Laboratory tests show the Bakken crude that exploded in last July’s Quebec train derailment was more volatile than listed and had qualities similar to that of unleaded gasoline, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada reported.
The Canadian government agency drew the conclusion from a battery of tests on crude oil in the nine undamaged rail cars at Lac-Megantic and from cars on another train that carried the same type of crude.
The full analysis is available as TSB Laboratory Report LP 148/2013.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence that crude from the Bakken formation in North Dakota, Montana, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is so volatile that it is more likely to explode in an accident, as happened at Lac-Megantic, where 47 people died and 40 buildings were destroyed.
Incorrect documentation
The TSB reinforced its earlier report that crude on the Lac-Megantic train had been incorrectly documented as less volatile Packing Group III when it should have been categorized as Packing Group II.
It said the samples collected were consistent with light, sweet crude, with volatility comparable with that of condensate or a gasoline product.
The TSB said the lower flashpoint of the crude partly explained why it ignited so quickly once the tank cars were punctured.
The flashpoint refers to the temperature at which the crude gives off enough vapor to ignite in air.
“It is apparent that the occurrence crude oil’s flashpoint is similar to that of unleaded gasoline,” the report said.
A recent Wall Street Journal analysis of test results for crude from a number of different locations said Bakken crude generally has a higher vapor pressure than more traditional crudes — a conclusion similar to that derived from the TSB tests.
The report said the Lac-Megantic crude was “readily ignitable ... multiple sources of ignition were present at the derailment site, therefore all the conditions required for ignition to occur were present.”
All crude to be tested
The Canadian and U.S. governments have ordered companies to test all crude being shipped by rail to ensure it is accurately classified, while the U.S. took the added step of banning companies from classifying crude in the least dangerous classification, even if test results suggested it was not highly volatile.
U.S. regulators have since further amended their order by requiring shippers to measure the flashpoint and boiling point of the crude they are shipping. However, they would not have to measure crude specifications such as vapor pressure and corrosivity as long as they are well acquainted with the characteristics of the crude.
The TSB investigation into Lac-Megantic is continuing.
Meanwhile, there is a growing clamor from railroad industry leaders to change or replace older DOT-111 cars, with investor Warren Buffet saying it is clear that tank cars carrying crude need to be updated, echoing the view of Hunter Harrison, chief executive officer of Canadian Pacific Railway.
BNSF Railway, a unit of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, announced in late February that it plans to buy its own fleet of up to 5,000 tank cars with safety features that surpass the industry standards adopted two years ago.
Buffett said on a CNBC program that crude from the Bakken in North Dakota and Montana and the Eagle Ford in south Texas has proven more volatile than expected and that the volatility may have contributed to several fiery derailments in the past eight months.
Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways decided in February to charger higher rates for customers who move crude in cars built before October 2011, but BNSF has declined to comment on whether it will change its pricing.
