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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExxonMobil (2) E)oconMobil E,KonMobil Pipeline Company LAUREL CITY COUNIL L © Vay^� CITY COUNCIL CITY OF LAUREL MAR 2 4 2016 PO BOX 10 LAUREL, MT 59044 CITY OF LAUREL March 23, 2016 RE: Upcoming Pipeline Maintenance Work on ExxonMobil Pipeline Company's Billings to Silvertip (Silvertip) 12-inch Crude Oil Pipeline; Councilmembers: ExxonMobil Pipeline Company (EMPCo) owns and operates a 70-mile crude oil pipeline between Silvertip, Laurel and Billings, Montana. As part of our routine maintenance procedures and in accordance with applicable regulations, EMPCo is planning to conduct a hydrostatic pressure test or"hydrotest" of this pipeline beginning on or about April 22, 2016 and concluding on or about the second week of May 2016. A hydrotest is a pressure test in which the pipeline will be emptied of crude oil and filled with water. The line will then be re-pressurized to identify areas of the pipeline that may require further inspection and/or repair. The test will be conducted along six independent segments of the pipeline in three intervals, each interval requiring approximately 24 hours, pending any repairs the hydrotest may identify. In accordance with standard industry practice, EMPCo will be issuing public notifications and conducting outreach in your community, including: • Mid to Late March 2016: EMPCo will begin mailing written notifications (attachment 1)to properties located within one hundred feet of the pipeline notifying them of the test. • Late March 2016: EMPCo will begin offering pre-arranged hotel accommodations (attachment 2) to residences within immediate proximity to our pipeline's centerline. The test of the pipeline segment nearest to their properties should require approximately 24 hours, pending any necessary repairs the hydrotest may identify. For residents who prefer to stay at a hotel, we have pre-arranged accommodations and incidentals for them and their families. We anticipate hotel stays for these residents to be limited to 24 to 48 hours. Regardless, we will accommodate residents until we have completed our test-related work within our right of way on or adjacent to their property. 1 ...o.,.......,,..,,.w_.�.....__.�..�.._w. a Y n .+y Y. NOTE: Property owners or their tenants are not required to leave during our work. We are offering accommodation to residents at the provided addresses (attachment 3) as a convenience so that we may safely and quickly conduct any repairs in our right of way and minimize any possible disruptions. Please find attached the following: 61)Letter to residents and businesses within 100' of the pipeline centerline 62)Letter to residents being offered hotel accommodations and incidentals 63)List of properties being offered hotel accommodations and incidentals 64)Silvertip Hydrotest Fact Sheet 65)Silvertip Hydrotest FAQ 66)EMPCo Public Awareness brochures Safety is EMPCo's priority, and we are committed to operating in a safe and responsible manner. Our Operations personnel are available to discuss this work in detail at any time that is convenient for you and your department. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Jeb Montgomery ExxonMobil Pipeline Company 406-657-5400 2 Letter to properties within 100' of pipeline centerline E)oconMobil E�onMobil Pipeline Company March 22, 2016 RE: Upcoming pipeline maintenance work in your neighborhood Dear Resident: ExxonMobil Pipeline Company(EMPCo) owns and operates a pipeline in your community. As part of routine maintenance and in accordance with applicable regulations, we will be using water to conduct a hydrostatic test or"hydrotest" of this pipeline beginning on or about April 22, 2016. As a resident or business near our pipeline, we are notifying you of this planned maintenance activity. A hydrotest is a maintenance procedure routinely conducted on pipelines. During EMPCo's upcoming hydrotest, the pipeline will be emptied of its product and filled with water. The line will then be re-pressurized to identify segments of the pipeline that may need further inspection and/or repair. There will likely be no visible or audible indication that the test is being conducted. Should you notice any unusual activity near the pipeline during the hydrotest, including the presence of water, or if you have any questions, please contact us directly at 1-888-804-4788. Reminder: In the unlikely event of an emergency,you should always contact EMPCo's Operations Control Center at 800-537-5200. This number is also posted prominently on EMPCo's above ground pipeline markers along the pipeline's right of way. Safety is EMPCo's priority, and we are committed to operating in a safe and responsible manner. Sincerely, John Hines ExxonMobil Pipeline Company Right of Way Department 1-888-804-4788 public.awareness@exxonmobil.com Letter to residents being offered accommodation (Hand Deliver+ Certifiedl E)oconMobil E�onMobil Pipeline Company March 22, 2016 RE: Upcoming pipeline maintenance work in your neighborhood Dear Mr. and Mrs. [XXXXXXXXXX]: As previously communicated, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company(EMPCo)owns and operates a pipeline located near your property. As part of routine maintenance and in accordance with applicable regulations, we will be using water to conduct a hydrostatic test or"hydrotest"of this pipeline beginning on or about April [22/24/30], 2016. We anticipate the test near your property to be completed within a 24-hour period, pending any repairs identified by the test. We do not anticipate that our work will disrupt your activities, and it is likely you will not even notice that the test is underway. However, the test may identify areas of the pipeline requiring additional inspection and/or repair. If inspection or repair is required near or on your property, we will need access to our right of way. To minimize any potential disruption to you and your family, we are offering to provide pre-arranged accommodations. Although this is voluntary, you may find that it is more convenient to allow us to accommodate you at a nearby hotel and cover incidental expenses during the test period. We recognize and regret this inconvenience. You will continue to have access to your property throughout our work; however, routine vehicle access to your property might be limited if our work is required on or near your property. We are committed to providing you and your family with timely and accurate information leading up to and throughout the duration of our work. All appropriate agencies have been notified of our activities, and we will be working with them throughout this period. As your dedicated community relations advisor, I will be reaching out to you in the next few days to discuss your plans and answer any questions that you may have. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me directly at the number provided below. Sincerely, [Hand signed] Mike McNally EMPCo Right of Way Representative [Local Cell Number] RE: Upcoming Pipeline Maintenance Work on ExxonMobil Pipeline Company's Billings to Silvertip (Silvertip) 12-inch Crude Oil Pipeline List of properties being offered hotel accommodations and incidentals: Hydrotest Physical Address City/Town Segment 1 1130 Cerise Rd Billings 2 2345 S Shiloh Rd Billings 2 3016 Allison Ln Billings 2 513 Washington St. Billings 5 107 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 15 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 16 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 18 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 3 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 7 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 8 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 9 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 4 679 Joliet Fromberg Rd. Fromberg 3 3 Winterpast Ln Joliet 3 4499 US Hwy 310 Joliet 3 1 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 13 Riada Dr. Laurel 3 13 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 15 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 17 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 23 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 25 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 27 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 2756 US Hwy 212 S Laurel 3 3 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 6 Henry's Pl. Laurel 3 7 Vista Ln. Laurel 3 9 Riada Dr. Laurel 5 19 Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 20 Kew Ln. Bridger 5 P.O. Box 534 — Cedar Ln @ Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 P.O. Box 584 - Cedar Ln @ Rimrock Rd. Bridger 5 P.O. Box 636 North End of Rimrock Rd. Bridger s 3 ExxonMobil E*pnMobiI Pipeline Company s . Elver ti Ppipeline hycrostatic pressure test A hydrostatic pressure test,or"hydrotest",is one of many important integrity verification tools used by EyoconMobil Pipeline Company ,{ (EMPCo)to ensure the safety and reliability of our pipelines.At EMPCo,safety is always . °' our priority,and as a pipeline operator in Montana,we are committed to the safe and . .r * . k '- responsible operation of all our pipelines and facilities. Beginning in mid-April 2016,EMPCo will conduct a hydrotest of its Silvertip pipeline.A hydrotest is a pressure test in which the pipeline will be emptied of crude oil and filled with water.The line Overview of the hydrotest process will then be re-pressurized to identify segments A hydrotest of a pipeline requires significant of the pipeline that may require further inspection planning and coordination on the part of a pipeline and/or repair. operator and its contractors.EMPCo's test will include the following stages of planning and EMPCo's Silvertip pipeline execution,all with a priority on safety: • 70-mile pipeline in Yellowstone and 1 EMPCo secures necessary permits and Carbon counties coordinates activities with local agencies and ■ 12"steel pipe public officials • Transports crude oil from EMPCo's Silvertip 2 The pipeline is temporarily removed from service Station south of Bridger to Billings,Montana and all crude is safely removed from the line at its point of termination 3 The pipeline is cleaned internally by passing a tool through the line to remove residual crude oil 4 The pipeline is securely sealed and water is placed into the line 5 The first segment of the pipeline to be tested is pressurized to a pre-defined test pressure 6 The test pressure is held and closely monitored for a period of time,typically 8 hours 7 If the test segment holds pressure,it is emptied of water and prepared to be placed back into service If a segment does not maintain or hold pressure, it is likely that the pressure from the hydrotest has identified an area of the pipeline requiring repair If that occurs,the repair location is located by EMPCo personnel,safely repaired,and the pipe section is retested. 8 The same test water is moved to the next test segment and stages 5 through 7 are repeated *. a I Silvertip pipeline hydrotest FAQ During EMPCo's hydrotest the pipeline will be Is a hydrotest safe? emptied of crude and filled with water.The line Yes.A hydrotest is a maintenance procedure routinely will then be re-pressurized to identify segments conducted on many pipelines in urban and rural of the pipeline that may require further inspection areas across the U.S.EMPCo has made notifications and/or repair. to local officials and emergency responders in your community,informing them of our plans to conduct Where is this test taking place? this test. The test will be conducted along the entire length of EMPCo's 70-mile Silvertip pipeline.The test What if the line requires repair? will occur in six separate segments of varying EMPCo will be closely monitoring the pipeline distances(3-20 miles each),progressing from throughout the duration of the test and will promptly Billings to Laurel and then south toward Bridger repair or replace any areas of the pipeline requiring and Silvertip,Montana.The U.S.Department of repair.The test will be safely restarted once a repair is Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials complete.To ensure that any necessary repairs are Safety Administration(PHMSA)maintains the identified and conducted in a safe and timely manner, National Pipeline Mapping System(NPMS).Their EMPCo personnel will be located near each pipeline database includes a route map of EMPCo's Silvertip segment throughout the test. pipeline.https://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/ Where does the water go that is used during the hydrotest? EMPCo has submitted to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality(MDEQ)for its review and approval a permit to treat,test,and discharge the When is the test taking place? hydrotest water near the origination of the pipeline in EMPCo's hydrostest is scheduled to commence Carbon County.The water used during the hydrotest during the third week of April 2016.The test will undergo carbon filtration and extensive testing segment nearest to your property should take by a third party for the presence of contaminants approximately 24 hours to complete,pending any prior to being discharged. necessary repairs.For questions regarding specific timing of the test,please contact EMPCo's Hotline Is this hydrotest regulated? directly at 888-804-4788. Yes.Hydrotest requirements and restrictions for hazardous liquids pipelines are specified in What can I expect to see during the test? 49 CFR 195,Subpart E.EMPCo's Silvertip pipeline is As a resident living or working near EMPCo's regulated by the U.S.Department of Transportation's pipeline,you may notice the following during and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety prior to the hydrotest: Administration(PHMSA). ■ EMPCo personnel or licensed contractors and/or their vehicles near or within the pipeline's Important contacts right of way EMPCo Hotline:888-804-4788. • Machinery and equipment,such as excavators and water tanks Reminder:In the unlikely event of an emergency, • Temporary traffic safety cones and/or detour signs always contact EMPCo's Operations Control Center • A release of water on the ground anywhere along at 800-537-5200. This number is also posted the pipeline's right of way prominently on EMPCo's above ground pipeline markers along the pipeline's right of way. 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