# GREKA — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520120008W
- **title:** GREKA — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2012-04-09
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 192.491(c).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520120008w.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520120008w.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520120008w
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520120008W
**body:**

Warning Letter involving GREKA. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.491(c). The case was opened on 2012-04-09 and is reported as closed as of 2012-04-09. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520120008W_warning letter_04092012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520120008W/520120008W_warning%20letter_04092012.pdf

520120008W_warning letter_04092012_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520120008W/520120008W_warning%20letter_04092012_text.pdf

520120008W_warning letter_04092012_text.pdf

WARNING LETTER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
April 9, 2012
Mr. Brent Stromberg
Vice President
Greka Energy
P.O. Box 5489
Santa Maria, CA 93458
CPF 5-2012-0008W
Dear Mr. Stromberg:
On October 17-12, 2011, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code inspected
your Orcutt Hill to Suey Junction pipeline system in Santa Maria, CA.
As a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed a probable violation of
the Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items
inspected and the probable violation is:
1. §192.491 Corrosion Control Records.
(c) Each operator shall maintain a record of each test, survey, or inspection
required by this subpart in sufficient detail to demonstrate the adequacy of
corrosion control measures or that a corrosive condition does not exist. These
records must be retained for at least 5 years, except that records related to §§
192.465 (a) and (e) and 192.475(b) must be retained for as long as the
pipeline remains in service.



Greka Energy is not adequately maintaining corrosion control records for their pipeline
system. At the time of the inspection, there were no records indicating that electrical
isolation readings between the pipeline and the casing were taken during the past three
(3) years, pursuant to §192.467(a) & (d). Corrosion control records for this type of test
must be maintained for five (5) years. This reading is important to verify that the
pipeline and the casing are not electrically shorted; thereby posing a potential corrosion
condition does not exist.
Under 49 United States Code, § 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 identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in Greka Energy 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 5-2012-0008W. 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).
Sincerely,
Chris Hoidal
Director, Western Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
PHP-500 B. Brown (#132886)
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