On March 6, Digital Journal reported that a Hilcorp Energy natural gas pipeline rupture that was first discovered on February 7 was still not repaired and continued to release about 300,000 cubic feet of methane gas into Cook Inlet, southwest of Anchorage, Alaska every day.
A directive issued on March 3, 2017, by the U.S. Transportation Department’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has come to light that gives Hilcorp Energy until May 1 to “permanently” repair the pipeline or shut it down because it poses a risk to public safety as well as environmental risks.
What is interesting about the 11-page directive is that it provides new information about the incident and Hilcorp’s negligence in reporting the leak. The directive also points out that the latest leak is the third incident to be reported. Two previous leaks occurred in June 2014 and August 2014 during ice-free conditions.
The previous operator determined the leaks were caused by rocks hitting the pipeline in sections where the pipeline was not in continuous contact with the ocean floor. The rocks caused abrasion of the steel pipe and ultimately deterioration. The 2014 leaks were 42 yards apart and are only 2/3 of a mile from the present leak. This information is on page-5 of the report.
Even more damning is the revelation that as early as late January 2017, Hilcorp personnel had noticed an increased flow data on the affected segment of the pipeline (known as “A Pipeline). It was in response to this data that a helicopter surveillance of the pipeline was made on February 7. Subsequently, flow analysis by Hilcorp revealed the pipeline began leaking in the latter part of December 2016.
Another concern to regulators is the so-called “B pipeline” that runs close to and parallel to “A Pipeline.” The B Pipeline carries crude oil to an onshore facility. The B Pipeline has the same characteristics as the A pipeline and is impacted by the same stresses as the leaking pipeline.
Hilcorp was also chided for its inadequate inspections of its pipelines. “The annual side-scan sonar or multibeam echo-sounder survey, or both, that Hilcorp currently performs, do not provide sufficient information to determine whether there are external loads on the pipe, eroded pipe, rock impingements, metal loss, dents, gouges, dielectric coating deterioration, and/or missing 1-inch thick concrete weight coating,” the directive noted.
Hilcorp has 30 days to respond to the notice. PHMSA is expected to issue a final safety order after that period. Within two weeks of that order, Hilcorp will have to submit a pipeline leak inspection and repair plan for approval. It must also prepare a plan for safely terminating its gas delivery system if the pipeline has to be shut down, according to Inside Climate News.
