Week of March 30, 1998

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ALYESKA REPORT
WEEK OF MARCH 30, 1998

Faulty Signal at VMT Berth Activates Safety System

The Tanker Vapor Control System on Berth 5 at the Valdez Marine Terminal was restarted on Saturday following replacement of a faulty pressure sensor. The pressure sensor sent a false signal which activated a safety system designed to protect the berth by sensing any sudden increase in line pressure. No tanker was at berth at the time of the incident. The faulty pressure sensor was discovered on March 25 and a replacement switch element for the system’s control panel was not available until Saturday morning when the system was then brought back on line.

The faulty sensor was replaced and is being sent back to the manufacturer to determine the cause of the problem. The other seven pressure sensors in the system were inspected and were found in proper operation.

No uncontrolled tanker loading occurred as a result of this incident. Tankers which arrived during this time were loaded on Berth 4. No significant delays in tanker loading occurred.

The safety system is designed into the Tanker Vapor Controls. If any of the sensors detect a pressure wave, or a flame (through infrared detectors), the detonation arrestor valve closes within 50 milliseconds. Thirteen high pressure fire extinguishers, six on each side of the valve and one mounted on the valve, instantly discharge into the vapor recovery piping. Crude loading operations are automatically shut down, and the vapor recovery system is isolated from all other systems.

Compressor Causes Brief Berth Delays

A compressor in the Tanker Vapor Control System at the Valdez Marine Terminal shut down three times over the weekend, causing brief crude oil loading delays. The system was switched to a second compressor and restarted. Tanker loading restarted less than 15 minutes in each situation. No uncontrolled tanker loading occurred while the system was shut down.

The compressor shut down due to low suction pressure believed to have been caused by partially obstructed start-up strainers. Crews are removing the first of the strainers today. The problem has not reoccurred since Saturday evening.


	Alyeska Pipeline Service Company - P.O. Box 196660, Anchorage, AK, 99519-6660 (907) 787-8700; alyeskamail@alyeska-pipeline.com Anchorage Communications Office: 907-787-8870 Fairbanks Communications Office: 907-450-5857 Valdez Communications Office: 907-834-7303 Copyright 2008 Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. All Rights Reserved.