By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 22 -- Houston-based Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (KMEP) reported Friday that it expects to increase deliveries of gasoline to Phoenix late this weekend following a July 30 rupture of a segment of its Tucson-to-Phoenix (T-P) products pipeline that spilled 12,000 gal of fuel (OGJ Online, Aug. 19, 2003).
KMEP's plan is to reverse flow on its 6-in. Phoenix-to-Tucson (P-T) products pipeline and connect a section of that line to bypass the 4 mile section of the damaged 8-in. T-P line, which runs parallel to the P-T system.
KMEP reported Tuesday it had received approval from the Office of Pipeline Safety to begin the hydrostatic testing of the T-P products pipeline, which normally delivers about 30%, or 175,000 b/d, of gasoline to Phoenix. The company also delivers about 121,000 b/d on its Los Angeles-to-Phoenix pipeline (West Line) and 54,000 b/d on its P-T pipeline.
By Aug. 1, KMEP said it had repaired the damaged line and was operating it at reduced pressures while performing tests, which later revealed "a pipe defect as the cause of the incident."
"Based on the results of the testing performed Wednesday. . .temporarily bypassing that segment of line is the fastest way to return gasoline deliveries to normal levels in the Phoenix market," said Tom Bannigan, president of KMEP's products pipelines. "The bypass will allow (KMEP) to move 35,000 b/d into Phoenix and should eliminate the need for trucking fuels to Phoenix from Tucson and other locations."
KMEP also plans a phased replacement of the 4 mile section of pipe that failed the test, it said.
"Following the rupture, volumes on the West Line were increased to about 148,000 b/d," KMEP reported. Once the bypass is completed, the company said it would continue to transport about 148,000 b/d on the West Line and 35,000 b/d on the T-P line, "exceeding the average daily demand in the Phoenix market," the company said.
KMEP's 6-in. P-T pipeline currently moves conventional gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel to Tucson. "These products can be supplied by shippers transporting products from the El Paso, (Tex.,) area on other (KMEP) pipelines," the company said.
Arizona is one of the 20 US states that does not contain a refinery.
