Chevron considered replacing pipe
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/08/14/chevron-considered-replacing-pipe/
August 14, 2012
hevron officials initially deemed the pipe that failed dramatically last week, causing a major fire at its Richmond refinery, as possibly needing replacement last year but ultimately cleared it for five more years of service, The Chronicle has learned.
Investigators with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board and other federal and state agencies have launched several inquiries into the Aug. 6 leak and fire. Both the damage and the investigations could leave part of the crude oil processing unit down for months.
A key issue is the decisions company officials made last fall, when the unit was shut down for annual inspection and repairs.
At the time, Chevron officials examined both the line that failed and a larger companion line linked to it, company officials said. Both pipes were fed from a 16-inch connection to the crude oil unit’s distillation tower and served to route hot hydrocarbons away for cooling and processing.
Pipe remained in service
The October inspection found unsafe levels of corrosion in the larger, 12-inch line, and officials designated it, along with its smaller companion line, for replacement, sources close to the investigation told The Chronicle.
But after reviewing inspection and other operation data, Chevron deemed the smaller, 8-inch-diameter line – the one tied to the leak and fire – fit to remain in service for five more years, the safety standard in U.S. regulations. Both pipes date to construction of the crude refining unit in the 1970s.
“They make decisions all the time. I don’t know if it was within the limits of corrosion. Hopefully it was within the limits,” said Jeff Clark, a field representative with the United Steelworkers union local at the refinery. “Obviously, the records will show what was scheduled for replacement and what wasn’t.”
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