Oil Tank Safety Study

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Accident Description

Accident: Oil Tank Safety Study

Location: Location: Weleetka, OK

Accident Occurred On: 04/14/2010 | Final Report Released On: 10/27/2011

Accident Type: Community Impact

Investigation Status: The CSB released its oil tank study at a news conference in Hattiesburg, MS on October 27, 2011.

On April 13, 2010, the CSB released a safety video, entitled “No Place to Hang Out”. The video tells the story of the tragic deaths of 18-year-old Wade White and 16-year-old Devon Byrd, killed on October 31, 2009, when an oil tank, located in a clearing in the woods near the home of one of the boys in the town of Carnes, Mississippi, suddenly exploded. On April 14, 2010, a fiery explosion took the life of a 21-year-old member of the public in Weleetka, Oklahoma, at an unattended oil and gas production site that was unsecured and likely lacked fire or explosion warning signs.

Final Reports

FINAL REPORT: Oil Site Safety

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Recommendations

American Petroleum Institute (API)

2011-H-1-5

Create a new standard or amend existing standards covering exploration and production facilities to:

a) Warn that storage tanks at unmanned facilities may be subject to tampering or introduction of ignition sources by members of the public, which could result in a tank explosion or other accidental release to the environment.

b) Recommend the use inherently safer storage tank design features to reduce the likelihood of explosions, including restrictions on the use of open vents for flammable hydrocarbons, flame arrestors, pressure vacuum vent valves, floating roofs, vapor recovery systems or an equivalent alternative.

c) Require security measures at least as protective as API 2610 to prevent non-employee access to flammable storage tanks at upstream E&P sites, including such measures as a full fence surrounding the tank(s) with a locked gate, hatch locks on tank manways, and barriers securely attached to tank external ladders or stairways.

d) Require that hazard signs or placards be displayed on or near tanks to identify the fire and explosion hazards using words and symbols recognizable by the general public.

e) Recommend that new or revised mineral leasing agreements include security and signage requirements as described above.

Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Closed - Acceptable Action (C - AA) - The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board.

Recommendations Status Change Summary
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

2011-H-1-1

Publish a safety alert directed to owners and operators of exploration and production facilities with flammable storage tanks, advising them of their general duty clause responsibilities for accident prevention under the Clean Air Act. At a minimum, the safety alert should:

a. Warn that storage tanks at unmanned facilities may be subject to tampering or introduction of ignition sources by members of the public, which could result in a tank explosion or other accidental release to the environment

b. Recommend the use of inherently safer storage tank design features to reduce the likelihood of explosions, including restrictions on the use of open vents for flammable hydrocarbons, flame arrestors, pressure vacuum vent valves, floating roofs, vapor recovery systems or an equivalent alternative.

c. Describe sufficient security measures to prevent non-employee access to flammable storage tanks, including such measures as a full fence surrounding the tank with locked gate, hatch locks on tank manways, and barriers securely attached to tank external ladders or stairways

d. Recommend that hazard signs or placards be displayed on or near tanks to identify the fire and
explosion hazards using words and symbols recognizable by the general public

Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Closed - Acceptable Action (C - AA) - The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board.

Recommendation Status Change Summary
Mississippi State Oil & Gas Board

2011-H-1-2

Amend state oil and gas regulations to require the use of inherently safer tank design features such as flame arrestors, pressure vacuum vents, floating roofs, vapor recovery systems or an equivalent alternative, to prevent the ignition of a flammable atmosphere inside the tank.

Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action/No Response Received

Closed - Unacceptable Action/No Response Received (C - UA/NRR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation and the Board concludes that further correspondence on, or discussion of, the matter would not change the recipient?s position.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

2011-H-1-6

Amend NFPA 30, “Storage of Liquids in Tanks—Requirements for all Storage Tanks” as follows:
a) Remove the term “isolated” from the current wording of the standard and replace it with a more descriptive term, such as “normally unoccupied”

a) Remove the words “Where necessary” from Security for Unsupervised Storage Tanks, Chapter 21.7.2.2.

b) Add a reference to a relevant security standard that offers specifications on fencing, locks and other site security measures.

c) Add a definition of security encompassing requirements such as fencing, locked gates, hatch locks,and barriers.

Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternative Action

Closed - Acceptable Alternative Action (C - AAA)

Recommendation Status Change Summary
State of Oklahoma/Oklahoma Corporation Commission

2011-H-1-3

Amend state oil and gas regulations to:

a) Protect storage tanks at exploration and production sites from public access by requiring sufficient security measures, such as full fencing with a locked gate, hatch locks on tank manways, and barriers securely attached to tank external ladders and stairways.

b) Require hazards signs or placards on or near tanks that identify the fire and explosion hazards using words and symbols recognizable by the general public.

c) Require the use of inherently safer tank design features such as flame arrestors, pressure vacuum vents, floating roofs, vapor recovery systems or an equivalent alternative, to prevent the ignition of a flammable atmosphere inside the tank.

Status: Open - Acceptable Response or Alternate Response

Open - Acceptable Response or Alternate Response (O - ARAR) - Response from recipient indicates a planned action that would satisfy the objective of the recommendation when implemented.

Recommendation Status Change Summary
Texas Railroad Commission (RRC)

2011-H-1-4

Amend state oil and gas regulations to:

a) Protect storage tanks at exploration and production sites from public access by requiring sufficient security measures, such as full fencing with a locked gate, hatch locks on tank manways, and barriers securely attached to tank external ladders and stairways.

b) Require hazards signs or placards on or near tanks that identify the fire and explosion hazards using words and symbols recognizable to the general public.

c) Require the use of inherently safer tank design features such as flame arrestors, pressure vacuum vents, floating roofs, vapor recovery systems or an equivalent alternative to prevent the ignition of a flammable atmosphere inside the tank.

Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action/No Response Received

Closed - Unacceptable Action/No Response Received (C - UA/NRR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation and the Board concludes that further correspondence on, or discussion of, the matter would not change the recipient?s position.

Recommendation Status Change Summary