# EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION-TERMINALS — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520085011W
- **title:** EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION-TERMINALS — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2008-05-29
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 195.565, 195.581.
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520085011w
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520085011W
**body:**

Warning Letter involving EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION-TERMINALS. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 195.565,  195.581. The case was opened on 2008-05-29 and is reported as closed as of 2008-05-29. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520085011W_operator response_08042008.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520085011W/520085011W_operator%20response_08042008.pdf

520085011W_warning letter_05292008.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520085011W/520085011W_warning%20letter_05292008.pdf

520085011W_warning letter_05292008.pdf

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials safety
Administration
12300 W. Dakota Ave., Suite 11 0
Lakewood, CO 80228
WARNING LETTER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
May 29,2008
Mr. Jim Rose
Director
Exxon Mobil Pipeline Company
12851 166'~ Street
Cerritos, CA 90703-21 03
CPF 5-2008-501 1 W
Dear Mr. Rose:
Between August 20-23,2007 a representative of the Washington Utilities and Transportation
Commission (WUTC) inspected your Spokane Terminal in Spokane, Washington, pursuant to
Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code. The WUTC is an authorized Interstate Agent and
representative for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
As a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed probable violations of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and the
probable violations are:
1. 8195.581 Which pipelines must I protect against atmospheric corrosion and what
coating material may I use?
(a) You must clean and coat each pipeline or portion of pipeline that is exposed to
the atmosphere, except pipelines under paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) Coating material must be suitable for the prevention of atmospheric corrosion.
(c) Except portions of pipelines in offshore splash zones or soil-to-air interfaces,
you need not protect against atmospheric corrosion any pipeline for which you



demonstrate by test, investigation, or experience appropriate to the environment of
the pipeline that corrosion will-
(1) Only be a light surface oxide; or
(2) Not affect the safe operation of the pipeline before the next scheduled
inspection.
Atmospheric Corrosion Monitoring records were not found for two manifold areas. One
area was the transfer manifold located next to the storage tanks. The second manifold is
located adjacent to the Yellowstone Pipeline Facility. This manifold is owned by Exxon
Mobile but maintained by Yellowstone Pipeline. Neither Yellowstone nor Exxon
produced atmospheric corrosion monitoring records for this manifold equipment. It was
noted that atmospheric monitoring records were available for the storage tank areas.
2. 5195.565 How do I install cathodic protection on breakout tanks?
After October 2,2000, when you install cathodic protection under Sec. 195.563(a)
to protect the bottom of an aboveground breakout tank of more than 500 barrels
(79.5m3) capacity built to API Specification 12F, API Standard 620, or API
Standard 650 (or its predecessor Standard 12C), you must install the system in
accordance with API Recommended Practice 651. However, installation of the
system need not comply with API Recommended Practice 651 on any tank for
which you note in the corrosion control procedures established under Sec.
195.402(~)(3) why compliance with all or certain provisions of API Recommended
Practice 651 is not necessary for the safety of the tank.
Voltage drop needs to be considered when interpreting corrosion data. Pipe to soil
readings were collected during the inspection. "On" potentials for tanks 502 and 508
were - 1.087 V(on) and - 1 .I85 (on) respectively. "Off' readings were -0.6 1 8 V (off)
and -0.626 V (off) respectively. Annual Corrosion Monitoring data consisted of "on"
readings only. IR drop was not properly considered in interpreting Corrosion Data.
Under 49 United States Code, 5 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000
for each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any
related series of violations. We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents
involved in this case, and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty
assessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct the item(s) identified in this
letter. Failure to do so will result in Exxon Mobil Pipeline Company being subject to additional
enforcement action.
No reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to
CPF 5-2008-5011W. Be advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement
action is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any portion of your
responsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along with the
complete original document you must provide a second copy of the document with the portions



you believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you believe
the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b).
Director, Western Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
PHP-500 T. Finch (Activity ID: 1 18855)
WUTC - Mr. Dave Lykken
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