The
spill was from an injection line that normally carries seawater
from the DS-11 manifold building to injection wells 7 & 8.
The line was out of service at the time of the spill due to the
discovery of a seawater leak in the line four days prior to this
incident. The 50/50 methanol and water mixture, used as a freeze
protection fluid, was used to displace the seawater from the
line while waiting on repairs.
The BPXA investigation determined the causal factors included
failure of the seawater flowline while freeze-protected with
the methanol / water mixture and also the failure to follow the
appropriate isolation procedures.
On March 13, 2005 the seawater line was stripped of its insulation
to reveal a small pencil-tip size hole located in the noon position
on the line. The hole was due to corrosion. |