Bakken crude does not pose any greater risk than other transportation fuels, according to a recent study initiated by the North Dakota Petroleum Council, NDPC. At an opening session of the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 20, Continental Resources’ Jeff Hume presented preliminary results of a study that shows Bakken crude is consistent throughout the basin and comparable to other light, sweet crudes. NDPC Vice President Kari Cutting said in a statement, “This is the third independent study to confirm that Bakken crude does not significantly differ from other crude oils and poses no greater risks than other flammable liquids authorized for rail transport.”
The study, conducted by Turner, Mason and Co., sampled and tested crude from 15 well sites and seven rail loading facilities in the Bakken. More than 150 samples were taken from March 25 to April 24 to test density, vapor pressure, the temperatures in which the crude can ignite or become vapor and its sulfur weight. The study showed that Bakken crude has low corrosivity, did not change significantly in transit and may be hauled safely using existing DOT-III rank cars. The tests proved consistent with what American Petroleum Institute, API, members recently shared with the U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT.
“It is essential to separate fact from fiction as we work to enhance the safe transportation of crude oil,” said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. “Multiple studies have now debunked the idea that Bakken crude is meaningfully different than other crudes. This data will allow industry and regulators to base actions on science rather than speculation.”
Bakken remains stable as it travels
Three separate labs, two in North Dakota and one in Louisiana, tested identical samples of the oil. Hume noted that even the oil that was transported across the country stayed consistent with the locally delivered samples.
“You would think the difference would be that sample you hauled all the way to Louisiana, that it would evaporate or something would have gotten out of that sample container and it would have a higher initial boiling point, but that wasn't the case,” Hume said.
Each site was tested seven times, and one rail shipping location pulled data from August 2013 to March 2014 to observe seasonal differences.
“They had a slight 3psi (vapor pressure) increase in winter, but this is real common and what we should see,” Hume said. The crude averaged 11.7 psi in the tests, with a maximum of 14.4 psi, and DOT-III tank cars are designed to accept vapor pressures up to 100 psi. Inspections were also conducted to check for any tampering of contents at rail stations.
“There was no spiking at the rail stations - no hot spots - as that was an allegation,” he said at a press conference following his presentation. “That's not occurring.”
Rail cars
Though the Bakken crude study indicates that the liquid can safely be transported within the current design of DOT-III cars, regulators are considering newer, thicker cars more resistant to puncturing. But Cutting said they would be heavier and reduce rail car capacity.
“There is a maximum weight that the tracks can handle, so as you make it heavier, you'll reduce capacity so then you'll have more rail cars on the tracks,” Cutting said. “Adding more steel where you'll gain a thicker shell may not be the answer to not having a breach of that rail car.”
She said the key to improving safety will be to focus on track maintenance, staff training and train speeds.
Next steps
Hume said the study results will allow the industry to establish a new crude oil benchmark in addition to improving packing and classification standards. An idea is for tank cars to carry a “BKN” stamp so contents are easily identified as carrying Bakken crude.
“If we establish a Bakken benchmark, it ensures that everything we do, that everything that is shipped out of here is the same. If it has a BKN brand on it, it is in that range,” he said. “All the stakeholders … will know exactly what’s going forward and what they’re getting. Nothing has been spiked or blended into it and you’re getting the real deal.”
The NDPC plans to develop some standards and provide a final report of the study at the end of June.
