013, and Buckeye's procedures for tank inspections, dating back to
2001. The records indicated that visual external inspections were conducted on Tank 214 on the
following dates:
1. December 28, 1996;
2. January 2, 2002; and
3. March 27, 2013.
The Notice further alleged that the PHMSA inspector had asked if there were other tank-
inspection records available that covered the timeframe from 2002 through 2013. Buckeye
personnel indicated that there were no additional records and admitted that the company had not
performed the required external tank inspection but could not explain why. The inspection
conducted in 2013 exceeded the five-year maximum interval by six years, two months, and 25
days (i.e., 2,275 days).
In its Response, Buckeye indicated that it had also performed an inspection of Tank 214 on
February 28, 2008, in addition to those described in the Notice, and asked that the finding for



CPF No. 1-2015-5019
Page 3
Item 1 be amended and the proposed penalty reduced.2 Upon review of the Response and the
documents relating to the 2008 inspection, I find that the time between the January 2, 2002
inspection and the recently-submitted February 28, 2008 inspection still exceeds the five-year
maximum interval between inspections, as does the time between the February 28, 2008
inspection and the March 27, 2013 inspection.
As for the proposed penalty, this will be discussed in the “Assessment of Penalty” section below.
Accordingly, based upon a review of all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated
49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b) by failing to inspect the physical integrity of in-service atmospheric and
low-pressure steel aboveground breakout tanks according to API Std 653.
This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action
taken against Respondent.
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122, Respondent is subject to an administrative civil penalty not to exceed
$200,000 per violation for each day of the violation, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for any
related series of violations. In determining the amount of a civil penalty under 49 U.S.C.
§ 60122 and 49 C.F.R. § 190.225, I must consider the following criteria: the nature,
circumstances, and gravity of the violation, including adverse impact on the environment; the
degree of Respondent’s culpability; the history of Respondent’s prior offenses; and any effect
that the penalty may have on its ability to continue doing business; and the good faith of
Respondent in attempting to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. In addition, I may
consider the economic benefit gained from the violation without any reduction because of
subsequent damages, and such other matters as justice may require. The Notice proposed a total
civil penalty of $50,400 for the violation cited above.
Item 1: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $50,400 for Respondent’s violation of 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.432(b), for failing to inspect the physical integrity of in-service atmospheric and low-
pressure steel aboveground breakout tanks according to API Std 653. Buckeye did not contest
the allegation of violation but requested a reduction in the proposed penalty, and submitted
evidence that supported its request.3 The evidence consisted of a copy of the in-service
inspection report that had been prepared for the February 28, 2008 inspection of breakout tank
214. I have reviewed this report, which confirms that the company did indeed perform the
required inspection in 2008 but still exceeded the five-year maximum interval between the
February 28, 2008 inspection and the March 27, 2013 inspection by 27 days.
This new evidence, however, does not eliminate the violation or alter the facts and circumstances
considered in calculating the proposed penalty. I have reviewed Section E of the Violation
Report and the penalty calculation itself and confirmed that a reduction in the duration of the
violation did not affect the amount of the proposed penalty. On the contrary, the proposed
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
2 Response, at 1.
3 Id., and attachments.



CPF No. 1-2015-5019
Page 4
penalty was based largely on the risk posed by the potential effect of the violation on High
Consequence Areas, the company’s history of prior offenses, and its failure to carry out specific
maintenance and inspection activities. I can therefore find no reason to reduce the proposed
penalty and Buckeye has not presented any evidence or argument that would either change the
penalty assessment criteria discussed in the Violation Report or otherwise support a penalty
reduction.
Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I assess
Respondent a civil penalty of $50,400 for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b).
In summary, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I assess
Respondent a total civil penalty of $50,400.
Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days of service. Federal regulations
(49 C.F.R. § 89.21(b)(3)) require such payment to be made by wire transfer through the Federal
Reserve Communications System (Fedwire), to the account of the U.S. Treasury. Detailed
instructions are contained in the enclosure. Questions concerning wire transfers should be
directed to: Financial Operations Division (AMK-325), Federal Aviation Administration, Mike
Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500 S Macarthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 79169. The
Financial Operations Division telephone number is (405) 954-8845.
Failure to pay the $50,400 civil penalty will result in accrual of interest at the current annual rate
in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 3717, 31 C.F.R. § 901.9 and 49 C.F.R. § 89.23. Pursuant to
those same authorities, a late penalty charge of six percent (6%) per annum will be charged if
payment is not made within 110 days of service. Furthermore, failure to pay the civil penalty
may result in referral of the matter to the Attorney General for appropriate action in a district
court of the United States.
COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to Item 1 in the Notice for violations of
49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b). 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 § 195.432(b) (Item 1), Respondent must identify
any breakout tank at the Macungie facility that has not had a visual external
inspection, in accordance with API Std 653, within the past five years from the
date of this Final Order, or RCA/4N years (where RCA is the difference between
the measured shell thickness and the minimum required thickness in mils, and N
is the shell corrosion rate in mils per year), whichever is less, and shall create a
detail sheet for each identified tank showing the source data and calculations for



CPF No. 1-2015-5019
Page 5
the inspection interval.
2. Buckeye must then conduct a visual external inspection on the identified tanks, in
accordance with API Std 653 and Buckeye's procedures for conducting visual
external inspections.
3. Buckeye must provide a summary report demonstrating compliance with all the
above items to the Director, Eastern Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration, 820 Bear Tavern Rd, Suite 103, West Trenton, NJ 08628
within 120 days after receipt of the Final Order.
It is requested (not mandated) that Buckeye maintain documentation of the safety improvement
costs associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order and submit the total to Byron Coy, P.E.,
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 changes to pipeline infrastructure.
The Director may grant an extension of time to comply with any of the required items upon a
written request timely submitted by the Respondent and demonstrating good cause for an
extension.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the administrative assessment of civil penalties
not to exceed $200,000 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. Under 49 C.F.R.
§ 190.243, 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. § 190.243. The filing of a petition automatically stays the payment of any civil penalty
assessed. Unless the Associate Administrator, upon request, grants a stay, all other terms and
conditions of this Final Order are effective upon service in accordance with
49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
December 15, 2016
___________________________________ __________________________
Alan K. Mayberry Date Issued
Acting Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 16991