# Failure Report-Enbridge Energy LP 2/19/04

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PHMSA FIR, Enbridge Energy LP, 2004-02-19
- **title:** Failure Report-Enbridge Energy LP 2/19/04
- **source type:** incident
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2010-10-17
- **effective on:** 2004-02-19
- **summary:** Enbridge Energy LP; Hazardous Liquid; MN; failure 2004-02-19; apparent cause: Natural Force.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-fir-failure-report-enbridge-energy-lp-21904.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-fir-failure-report-enbridge-energy-lp-21904.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-fir-failure-report-enbridge-energy-lp-21904
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/safety-reports/failure-report-enbridge-energy-lp-21904
**body:**

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Memorandum
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration Central Region Office Office of Pipeline Safety
Date: September 30, 2010
Subject: Summary Incident Report
Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. (Op ID 11169)
Deer River, MN to Floodwood, MN (Unit 3083)
Line 2 Crude Oil Leak
February 19, 2004
SMART Activity 110735
From: James Bunn, Staff Engineer original signed
To: David Barrett, Director – Central Region, PHP-300 original signed
1.0 SUMMARY
At approximately 12:52 p.m. on February, 19 2004, Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. (“Enbridge”)
discovered a crude oil leak on their Line 2 Pipeline in Itasca County, Grand Rapids, MN (the
“Incident”). An estimated 1003 barrels (bbls) of crude oil was released from the pipeline. The
Incident occurred on the pipeline right of way (ROW) near milepost number 1007 (MP 1007),
northwest of the City of Grand Rapids, MN. No fatalities or injuries occurred as a result of the
Incident. The Incident did occur in a high consequence area (HCA), drinking water (DW) and
other populated area (OPA) was impacted. The total cost of the Incident, pipeline repair and
environmental cleanup, is estimated at $1,100,000. There were no service interruptions or
supply impacts as a result of the Incident.
2.0 PIPELINE SYSTEM
Enbridge’s Line 2 is a 26-inch diameter crude oil pipeline that runs from Gretna, Manitoba,
Canada to Superior, WI. At the Incident location, the pipeline is constructed of API 5L X-52
line pipe manufactured by A.O. Smith in 1956. The pipeline is 26-inch diameter by 0.281-inch
wall thickness, electric flash welded (EFW) type pipe, coated with a coal tar enamel system.
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The Line 2 maximum operating pressure (MOP) is 809 psig.
3.0 DISCUSSION
An Enbridge maintenance crew excavating an in-line inspection (ILI) indication discovered the
crude oil leak. At 12:52 p.m. Enbridge Notified the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety
(MNOPS) Duty Officer that a leak had occurred. Brian Pierzina, MNOPS Senior inspector,
conducted an on-site investigation of the Incident.
In September 2003, Enbridge ran an in-line inspection (ILI) magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and
geometry tool through this portion of Line 2. The ILI tool identified a potential dent with metal
loss at MP 1007. Enbridge scheduled excavation of the MP 1007 indication for February of
2004. During the indication excavation, oily soil was discovered. As the excavation continued,
signs of fresh product were encountered. Once it was determined that the pipeline was most
likely leaking at MP 1007, the pipeline was shut down.
In situ visual inspection of the damaged pipe joint revealed a 2-inch long through wall crack in
the pipe body. A small amount of oil was leaking through the crack. The crack was located in a
dent on the bottom of the pipe. A rock was identified in the backfill under the pipe. The rock
location was coincident with the dent.
The rock was eventually removed from under the pipeline.
4.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Enbridge employees were dispatched to the Incident site. Once the repair was completed and
inspected the contaminated soil and ground water was remediated.
5.0 RETURN TO SERVICE
The pipeline was shut down at approximately 11:30 a.m. on February 20, 2004.
After the field investigation was complete, a one foot long Type B, tight fitting repair sleeve was
installed in the area where the Incident occurred.
At the time of the Incident, Line 2 operating pressure was approximately 750 psig. No reduction
in operating pressure was required as a result of this incident.
The pipeline was returned to service at approximately 10:30 p.m. on February 20, 2004.
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6.0 FINDINGS
The Enbridge Line 2 MP 1007 Incident was caused by a crack located within a dent that initiated
on the pipe external surface. The crack was apparently caused by a rock found in the backfill at
the location of the dent.
EXHIBITS
Information regarding the Incident was reported by Enbridge to the National Response Center
(NRC) on March 2, 2004 in NRC Report No. 714880 (Exhibit A), and to the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in Accident Report No. 20040063 dated
March 16, 2004 (Exhibit B).
Exhibit A NRC Report No.714880
Exhibit B Accident Report No. 20040063
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EXHIBIT A
NRC REPORT No. 714880

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Page 1 of 2
NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER 1-800-424-8802
*** For Public Use ***
Information released to a third party shall comply with any
applicable federal and/or state Freedom of Information and Privacy Laws
Incident Report # 714880
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION
*Report taken at 12:28 on 02-MAR-04
Incident Type: PIPELINE
Incident Cause: EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Affected Area:
The incident occurred on 19-FEB-04 at 11:30 local time.
Affected Medium: SOIL
____________________________________________________________________________
SUSPECTED RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Organization: ENBRIDGE ENERGY CO.
SUPERIOR, WI 54880
Type of Organization: PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
____________________________________________________________________________
INCIDENT LOCATION
County: ITASCA
City: GRAND RAPIDS State: MN
Distance from City:
Direction from City: N
MILEPOST 1007.33 NEAR 20TH ST. NW AND 8TH AVE
____________________________________________________________________________
RELEASED MATERIAL(S)
CHRIS Code: OIL Official Material Name: OIL: CRUDE
Also Known As:
Qty Released: 10 BARREL(S)
____________________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
MATERIAL RELEASED FROM A 26" PIPELINE DUE TO A DENT WITH A CRACK IN THE LINE.
____________________________________________________________________________
INCIDENT DETAILS
Pipeline Type: TRANSMISSION
DOT Regulated: YES
Pipeline Above/Below Ground: BELOW
Exposed or Under Water: NO
Pipeline Covered: UNKNOWN
____________________________________________________________________________
DAMAGES
Fire Involved: NO Fire Extinguished: UNKNOWN
INJURIES: NO Hospitalized: Empl/Crew: Passenger:
FATALITIES: NO Empl/Crew: Passenger: Occupant:
EVACUATIONS: NO Who Evacuated: Radius/Area:
Damages: YES $55000
Length of Direction of
Closure Type Description of Closure Closure Closure
Air:
N
Road: N
Waterway: N
Track: N
Major
Artery:
N
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Passengers Transferred: UNKNOWN
Environmental Impact: UNKNOWN
Media Interest: NONE Community Impact due to Material: NO
____________________________________________________________________________
REMEDIAL ACTIONS
EXCAVATED SOIL, CLEANUP COMPLETED
Release Secured: YES
Release Rate:
Estimated Release Duration:
____________________________________________________________________________
WEATHER
Weather: CLEAR, ºF
____________________________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL AGENCIES NOTIFIED
Federal:
State/Local: MN DUTY OFFICER, MN PCA, MN OPS
State/Local On Scene:
State Agency Number: 57773
____________________________________________________________________________
NOTIFICATIONS BY NRC
ATSDR MN (PRIMARY)
02-MAR-04 12:35
U.S. EPA V (PRIMARY)
02-MAR-04 12:37
NOAA 1ST CLASS BB RPTS FOR MN (PRIMARY)
02-MAR-04 12:35
RSPA OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY (PRIMARY)
02-MAR-04 12:42
MN DEM ATTN: MS. GOELZ (PRIMARY)
02-MAR-04 12:35
____________________________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CALLER HAD NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
___________________________________________________________________________
*** END INCIDENT REPORT # 714880 ***
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EXHIBIT B
ACCIDENT REPORT No. 20040063

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NOTICE: This report is required by 49 CFR Part 195. Failure to report can result in a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for each violation Form Approved
for each day that such violation persists except that the maximum civil penalty shall not exceed $500,000 as provided in 49 USC 60122 OMB No. 2137-0047
U.S. Department of Transportation
Research and Special Programs
Administration
ACCIDENT REPORT – HAZARDOUS LIQUID
PIPELINE SYSTEMS
Report Date
No.
(DOT Use Only)
INSTRUCTIONS
Important: Please read the separate instructions for completing this form before you begin. They clarify the
information requested and provide specific examples. If you do not have a copy of the instructions,
you can obtain one from the Office Of Pipeline Safety Web Page at http://ops.dot.gov.
PART A – GENERAL REPORT INFORMATION
Original Report Supplemental Report Final Report
1. a. Operator's OPS 5-digit Identification Number (if known) / ____________/
2. b. If Operator does not own the pipeline, enter Owner’s OPS 5-digit Identification Number (if known) / ___ /
c. Name of Operator ______________________________________________________________________________________
d. Operator street address _______________________________________________________________________________
e. Operator address ______________________________________________________________________________________
City, County, State and Zip Code
IMPORTANT: IF THE SPILL IS SMALL, THAT IS, THE AMOUNT IS AT LEAST 5 GALLONS BUT IS LESS THAN 5 BARRELS,
COMPLETE THIS PAGE ONLY, UNLESS THE SPILL IS TO WATER AS DESCRIBED IN 49 CFR §195.52(A)(4) OR IS OTHERWISE
REPORTABLE UNDER §195.50 AS REVISED IN CY 2001.
2. Time and date of the accident
/ / / / / / / /
hr. month day year
3. Location of accident
(If offshore, do not complete a through d. See Part C.1)
a. Latitude: _____ Longitude:
__________
(if not available, see instructions for how to provide specific location)
b. _________________________________________________
City, and County or Parish
c. _________________________________________________
State and Zip Code
d. Mile post/valve station or survey station no.
(whichever gives more accurate location)
_________________________________
4. Telephone report
/ / / / / / / /
5. Losses (Estimated)
Public/Community Losses reimbursed by operator:
Public/private property damage $_______________
Cost of emergency response phase $_______________
Cost of environmental remediation $_______________
Other Costs $_______________
(describe) _____________________________________
Operator Losses:
Value of product lost $_______________
Value of operator property damage $_______________
Other Costs $_______________
(describe) _____________________________________
Total Costs $_______________
NRC Report Number month day year
6. Commodity Spilled Yes No
(If Yes, complete Parts a through c where applicable)
a. Name of commodity spilled ___________________________
b. Classification of commodity spilled:
HVLs /other flammable or toxic fluid which is a gas at ambient conditions
CO2 or other non-flammable, non-toxic fluid which is a gas at ambient conditions
Gasoline, diesel, fuel oil or other petroleum product which is a liquid at ambient conditions
Crude oil
c. Estimated amount of commodity
involved :
Barrels
Gallons (check only if spill is
less than one barrel)
Amounts:
Spilled : ____________
Recovered: ____________
CAUSES FOR SMALL SPILLS ONLY (5 gallons to under 5 barrels) : (For large spills [5 barrels or greater] see Part H)
Corrosion Natural Forces Excavation Damage Other Outside Force Damage
Material and/or Weld Failures Equipment Incorrect Operation Other
PART B – PREPARER AND AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
(type or print) Preparer's Name and Title Area Code and Telephone Number
Preparer's E-mail Address Area Code and Facsimile Number
Authorized Signature (type or print) Name and Title Date Area Code and Telephone Number
Form RSPA F 7000-1 ( 01-2001 ) Page 1 of 4
OPS Data Facsimile

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PART C – ORIGIN OF THE ACCIDENT (Check all that apply)
1. Additional location information
a. Line segment name or ID _______________________
b. Accident on Federal land other than Outer Continental
Shelf Yes No
c. Is pipeline interstate? Yes No
Offshore: Yes No (complete d if offshore)
d. Area ___________________ Block # ______________
State / / or Outer Continental Shelf
2. Location of system involved (check all that apply)
Operator’s Property
Pipeline Right of Way
High Consequence Area (HCA)?
Describe HCA____________________________________
3. Part of system involved in accident
Above Ground Storage Tank
Cavern or other below ground storage facility
Pump/meter station; terminal/tank farm piping and
equipment, including sumps
Other Specify: _________________________________
Onshore pipeline, including valve sites
Offshore pipeline, including platforms
If failure occurred on Pipeline, complete items a - g:
4. Failure occurred on
Body of Pipe Pipe Seam Scraper Trap
Pump Sump Joint
Component Valve Metering Facility
Repair Sleeve Welded Fitting Bolted Fitting
Girth Weld
Other (specify)
Year the component that failed was installed: / /
5. Maximum operating pressure (MOP)
a. Estimated pressure at point and time of accident:
____ PSIG
b. MOP at time of accident:
___________PSIG
c. Did an overpressurization occur relating to the accident?
Yes No
a. Type of leak or rupture
Leak: Pinhole Connection Failure (complete sec. H5)
Puncture, diameter (inches) _________
Rupture: Circumferential – Separation
Longitudinal – Tear/Crack, length (inches) __________
Propagation Length, total, both sides (feet) _________
N/A
Other _______________________________
b.Type of block valve used for isolation of immediate section:
Upstream: Manual Automatic Remote Control
Check Valve
Downstream: Manual Automatic Remote Control
Check Valve
c. Length of segment isolated _______ ft
d. Distance between valves _______ ft
e. Is segment configured for internal inspection tools? Yes No
f. Had there been an in-line inspection device run at the point of
failure? Yes No Don’t Know
Not Possible due to physical constraints in the system
g. If Yes, type of device run (check all that apply)
High Resolution Magnetic Flux tool Year run: ______
Low Resolution Magnetic Flux tool Year run: ______
UT tool Year run: ______
Geometry tool Year run: ______
Caliper tool Year run: ______
Crack tool Year run: ______
Hard Spot tool Year run: ______
Other tool Year run: ______
PART D – MATERIAL SPECIFICATION PART E – ENVIRONMENT
1. Nominal pipe size (NPS) / / in.
2. Wall thickness / / in.
3. Specification SMYS / /
4. Seam type
5. Valve type
6. Manufactured by in year / /
1. Area of accident In open ditch
Under pavement Above ground
Underground Under water
Inside/under building Other ____________
2. Depth of cover: inches
PART F – CONSEQUENCES
1. Consequences (check and complete all that apply)
a. Fatalities Injuries c. Product ignited Yes No d. Explosion Yes No
Number of operator employees: _______ _______ e. Evacuation (general public only) / / people
Contractor employees working for operator: _______ _______ Reason for Evacuation:
General public: _______ _______ Precautionary by company
Totals: _______ _______ Evacuation required or initiated by public official
b. Was pipeline/segment shutdown due to leak? Yes No f. Elapsed time until area was made safe:
If Yes, how long? ______ days ______ hours _____ minutes / / hr. / / min.
2. Environmental Impact
a. Wildlife Impact: Fish/aquatic Yes No e. Water Contamination: Yes No (If Yes, provide the following)
Birds Yes No Amount in water _________ barrels
Terrestrial Yes No Ocean/Seawater No Yes
b. Soil Contamination Yes No Surface No Yes
If Yes, estimated number of cubic yards: _________
Groundwater No Yes
c. Long term impact assessment performed: Yes No Drinking water No Yes (If Yes, check below.)
d. Anticipated remediation Yes No Private well Public water intake
If Yes, check all that apply: Surface water Groundwater Soil Vegetation Wildlife
Form RSPA F 7000-1 ( 01-2001 ) Page 2 of 4
OPS Data Facsimile

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PART G – LEAK DETECTION INFORMATION
1. Computer based leak detection capability in place? Yes No
2. Was the release initially detected by? (check one): CPM/SCADA-based system with leak detection
Static shut-in test or other pressure or leak test
Local operating personnel, procedures or equipment
Remote operating personnel, including controllers
Air patrol or ground surveillance
A third party Other (specify) _________________
3. Estimated leak duration days ____ hours ____
PART H – APPARENT CAUSE
Important: There are 25 numbered causes in this Part H. Check the box corresponding to the
primary cause of the accident. Check one circle in each of the supplemental categories
corresponding to the cause you indicate. See the instructions for guidance.
b. Visual Examination
Localized Pitting
General Corrosion
Other ____________________
H1 – CORROSION
a. Pipe Coating
c. Cause of Corrosion
1. External Corrosion
Bare
Galvanic Atmospheric
Coated
Stray Current Microbiological
Cathodic Protection Disrupted
2. Internal Corrosion
Stress Corrosion Cracking
Selective Seam Corrosion
(Complete items a – e
Other ____________________
where applicable.) d. Was corroded part of pipeline considered to be under cathodic protection prior to discovering accident?
No Yes, Year Protection Started: / /
e. Was pipe previously damaged in the area of corrosion?
No Yes => Estimated time prior to accident: / / years / / months Unknown
H2 – NATURAL FORCES
3. Earth Movement => Earthquake Subsidence Landslide Other
4. Lightning
5. Heavy Rains/Floods => Washouts Flotation Mudslide Scouring Other
6. Temperature => Thermal stress Frost heave Frozen components Other
7. High Winds
H3 – EXCAVATION DAMAGE
8. Operator Excavation Damage (including their contractors/Not Third Party)
9. Third Party (complete a-f)
a. Excavator group
General Public Government Excavator other than Operator/subcontractor
b. Type: Road Work Pipeline Water Electric Sewer Phone/Cable
Landowner-not farming related Farming Railroad
Other liquid or gas transmission pipeline operator or their contractor
Nautical Operations Other ________
c. Excavation was: Open Trench Sub-strata (boring, directional drilling, etc…)
d. Excavation was an ongoing activity (Month or longer) Yes No If Yes, Date of last contact /_________/
e. Did operator get prior notification of excavation activity?
Yes; Date received: / / mo. / / day / ______/ yr. No
Notification received from: One Call System Excavator Contractor Landowner
f. Was pipeline marked as result of location request for excavation? No Yes (If Yes, check applicable items i - iv)
i. Temporary markings: Flags Stakes Paint
ii. Permanent markings:
iii. Marks were (check one) : Accurate Not Accurate
iv. Were marks made within required time? Yes No
H4 – OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
10. Fire/Explosion as primary cause of failure => Fire/Explosion cause: Man made Natural
11. Car, truck or other vehicle not relating to excavation activity damaging pipe
12. Rupture of Previously Damaged Pipe
13. Vandalism
Form RSPA F 7000-1 ( 01-2001 ) Page 3 of 4
OPS Data Facsimile

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H5 – MATERIAL AND/OR WELD FAILURES
Material
14. Body of Pipe => Dent Gouge Bend Arc Burn Other
15. Component => Valve Fitting Vessel Extruded Outlet Other
16. Joint => Gasket O-Ring Threads Other
Weld
17. Butt => Pipe Fabrication Other
18. Fillet => Branch Hot Tap Fitting Repair Sleeve Other
19. Pipe Seam => LF ERW DSAW Seamless Flash Weld
HF ERW SAW Spiral Other
Complete a-g if you indicate any cause in part H5.
a. Type of failure:
Construction Defect => Poor Workmanship Procedure not followed Poor Construction Procedures
Material Defect
b. Was failure due to pipe damage sustained in transportation to the construction or fabrication site? Yes No
c. Was part which leaked pressure tested before accident occurred? Yes, complete d-g No
d. Date of test: / / yr. / / mo. / / day
e. Test medium: Water Inert Gas Other
f. Time held at test pressure: / / hr.
g. Estimated test pressure at point of accident: PSIG
H6 – EQUIPMENT
20. Malfunction of Control/Relief Equipment => Control valve Instrumentation SCADA Communications
Block valve Relief valve Power failure Other
21. Threads Stripped, Broken Pipe Coupling => Nipples Valve Threads Dresser Couplings Other
22. Seal Failure => Gasket O-Ring Seal/Pump Packing Other
H7 – INCORRECT OPERATION
23. Incorrect Operation
a. Type: Inadequate Procedures Inadequate Safety Practices Failure to Follow Procedures
Other _______________________________________
b. Number of employees involved who failed a post-accident test: drug test: / / alcohol test /_________/
H8 – OTHER
24. Miscellaneous, describe:
25. Unknown
Investigation Complete Still Under Investigation (submit a supplemental report when investigation is complete)
PART I – NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE EVENT (Attach additional sheets as necessary)
Form RSPA F 7000-1 (01-2001 ) Page 4 of 4
OPS Data Facsimile
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