Alyeska has brine spill

Petroleum News - Alaska Staff

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said Jan. 2 that Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. had a brine spill Jan. 1 at Pump Station 1 at Prudhoe Bay.

DEC said Alyeska has estimated up to 2,450 gallons of refrigerant brine solution may have spilled. Brine solution is predominantly water with calcium chloride to prevent freezing and hexavalent chromium as a corrosion inhibitor.

The spill was from a leak in a two-inch underground brine refrigeration loop beneath the warehouse and shop area at Pump Station 1. The refrigeration line keeps the gravel pad frozen under the warehouse and shop area to maintain structural integrity.

DEC said the release was most likely caused by corrosion. The leaking loop was isolated and a team is removing insulation and exposing pipe to identify the exact location.

The line has been isolated and blind flanges installed. If the location of the leak is not discovered, the line will be pigged to remove remaining brine in the line. A fiber-optic camera will be brought in to examine the inside of the pipe. DEC said hydrophonic testing has been proposed, but may be difficult to use since the building has a concrete floor.