Chevron Pipeline Co. continues to depressurize the West Texas LPG pipeline that ruptured and ignited Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. CST near Milford, Tex. (OGJ Online, Nov. 14, 2013). The fire continues to decrease in size as residual product is flared and burned-off. Chevron continues to monitor a nearby 14-in. OD LPG pipeline and is in the process of removing product from it and depressurizing it.
Local unified command established a 1½-mile evacuation zone at the site, with about 700 people in Milford asked to evacuate. The local Red Cross has mobilized to assist those affected.
Chevron suffered a leak on West Texas LPG in 2011 and a crude pipeline it operates between Rangely, Colo., and its Salt Lake City refinery in 2010 (OGJ Online, Nov. 5, 2010).
NGL production in West Texas and elsewhere has expanded rapidly with growth in US natural gas and crude production, prompting expansion of US Gulf Coast fractionation and LPG export sites (OGJ Online, Oct. 2, 2013).
Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].
