Press Releases:
 U.S.
Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 25, 2001
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Debbie Hinz
Tel: 202-366-4831
RSPA 04-01
U.S. Department of Transportation Grants Request for Testing Of Olympic Pipeline in Washington
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS)
today approved Olympic Pipe Line Company's plan to begin filling with diesel
fuel the 16-inch, 37-mile section of pipeline that has been closed since the
explosion in Bellingham, Wash., in June 1999.
OPS will require filling the pipeline with a diesel product to conduct
functional assessments and calibration of sensors and valves along the pipeline,
including their associated monitoring systems. These assessments will be
performed at a lower test pressure than the previous tests that have been
completed which were required by the department's Corrective Action Order. The
department's federal pipeline safety inspectors will monitor the test to
ensure that the system is performing properly. Before the pipeline can resume
operations, the department must be satisfied that it can operate safely. When
that occurs, the Olympic pipeline will be allowed to operate at a reduced
pressure, and under continued monitoring by the department.
Immediately after the explosion, OPS ordered Olympic Pipe Line Company to
perform a series of tests on their entire 400-mile system. During this time,
federal pipeline safety inspectors accompanied and witnessed the necessary tests
and repairs that Olympic Pipe Line was required to make. Additionally, the
department hired a world renowned independent expert to review the testing
results to determine additional sections that may need to be repaired or
replaced on the entire 400 miles system before the department will consider
allowing it to return to full operating pressure.
"The department's number one priority is safety. We will not rest
until we are assured that every known risk to the safety of this pipeline has
been addressed using the most up-to-date technology available," said Edward
Brigham, acting deputy administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the department's agency that includes OPS.
U.S.
Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSPA: 20-00
Friday, August 4, 2000 Contact:
Patricia Klinger
Telephone: 202-366-4831
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Agreement on Additional Safety Tests on the Olympic Pipeline
The U.S.
Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) today announced
that it tentatively agreed to BP Amoco's (the new operating company of Olympic
Pipeline) plan to conduct additional tests, including voluntary hydro-testing,
on their 16- inch line from Allen to
Renton, Washington. Additionally, the company has agreed to use the OPS-mandated
transverse flux tool designed to identify seam-weld and other potential
longitudinal defects on their entire 400-mile pipeline system prior to returning
their pipeline to full service. Olympic is nearing completion of internal
inspection testing of the entire pipeline system with two other
"state-of-the-art" inspection
devices and is performing remedial actions under OPS oversight.
"We are pleased with the direction
that BP Amoco is taking to address the many safety issues the department has
identified with the Olympic Pipeline and to reestablish public confidence. The
Department continues to work with the company on a daily basis to ensure the
long-term safety of the Olympic Pipe Line system," said Kelley S. Coyner,
Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the U.S.
Department of Transportation agency that has oversight over the Office of
Pipeline Safety.
The integrity management plan that BP
Amoco submitted to the Department for our review and approval outlines extensive
testing - both required and voluntary - to assess the current condition of
the pipeline, provide ongoing protection of the pipeline, and periodically
reassess the line's integrity.
During the past year, OPS ordered the
Ferndale to Allen portion of the Olympic Pipe Line to shut down, and to curtail
pressures on the remaining portions of the system. OPS also ordered repairs and
testing on the pipeline, improvements to computer controls, and enhanced
training of controllers. The pipeline has not re-opened for service since the
failure. To date, Olympic has not completed all of the required testing and
repairs.
Under the leadership of the Washington
State congressional delegation the U.S. Congress is currently considering a
number of legislative proposals to improve the safety of oil and gas pipelines
across the nation. Earlier this year Vice President Gore, joined by U.S.
Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater, proposed the Pipeline Safety and
Community Protection Act of 2000, which would strengthen citizens' right to
know about pipelines in their communities.
U.S.
Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSPA: 18-00
Monday, July 31, 2000
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Telephone: 202-366-4831
U.S. Department of Transportation
Invites Public To Meeting on Testing Results of Olympic Pipeline
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office
of Pipeline Safety (OPS) today invited the public to a meeting in Bellingham,
Wash., on Aug. 8, 2000, to discuss the results of an internal pipeline
inspection test conducted by the Olympic Pipe Line Company.
State and local officials will also be present
at the meeting to update the progress in restoring Whatcom Creek and to discuss
the City of Bellingham's agreement with the Olympic Pipe Line Company.
"We look forward to working with the
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to provide the communities
here in Washington with information about the safety measures the department has
ordered Olympic Pipe Line Company to undertake. The Department is taking a
comprehensive approach in addressing any outstanding safety issues with regard
to this particular pipeline," said Kelley S. Coyner, Administrator of the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of
Transportation agency that has oversight over the Office of Pipeline Safety.
The meeting will be hosted by the City of
Bellingham, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) and
the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) and will be held at the
Squalicum High School, 3773 E. McLeow Road, in Bellingham. At 5 p.m., officials
from the WUTC, Washington DOE, Safe Bellingham, OPS and BP Amoco will have
information booths open to the public. Representatives from OPS will be
available to answer questions from the public about the pipeline safety program.
The meeting will officially begin at 7 p.m.
This meeting will give the public an opportunity
to learn more about the results of the internal inspection tests taking place on
the 16-inch pipeline from Ferndale to Allen, Wash. Additionally, the federal
Office of Pipeline Safety will inform the community of mandated safety
improvements that have been completed to date. The meeting will also focus on
the remaining issues to be addressed before the Olympic Pipe Line Company can
resume full operating pressure on the 75-mile segment of pipeline that has been
closed since June 15, 1999.
During the past year, OPS ordered the pipeline
operated by Olympic to be shut down. OPS also ordered repairs and testing on the
pipeline. The pipeline has not re-opened for service since the failure. To date,
Olympic has not completed all of the required testing and repairs. Additionally,
OPS announced on June 2, that it was seeking the largest civil penalty ever
proposed against a pipeline operator in the history of the federal pipeline
safety program in excess of $3 million.
OPS stationed a full-time inspector in
Washington and conducted a joint inspection with the Washington Utilities and
Transportation Commission of all pipelines in the state of Washington. In
addition, OPS participated in a pipeline safety task force convened by
Washington Governor Gary Locke.
Under the leadership of the Washington State
congressional delegation the U.S. Congress is currently considering a number of
legislative proposals to improve the safety of oil and gas pipelines across the
nation. Earlier this year Vice President Gore, joined by U.S. Transportation
Secretary Rodney E. Slater, proposed the Pipeline Safety and Community
Protection Act of 2000, which would strengthen citizens' right to know about
pipelines in their communities.
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSPA 15-00
Thursday, June 8, 2000
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Tel.: (202) 366-4831
U.S. Department of Transportation Forms Partnership with Washington State To Participate in Interstate Pipeline Inspections
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater
today joined with Washington Governor Gary Locke and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray to
announce a partnership between Washington state and U.S. Department of
Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety that will allow Washington state
pipeline safety inspectors to participate in inspections of interstate pipeline
facilities.
"I am pleased to announce with Governor
Locke and Senator Murray a partnership between Washington and the USDOT Office
of Pipeline Safety," Secretary Slater said. "I commend them for their
continued efforts to ensure the safety of the people and the environment along
the pipelines. This agreement highlights all of our continued efforts to ensure
the safety of the people and environment along pipelines."
Today's agreement will increase the
participation of Washington state pipeline safety inspectors in damage
prevention, construction, accident investigations, emergency response
coordination, and other forms of inspection.
Since the tragic pipeline failure in Bellingham,
Wash., in June 1999, the Department has been working closely with Governor
Locke, Senator Murray and other officials in Washington to respond to their
concerns about pipeline safety. Last week, the Department announced that it is
seeking a $3.05 million civil penalty against Olympic Pipeline, owned and
operated by Equilon, for safety violations related to the June 1999 pipeline
failure in Bellingham. That is the largest civil penalty ever proposed against a
pipeline operator in the history of the federal pipeline safety program and
reflects the serious attention the U.S. Department of Transportation is paying
to this.
The partnership agreement mirrors provisions in
the Administration bill, the Pipeline Safety and Community Protection Act of
2000 (S. 2409/H.R. 4276). The Administration's proposed legislation will
strengthen state partnerships with USDOT and allow states to monitor new
construction, investigate accidents and participate in local preparedness and
damage prevention activities.
Under the proposed legislation, USDOT would be
authorized to reimburse up to 100 percent of a state's costs in monitoring new
pipeline construction or investigating accidents. The proposed legislation is
scheduled for Senate Commerce Committee action next week. The legislation also
would increase the public's right to know, making public information about the
safety of pipelines and the steps pipeline companies are taking to protect
people and the environment.
"This legislation presents us the
opportunity to enact the most comprehensive pipeline safety legislation in our
nation's history," Secretary Slater said. "Today I join Governor Locke
and Senator Murray in calling on Congress to enact legislation to strengthen our
pipeline safety program to better protect people and the environment from the
threats posed by pipelines."
U.S.
Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSPA 14-00
Friday, June 2, 2000
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Tel.: (202) 366-4831
U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks $3.05 Million Penalty Against Olympic Pipeline For Safety Violations in Pipeline Failure
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (RSPA) today announced it is
seeking the largest civil penalty ever proposed against a pipeline operator in
the history of the federal pipeline safety program.
The $3.05 million civil penalty, proposed today
from PHMSA's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), is against Olympic Pipeline, owned
and operated by Equilon, for safety violations related to the June 1999 pipeline
failure in Bellingham, Wash.
"Tragic events like this pipeline failure
must never happen again," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater
said. "This civil penalty is one of a series of actions we have and are
taking to help protect the people and environment along this pipeline - we
strive continuously to ensure the highest level of safety because it is our
highest priority."
The penalty action includes fines against
Olympic for safety violations identified during OPS' investigation following the
failure, which resulted in the deaths of three young people. Each of the
penalties proposed carries the maximum fine allowed under current pipeline
safety law.
"Today we are seeking the largest civil
penalty in the history of our pipeline safety program," said PHMSA
Administrator Kelley S. Coyner, head of the agency that oversees the Office of
Pipeline Safety. "In cases like this, where a pipeline operator fails to
take appropriate actions to ensure safety, we will penalize the company to the
fullest extent possible to ensure full compliance with federal safety
rules."
Following are the safety violations cited and
the proposed civil penalties against Olympic.
- Olympic failed to conduct adequate damage
prevention efforts. Specifically, Olympic failed to ensure that a company
representative was present during third-party excavation near its pipeline.
Proposed fine: $25,000.
- Olympic employees discovered an unsafe
condition during internal testing and continued to operate the pipeline
after testing without correcting the problem. Proposed fine: $500,000.
- Olympic failed to ensure that the
employees on duty at the time of the pipeline failure were trained in
accordance with federal pipeline safety regulations. Proposed fine:
$500,000.
- Olympic's Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) system, the computer system the operator uses to control
the pipeline, performed irregularly. Olympic took action to shut down the
pipeline, then restarted the pipeline without ensuring that it could operate
safely. Proposed fine: $25,000.
- Olympic failed to modify its operations,
maintenance and emergency plans when it added a new facility, the Bay view
Products Terminal. Proposed fine: $500,000.
- Olympic failed to adequately test relief
valves at the Bay view Products Terminal (about 15 miles south of
Bellingham) to ensure the safety and proper functioning of the valves.
Proposed fine: $500,000.
- Valves at the Bay view Products Terminal
shut down several times unintentionally, an event which indicates an
abnormal situation. Olympic failed to respond to, investigate and correct
those shutdowns. Proposed fine: $500,000.
- Olympic failed to maintain the required
daily operating records that record the discharge pressure at each pump
station and any abnormal events. Proposed fine: $500,000.
Olympic Pipeline has the legal right to contest
each penalty to reduce the amount of the proposed fines.
After the Olympic pipeline failure in June 1999,
OPS ordered the pipeline to be shut down. OPS also ordered repairs and testing
on the pipeline. The pipeline has not been reopened for service since the
failure. Olympic has not completed the required testing and repairs.
OPS stationed a full-time inspector in
Washington State and has conducted a joint inspection with the state pipeline
office for all pipelines in the state of Washington. OPS also participated in a
pipeline safety task force convened by Washington Governor Gary Locke.
Earlier this year Vice President Gore, joined by
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater, proposed the Administration's
Pipeline Safety and Community Protection Act of 2000, now known as S. 2409/H.R.
4276, comprehensive legislation to improve the safety of oil and gas pipelines
across the nation and strengthen citizens' right to know about pipelines in
their communities.
Coyner said that "the Administration's bill
is the most comprehensive pipeline safety legislation in the nation's history,
and it presents an opportunity that should not be missed - an opportunity to
improve safety."
U.S.
Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSPA: 13-00
Monday, May 15, 2000
Contact: Patricia
Klinger
Telephone: 202-366-4831
U.S. Department of Transportation Grants Request for Testing Of Olympic Pipeline in Washington
The U.S. Department of Transportations
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) today directed the Olympic Pipeline Company to
perform additional testing on the section of pipeline closed after the explosion
in Bellingham, Wash. in June 1999.
The Clinton-Gore Administrations
number one transportation priority is safety. The Department will not allow this
pipeline to reopen until we have addressed every known risk to the safety of
this pipeline using state of the art technology,
said Kelley S. Coyner, Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Departments
agency that oversees the Office of Pipeline Safety.
The Department ordered Olympic to test the integrity of the 16-inch pipeline
segment which runs from Ferndale to Allen using two types of in-line inspection
devices (ILI), also referred to as Asmart
pig testing. ILI surveys must include
the following tests:
- Testing with a high-resolution magnetic flux tool designed to assess
metal loss caused by corrosion or mechanical damage;
- Testing with a high-resolution tool designed to evaluate the shape of
the pipe to detect deformities that could have resulted from third-party
excavation damage or other outside force damage.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater reiterated his request to the
Congress to act swiftly on the Pipeline Safety and Community Protection Act of
2000, a comprehensive legislative proposal to improve the safety of oil and gas
pipelines across our nation. Secretary Slater said he hoped that Congress would
pass this legislation by the June 10 anniversary of the pipeline explosion in
Bellingham which resulted in the deaths of three youths.
The tests will be performed with two different devices over the course of
several days. Upon completion of the tests, the pipeline will be immediately
shut down to evaluate the data. Departmental pipeline safety inspectors and an
independent expert will review the testing results to determine if there are
additional areas that may need to be repaired or replaced before the Department
will consider allowing this section of pipeline to return to service.
After completing the tests on the 16-inch pipeline, Olympic will then perform
the same series of internal inspection tests, along with a third type of
internal test, on the remainder of its 400-mile pipeline system before the
Department will consider returning the system to full service.
U.S.
Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSPA: 7-00
Thursday, March 9, 2000
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Telephone: 202-366-4831
U.S. Department of Transportation Calls for Additional Testing Of Olympic Pipeline in Washington
The U.S. Department of Transportations
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) today ordered Olympic Pipeline Company to modify
its internal testing and inspection plans before OPS will allow Olympic to open
the section of pipeline closed after an explosion in Bellingham, Wash. in June
1999.
The Department completed its preliminary review of Olympic Pipelines
Jan. 18, 2000 request to return to service the 16-inch pipeline that runs from
Ferndale to Allen.
ADOT will not approve the limited re-opening of the Olympic pipeline
until we have ensured the integrity and safe operation of the pipeline. We are
addressing every known risk to the integrity of the pipeline using the most
up-to-date technology, said Kelley S.
Coyner, administrator of the Departments
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the agency that oversees pipeline
safety, hazardous materials transportation safety, federal transportation
research and emergency transportation requirements.
She said that Olympic must perform a series of testing and internal
inspections on the pipeline. This testing will provide a thorough assessment of
all types of conditions that could threaten the integrity of pipeline system.
The Department and an independent expert will review the results.
Before the Department allows Olympic to reopen the currently closed sections
of pipeline for partial service, Olympic must test the integrity of the pipeline
using two types of in-line inspection devices (ILI), also referred to as Asmart
pig testing. ILI surveys must include
the following tests.
- Testing with a high-resolution magnetic flux tool designed to assess
metal loss caused by corrosion or mechanical damage;
- Testing with a high-resolution tool designed to evaluate the shape of
the pipe to detect deformities that could have resulted from third-party
excavation damage or other outside force damage.
OPS is also requiring Olympic to use an additional new technology before
allowing any portion of the 400-mile long pipeline system to return to full
service. This involves testing with a transverse flux tool designed to identify
seam-weld defects, long-axial defects and mechanical damage. This new technology
has been highly successful at detecting defects, including lack of seam-weld
fusion, hook cracks in the seam weld, and corrosion.
The use of hydrotesting, while effective in detecting known systemic problems
and providing quality-control verification immediately after construction, may
aggravate smaller pipe defects that can lead to subsequent failure during
operation. OPS has chosen the most effective and safe methods of assuring the
integrity of this pipeline and believes hydrotesting would be counter productive
at this time.
Until evaluation of the internal inspection results and any required repairs
are complete, OPS will not allow service on this section of Olympic pipeline.
The company must perform all three tests on the entire pipeline system and
correct any deficiencies identified through the testing process before returning
to full service.
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RSPA: XX-99
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Tel: 202-366-4831
SAFETY AGENCY ANNOUNCES JOINT INSPECTIONS WITH THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
Citing her resolve to continue agency-wide efforts to further protect the people and
environment in Bellingham, Washington, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (RSPA)
Kelley S. Coyner today announced additional safety measures the department's Office of Pipeline
Safety along with the State of Washington will be undertaking as a result of the June 10,
Olympic Pipeline incident that occurred in Bellingham, Washington.
Coyner's comments were made in written testimony presented to the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings,
Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation.
"Our hearts go out to the families in Bellingham. The June 10 Olympic pipeline incident
has caused all of us to rededicate our efforts to ensure accidents such as this will be prevented in
the future," said PHMSA Administrator Coyner.
Administrator Coyner announced a comprehensive review of all pipelines in the State of
Washington. The plan calls for the department's Office of Pipeline Safety to work jointly with
the Washington Public Utilities Commission in conducting an assessment of all the pipelines
within its boundaries and reporting potential pipeline risks and target areas for improvement.
The time required for completion of this project is anticipated to be two to three months.
In addition to the comprehensive review, Coyner announced the appointment of Marilyn
Showalter, Chairman, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to serve as a 3 year
member of the Technical Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. The
committee is one of two statutorily mandated advisory committees that assist PHMSA's Office of
Pipeline Safety in its consideration of proposed safety regulations, risk assessments, and safety
policies for hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines. Each committee has an authorized
membership of 15 persons, five each from government, industry, and the public.
The committees meet in May and November of each year.
LAST UPDATE 07/25/2001
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