# PLAINS PIPELINE, L.P. — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 420165001
- **title:** PLAINS PIPELINE, L.P. — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2016-01-06
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.442(a), 195.442(c)(5), 195.442(c)(6)(i).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-420165001.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-420165001.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-420165001
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/420165001
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving PLAINS PIPELINE, L.P.. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 195.442(a),  195.442(c)(5),  195.442(c)(6)(i). The case was opened on 2016-01-06 and is reported as closed as of 2017-03-27. Proposed civil penalty: $190,000. Assessed civil penalty: $184,300. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

420165001_Final Order_03022017.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420165001/420165001_Final%20Order_03022017.pdf

420165001_Final Order_03022017_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420165001/420165001_Final%20Order_03022017_text.pdf

420165001_NOPV PCP_01062016.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420165001/420165001_NOPV%20PCP_01062016.pdf

420165001_NOPV PCP_01062016_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420165001/420165001_NOPV%20PCP_01062016_text.pdf

420165001_Operator Response to Notice_02112016.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420165001/420165001_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_02112016.pdf

420165001_Final Order_03022017_text.pdf

March 2, 2017
Mr. Greg Armstrong
Chairman and CEO
Plains Pipeline, LP
333 Clay Street, Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77002
Re: CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes a finding of
violation and assesses a reduced civil penalty of $184,300. The penalty payment terms are set
forth in the Final Order. This enforcement action closes automatically upon receipt of payment.
Service of the Final Order by certified mail is effective as provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Alan K. Mayberry
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Mr. Rodrick M. Seeley, Director, Southwest Region, OPS
Mr. William Dean Gore Jr., Managing Director, Environmental and Regulatory
Compliance, Plains Pipeline, LP
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 )
)
Plains Pipeline, LP, ) CPF No. 4-2016-5001
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
FINAL ORDER
From January to August 2015, 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 investigation of an accident involving the pipeline system operated by Plains
Pipeline, LP (Plains or Respondent) in Midland, Texas. Respondent is a subsidiary of Plains All
American Pipeline, LP, and employs a variety of owned and long-term leased physical assets
throughout the United States and Canada, including approximately 17,800 miles of active crude
oil pipelines, natural gas liquid pipelines, and gathering systems.1
The investigation arose out of a release of 500 barrels of crude oil from Plains’ Mesa to Basin
12” pipeline on January 1, 2015. The release was the result of a pipeline failure initiated from a
dent caused by outside force damage incurred during a construction project that lasted from
August to October 2014.2
As a result of the investigation, the Director, Southwest Region, OPS (Director), issued to
Respondent, by letter dated January 6, 2016, a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed Civil
Penalty (Notice). In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Notice proposed finding that
Plains had violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.442, and proposed assessing a civil penalty of $190,000 for
the alleged violation.
Plains responded to the Notice by letter dated February 11, 2016 (Response). The company
contested the allegation of violation, offered additional information in response to the Notice,
and requested that the proposed civil penalty be reduced or eliminated. Respondent did not
request a hearing and therefore has waived its right to one.
1 Pipeline Safety Violation Report (Violation Report), (January 6, 2016) (on file with PHMSA), at 1.
2 Failure Analysis of Mesa to Basin 12-3/4 inch Pipeline, Final Report, Stress Engineering Services, Inc. (February
20, 2015).



CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Page 2
FINDING OF VIOLATION
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. Part 195, as follows:
Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.442, which states in
relevant part:
§ 195.442 Damage prevention program.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, each operator of a buried
pipeline must carry out, in accordance with this section, a written program to
prevent damage to that pipeline from excavation activities. For the purpose of this
section, the term “excavation activities” includes excavation, blasting, boring,
tunneling, backfilling, the removal of above-ground structures by either explosive
or mechanical means, and other earthmoving operations.
(b) . . . .
(c) The damage prevention program required by paragraph (a) of this section
must at a minimum:
(1) . . . .
(5) Provide for temporary marking of buried pipelines in the area of excavation
activity before, as far as practical, the activity begins.
(6) Provide as follows for inspection of pipelines that an operator has reason to
believe could be damaged by excavation activities:
(i) The inspection must be done as frequently as necessary during and after the
activities to verify the integrity of the pipeline. . . .
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.442 by failing to carry out its
written program to prevent damage to the pipeline from excavation activities. Specifically, the
Notice alleged that Plains failed to carry out its written Damage Prevention Program,3 and failed
to follow its Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure4 on four separate occasions.
On August 14, 2014, Strike Construction, LLC (Strike) notified the one-call center regarding a
planned construction project for Plains (Sunrise Project) in the area of Plains’ Mesa to Basin
pipeline.5 The one-call operator issued the ticket with an erroneous location instruction.6 Plains’
Mesa office received the one-call ticket and the Mesa line locator marked the pipelines in
accordance with the ticket.7 Plains’ Basin office did not receive a one-call ticket.8 Plains Basin
3 Plains Operations and Maintenance Procedures Manual, Appendix C.
4 Plains All American Pipeline, LP, Doc No. PAALP-ENG-SPC-PRW-042.
5 Violation Report, at 5.
6 Response, at 2.
7 Id.
8 Id.



CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Page 3
facility is managed by Plains Pipeline, LP and Plains Mesa facility is managed by Plains
Marketing, LP.9 The Sunrise Project was set to begin August 18, 2014. The Mesa to Basin
pipeline was not marked until September 5, 2014, when the Basin District Manager noticed work
in the vicinity and had a staff member mark the line.10 The Sunrise Project ended on October 17,
2014.11 Plains’ failure to follow its procedures resulted in outside force damage to the Mesa to
Basin pipeline, which was dented in the excavation activities. This third-party damage
ultimately led to the failure and release of 500 barrels of crude oil from Plains’ Mesa to Basin
12” pipeline on January 1, 2015.12
The four separate occasions where it is alleged that Plains failed to carry out its Damage
Prevention Program and failed to follow its Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure
were as follows:
1. The Notice alleged that Plains failed to carry out its written Damage Prevention Program
and failed to follow its Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure when it failed to
provide temporary marking of its buried Mesa to Basin pipeline upon receipt of an initial one-
call ticket on August 14, 2014.
In its Response, Plains contended that personnel complied with the written Damage Prevention
Program. Plains stated that the Plains Basin and Mesa facilities are managed by two different
entities under Plains All American Pipeline, LP, and each facility has its own line locator staff
and areas of responsibility when responding to a one-call ticket. Respondent further stated that
when Strike made the initial one-call dig request, the one-call operator issued the ticket with a
location error. Not knowing that the Basin line locator personnel did not receive the same or
different ticket, the Mesa line locator personnel followed the orders and instructions for the ticket
received.
There is no dispute that the Plains Basin and Plains Mesa facilities are managed by separate
entities; however, both entities utilize the same damage prevention procedures. Additionally, the
one-call ticket positive responses for both lines, which informed the excavator that the lines were
marked, directed the requestor to contact the same entity – Plains All American Pipeline – with
any questions. Plains’ Damage Prevention Program requires its District Office to “be
responsible for all activities involved with excavation notices including receiving the notice,
researching the notice, dispatching personnel for temporary marking and inspection and
maintaining the documentation.”13 Respondent admitted that the Mesa line locator determined
9 Response, at 2.
10 Id.
11 Violation Report, at 9.
12 Failure Analysis of Mesa to Basin 12-3/4 inch Pipeline, Final Report, Stress Engineering Services, Inc. (February
20, 2015).
13 Plains Operations and Maintenance Procedures Manual, Appendix C, Damage Prevention Program, at 3.



CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Page 4
the location on the one-call ticket was incorrect; however, there has been no evidence that the
District Office dispatched personnel to mark the Mesa to Basin line.
With respect to the first allegation, I find that Plains failed to carry out its written Damage
Prevention Program and failed to follow its Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure
when it failed to provide temporary marking of its buried Mesa to Basin pipeline upon receipt of
an initial one-call ticket on August 14, 2014.
2. The Notice alleged that Plains failed to carry out its written Damage Prevention Program
when it failed to immediately correct the incorrect information on the one-call ticket. Plains also
allegedly failed to refresh its line markings after marking the line on September 5, 2014.
Plains also asserted that when its Mesa line locator received the one-call ticket coordinates, he
drove to the location and contacted Strike. The locator notified Strike that the location being
marked in accordance with the one-call ticket instructions was different than the construction site
location. Plains argued that under state damage prevention requirements, it is the excavator’s
responsibility to notify the one-call operator of any incorrect information on the ticket.14
Additionally, Respondent stated that on September 5, 2014, the Basin District Manager noticed
the work in the vicinity of the 12” pipeline without visible markers. Plains claimed that out of an
abundance of caution, a Basin staff member marked the line, and because this marking was not
initiated through a one-call program, correction of the location and subsequent renewals did not
trigger re-marking the pipeline.
The state damage prevention requirements cited by Respondent do not excuse the operator from
following its damage prevention program. Plains’ Damage Prevention Program requires that it
“take necessary steps to correct or prevent unsafe conditions” when there is third party
construction activity discovered without prior approval or without a one-call notification. Plains
discovered that the one-call ticket location was incorrect, but did not take the necessary steps to
correct the information to prevent unsafe conditions. Additionally, even though Plains marked
the Mesa to Basin line on September 5, 2014, Plains knew the construction activity was ongoing,
yet did not take necessary steps to prevent unsafe conditions, such as re-marking the line.
With respect to the second allegation, I find that Plains failed to carry out its written Damage
Prevention Program when it failed to take necessary steps to correct or prevent unsafe
conditions. Plains did not immediately correct the incorrect information on the one-call ticket
and failed to refresh its line markings after marking the line on September 5, 2014.
3. The Notice alleged that Plains failed to follow its Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill
Procedure when it failed to determine the depth of cover over its buried pipeline and failed to
share the information with the excavator operator when marking the line on September 5, 2014.
Plains claimed its Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure does not apply in this
case, but rather is intended for new construction, repair, inspection, or maintenance-type
14 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 18.4 (Sept. 1, 2007).



CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Page 5
excavations. Plains further stated that there were no plans to excavate the 12” pipeline, or
conduct a bellhole or pothole examination of the 12” pipeline because it was approximately 45
feet from the construction area. Plains contended prevailing industry practice is to refuse to
make available any depth information to the contractor or excavator. Respondent further
contended that while the new electronic, multi-frequency locating equipment provides quick and
user-friendly locating, the depth accuracy cannot be guaranteed, and will influence an excavator
to dig unsafely.
Plains’ Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure, Section 6 directs Plains and its
contractors to “[d]etermine the depth of the targeted pipe and share the information with the
Excavator operator.” (Emphasis added). In the incident at hand, Strike’s Sunrise Project did not
involve work on the Mesa to Basin line. While the 12” Mesa to Basin pipeline was within the
construction area, it was not the “targeted pipe” for Strike’s construction project.
With respect to the third allegation, I find that Plains did not fail to follow its Pipeline
Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure in that the Mesa to Basin pipeline was not the
“targeted pipe” as referenced in Section 6 of the Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and Backfill
Procedure.
4. The Notice alleged that Plains failed to carry out its written Damage Prevention Program
when it failed to inspect the Mesa to Basin, 12” pipeline during the excavation activity that led to
the damage of the pipeline. Plains Engineering and Basin personnel were relying on a contract
construction inspector to observe and inspect the pipeline excavation activities for the duration
of the Sunrise Project (August 2014 – October 2014).
Finally, Plains maintains it met its procedural requirements. Respondent stated that its written
Damage Prevention Program states “[a] ‘Company representative’ must be present at all times
during any excavation within 10 feet of Company pipelines or above ground facilities.”
Respondent further stated that “Company representative” is defined as a contract inspector as
long as said inspector is not an employee of the company performing the excavation –
essentially, a third-party inspector representing Plains. The third-party inspector during the
subject excavation activities was contracted through Tulsa Inspection Service.
There is no disagreement that a contract construction inspector observed and inspected the
pipeline excavations activities during Strike’s project. However, there is no evidence the
functions and activities that the inspector was supposed to perform, such as ensuring only hand
tools are used within 24 inches of the pipeline, ensuring the line is supported, ensuring the
pipeline has been marked, and ensuring there is no risk to the pipeline from grading operations
and excavation activities, were carried out on the Mesa to Basin pipeline during the excavation
activity.
With respect to the fourth allegation, I find that Plains failed to carry out its written Damage
Prevention Program when it failed to inspect the Mesa to Basin, 12” pipeline during the
excavation activity that led to the damage of the pipeline.



CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Page 6
Conclusion
In conclusion, Plains failed to carry out its written Damage Prevention Program and its Pipeline
Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure when it did not research the notice and dispatch
personnel for temporary marking of the Mesa to Basin 12” pipeline, when it did not take
necessary steps to correct or prevent unsafe conditions, and when it failed to provide for
inspection of the Mesa to Basin 12” pipeline during the excavation activity that led to the
damage of the pipeline. However, Plains did not fail to carry out its Pipeline
Excavation/Ditching and Backfill Procedure when it allegedly failed to determine the depth of
cover over its buried pipeline and share the information with the excavator operator.
Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.442 by failing to carry out its written program to prevent damage to pipeline from
excavation activities on three separate occasions.
This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action
taken against Respondent.
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
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 $190,000 for the violations cited above.
Item 1: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $190,000 for Respondent’s violation of
49 C.F.R. § 195.442, for failing to carry out a written damage prevention program to prevent
damage to pipeline from excavation activities. As discussed above, Plains presented several
arguments in favor of a penalty elimination or reduction.
I find that, with respect to culpability, Respondent failed to take appropriate action to comply
with a clearly applicable requirement. When Respondent discovered the incorrect location on
the one-call ticket, it should have researched the notice and dispatched personnel for temporary
marking and inspection of the Mesa to Basin pipeline. Additionally, Strike was performing a
construction project for Plains. It stands to reason that Plains should have known where the
Mesa to Basin pipeline was located in relation to the construction project and should have taken
necessary steps to correct or prevent unsafe conditions, per its Damage Prevention Program.



CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Page 7
The gravity of the violation in this case was quite serious, insofar as it was a causal factor in the
failure. Because of the violation, pipeline integrity was significantly compromised and resulted
in a release of crude oil that harmed the environment by causing soil contamination.15
Preventing damage to pipelines caused by excavation activity is an important part of operating a
pipeline safely. Pipeline operators are obligated to provide notice of their damage prevention
programs to excavators including information about pipeline location marking, utilizing the one-
call system prior to excavation activity, and what to do if the pipeline is damaged during
excavation. Safety is compromised when an unintended release of hazardous liquid occurs, as it
increases the risk of harm to the public and the environment.
While I acknowledge that Plains has taken corrective actions, those actions taken after the
violation had already occurred do not warrant reducing the civil penalty. When considering the
good faith of Respondent in attempting to comply with the pipeline safety regulations, PHMSA
only recognizes good-faith efforts by an operator to interpret and follow the regulations prior to
the violation, not those after the violation.
Upon consideration of all of Respondent’s arguments, I am unconvinced that a penalty reduction
is warranted with respect to the three occasions of Respondent failing to follow its Damage
Prevention Program, as described in instances 1, 2, and 4 above. I do, however, find a penalty
reduction is warranted because Plains did not fail to follow its Pipeline Excavation/Ditching and
Backfill Procedure, as described in instance 3 above.
Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria for the Item
cited above, I assess Respondent a reduced total civil penalty of $184,300.
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,
6500 S MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 79169. The Financial Operations Division
telephone number is (405) 954-8845.
Failure to pay the $184,300 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.
Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.243, Respondent has the right to submit a Petition for Reconsideration of
this Final Order. The petition must be sent to: Associate Administrator, Office of Pipeline
15 Violation Report, at 3.



CPF No. 4-2016-5001
Page 8
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 the 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 but does not stay any other provisions of the Final Order, including
any required corrective actions. If Respondent submits payment of the civil penalty, the Final
Order becomes the final administrative decision and the right to petition for reconsideration is
waived.
The terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon service in accordance with 49
C.F.R. § 190.5.
March 2, 2017
___________________________________ __________________________
Alan K. Mayberry Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 23448