From Atlanta Business Chronicle
A gasoline pipeline operated by Atlanta-based Colonial Pipeline has ruptured in Alabama, spilling an estimated 250,000 gallons of gasoline and possibly threatening supplies in parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
“The pipeline has been shut down since Friday and normally transports 1.3 million barrels per day of refined gasoline and other petroleum products from refineries in Houston to the south and eastern seaboard,” Al.com reported Sept. 15. Read the full story here.
Colonial reported Thursday afternoon that response and repair activities continue at the location with Colonial working in close consultation with local, state and federal officials. To minimize potential supply disruptions caused by the rupture, Colonial said it has begun shipping gasoline through another pipeline.
Colonial operates 5,500 miles of pipeline laid in 3,000 miles of right of way between Houston and the New York Harbor.
STATEMENT FROM COLONIAL PIPELINE:
Helena, Alabama Incident Update – September 15, 3:15 p.m., CDT Update #12
Posted on September 15, 2016 by Keith Bowermaster
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. – Colonial Pipeline issued the following update regarding its ongoing response to a gasoline release in Shelby County, Alabama, and the subsequent interruption of service to Line 1, the company’s primary gasoline pipeline.
As reported this afternoon in our earlier update, response and repair activities continue at the location with Colonial working in close consultation with local, state and federal officials.
Because work activity was intermittent overnight due to unfavorable weather conditions that caused gasoline vapors to settle over the site, the projected restart of Line 1 has been revised for next week.
Based on current projections and consultations with industry partners, parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina will be the first markets to be impacted by any potential disruption in supply.
Colonial has briefed officials in these states and will continue to provide timely information to the public so that they can plan accordingly.
To minimize potential supply disruptions caused by the interruption to Line 1, Colonial Pipeline has executed a contingency plan to move gasoline on Line 2, which normally carries distillate such as diesel, jet fuel and home heating oil to points north. The origination of gasoline into Line 2 has begun, and Line 1 has been restarted upstream of the impacted segment and is operating from Houston to western Alabama.
Fuel shippers have also begun to implement contingency plans to further mitigate potential disruption to their operations. For example, other segments of the fuel delivery system are executing contingency plans, such as dispatching waterborne cargoes from the Gulf Coast to markets along the eastern seaboard. Also, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an official waiver for federal low volatility requirements under the Clean Air Act for certain markets in the southeast in an effort to further mitigate potential supply disruptions. Additionally, the Governor of the state of Georgia has issued an Executive Order for the purpose of suspending the federal rules and regulations that limit the hours operators of commercial vehicles may drive, in order to ensure the uninterrupted supply of gasoline throughout Georgia. Each of these measures has been taken to help the market adjust to alternate sources of supply.
About Colonial Pipeline Company: Colonial Pipeline delivers more than 100 million gallons of refined products each day to markets between Houston and New York City, serving more than 50 million people. We transport refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, home heating oil and fuels for the U.S. military. Our pipeline system consists of more than 5,500 miles of underground pipe and above ground storage tanks and pump stations. The company is based in Alpharetta, Ga. For additional information visit www.colpipe.com.
