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Pacific Region

Spills > 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons) in State Waters

September 28, 1997 - Torch Operating Company

Pollution: 163 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Pipeline
Rig:
Platform:		 Platform Irene
Pt. Pedernales		 Lease: P00441
Area:
Block: 		Santa Maria Basin
332		 Cause: Welding Flaws
Distance to Shore: 2 Miles Water Depth: 242 Feet
Pipeline Segment: N/A Pipeline Diameter: 20 Inches

Remarks: Pipeline break in the flange metal connecting a spool piece. The break in the line occurred approximately 31,000' northeast of the platform in 122' of water in the State water portion of the pipeline southwest of Pt. Pedernales. The platform was automatically shut down due to low pipeline pressure at 2217 hours on September 28, 1997. The release involved more than 1,000 barrels of oil/water emulsion, of which the oil content was estimated to be 163 bbl. Found embrittlement of the heat affected zone and possible insufficient preheating of the metal prior to welding. Pipeline spanning introduced stresses on the flange that may have contributed to the break.

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Last Updated: 06/24/08, 03:23 PM

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