Better LNG plant training and federal licensing urged

Journal Article · Mon Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6412983

According to the U.S. House of Representatives energy and power subcommittee report on the 10/6/79 Cove Point, Md. accident at the Columbia LNG Corp. terminal, the accident was made worse by a design problem that could exist at many U.S. pipeline pump stations and refineries; better training and federal licensing procedures, with no ''grandfathering'' of current operators, should be instituted for LNG plant operators; and similarly designed plants should be redesigned. The accident involved two loose bolts which permitted a booster pump seal leaks regardless of whether the bolts were loosened by pump vibration or by repeated heating and cooling, the accident would not have occurred if the seal were outside, rather than inside, the junction box. The study recommended that emergency systems be isolated from operating systems; all LNG plant conduit systems be examined and possibly redesigned; industry building codes be reevaluated to ensure suitability for cryogenic conditions; and the U.S. Department of Transportation develop a definitive summary of all pending and operating LNG facilities.

• OSTI ID: 6412983
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Vol. 78:22
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
PUMPS
TERMINAL FACILITIES
TRANSPORT
LNG PLANTS
PERSONNEL
SAFETY
TRAINING
ACCIDENTS
BUILDING CODES
CRYOGENICS
DESIGN
PIPELINES
RECOMMENDATIONS
SAFEGUARDS
SEALS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
LIQUEFIED GASES
NATURAL GAS
030500* - Natural Gas- Health & Safety
031000 - Natural Gas- Legislation & Regulations