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Permalink Reply by dbob on October 9, 2012 at 1:21

Kent,

The sterling III pipeline to be constructed by ONEOK will carry NGLs to my knowledge, likely including a mix of propane, butane, ethane, pentane and several others. It will also carry  "purity products
 which will likely include pure ethane.  Not sure what "EP" is.  

 You can learn a little more about the project at the Oneok website :http://www.oneok.com/ there is some information about the pipelines in the various presentations on the "events" tab  right hand side of the website.  

The NGLs carried by the pipeline will likely be heavier than air, and there is a reasonably large risk of explosion if the line leaks.  The products carried in the line, to my knowledge, can and are truck transported.  Would I want this line in my backyard?  No.  Would it bother me on my back 40, from a safety standpoint ?- No. 

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Permalink Reply by kent bradley on October 25, 2012 at 16:28

thank you for your comments, this is his mrs. i do hav e a question what is a "reasonably large" explosions and do you have any knowledge or know what kind of odds there are in a new line leaking and besides an explosion cant the fumes from the liquids kill a person, do you know how i can find out if there were any leaks or problems with the sterling I or II

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Permalink Reply by dbob on October 25, 2012 at 16:38

The national response center may have information about any significant events on the sterling lines.  http://www.nrc.uscg.mil/pls/apex/f?p=109:1:0:::::  The search tool isn't great, 

The risk of damage/death is really low, probably less than your chance of getting struck by lightning and winning the lottery in the same year.  

The likelihood of a leak early in the life of a pipeline is exceptionally low - it will be x-rayed during construction and hydrostatically tested prior to being brought into service.  Most pipeline accidents happen either when contractors are excavating near the line - The 811/Digtess/Onecall system is intended to eliminate this.  

General regulation of the line will likely be done by PHSMA http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/

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Permalink Reply by kent bradley on October 25, 2012 at 17:09

Thank you dbob you actually answered one of my questions I had asked in another discussion i just opened, if you have time I sure would appreciate it if you could take a look at the other discussion and questions i have, you have been very helpful and i appreciate your help,  I'm just very concerned about the safety issues concerning a line across my property. Thank you so much

 

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Permalink Reply by JMan on October 9, 2012 at 4:19

my handy dandy handbook calls EP "extreme pressure."  Perhaps the context is wrong?

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Permalink Reply by Dion Warr, CPL on October 9, 2012 at 15:09

Kent:

Most likely unfractionated ethane propane NGL mixture: (copy link into new page and follow)

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=49&ar...

Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Les Bamburg on October 16, 2012 at 9:29

Kent, E/P is a standard product that is 80-90% ethane with the balance being primarily propane.

Many pipelines in the US transport ethane and/or E/P mix.  Ethane is not transported by truck since it's only market is large petchem's and it is transported in large quantities.  

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