Due to its unique properties, CO2 can be extremely dangerous when released as a result of a pipeline leak or rupture. The recent leak happened the evening of April 3 at the now ExxonMobil-owned Lake Charles Pump Station for Denbury’s 24-inch Green Pipeline in Sulphur, LA. Emergency responders issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for residents in the Sulphur area. No injuries have been reported.
BELLINGHAM, Washington [April 5, 2024] – Denbury Inc., a carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline operator recently acquired by ExxonMobil is best known for its 2020 CO2 pipeline rupture in Satartia, MS that sent over 40 residents to the hospital. The incident exposed the insufficiency of existing federal safety regulations for CO2 pipelines. Federal safety regulations have yet to be updated.
Updates from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury indicate the creation of a shelter-in-place area that formed a ¼ mile radius around the pump station located at 345 Bankens Road in Sulphur, LA. Residential housing is located as close as across the street from the pump station. Residents commented on the Police Jury’s emergency response Facebook thread noting the lack of emergency response warning system in place outside of social media notifications.
According to initial reports to the National Response Center, the April 3 leak at the Lake Charles Pump Station happened at a “smart pig” launcher site. Smart pigs are in-line inspection tools used in routine pipeline maintenance work such as the cleaning or detection of anomalies in a pipeline such as corrosion, dents, cracks, and defects.
The federal pipeline regulator, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is on site and investigating the incident and at this time the failure’s cause has yet to be determined. According to PHMSA, the affected segment was isolated, and the agency stated there is no longer an ongoing threat to the public.
When it comes to upgrading federal safety regulations for CO2 pipelines, PHMSA is slated to announce its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) this May, however, the NPRM has already been pushed back multiple times.
“This recent unacceptable leak from another piece of Denbury infrastructure highlights the immediate need for robust and comprehensive carbon dioxide pipeline safety regulations,” Pipeline Safety Trust Communications Director Kenneth Clarkson said. “CO2 is an asphyxiant and intoxicant that is odorless, this incident could have been much worse.”
The leak’s current spill volume is unknown. The Lake Charles Pump Station has prior incident history, with a known reported leak on March 25, 2011.
###
About Pipeline Safety Trust: The Pipeline Safety Trust is a nonprofit public watchdog promoting pipeline safety through education and advocacy by increasing access to information, and by building partnerships with residents, safety advocates, government, and industry, that result in safer communities and a healthier environment.
For More Information Contact: Kenneth Clarkson, Communications Director -
From what I have analyzed of CO2 pipeline leaks, around half relate to “seal failure.” My understanding of CO2 is that it dissolves most materials that are used for seals in pipelines transporting other substances. I am hopeful that this is one of the things PHMSA has been researching, but have not heard of any great new advances. How can we move forward with all of these pipeline projects if we don’t have adequate seal materials?
Also, if you haven’t been updated on progress with the One Earth project in Illinois, please see the ICC docket for company rebuttals posted in late March. This company, with I believe a lot of local accountability, against the huge industry and federal pressure, has lowered their consequences from a rupture immensely. And yet, from the shreds of evidence we know, there are 7 residences within about a 50,000 ppm zone. It shows me that these pipelines cannot be engineered to be safe. However, if we can’t stop them, we have moved a long ways. If this first pipeline in IL is approved with maximum 2.4 mi. between shut-off valves through a rural area, it is setting a better precidenct.
Thank you for the work yo have done to date in supporting Illinois citizens.
This release has alot more to it than what was discovered or information given during investigation. It could have been prevented.
Did they reveal what took place days before this event??