By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 26 -- Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP restarted its Tucson-Phoenix, Ariz., pipeline Sunday, restoring the line and increasing service to183,000 b/d from 175,000 b/d of gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel.
The 8-in. pipeline, shut down for repairs following a rupture July 30 (OGJ Online, Aug. 22, 2003), started back up at reduced pressure Aug. 1, pending investigation, but shut down again Aug. 8, when initial tests showed a pipe defect as the cause of the incident.
KMP then reversed the flow on a 6-in. Phoenix-Tucson pipeline and connected a section of that line to bypass a 4 mile section on the 8-in. line. The bypass provides KMP with the capacity to transport 35,000 b/d of fuel from Tucson to Phoenix and should soon eliminate the need for companies to truck fuels to Phoenix.
Fuel supplies to Tucson will be supplied by shippers on other KMP pipelines from the El Paso area.
