US approves Permian Express 2 restart

OREANDA-NEWS. September 22, 2016. Sunoco Logistics will re-start its 200,000 b/d Permian Express 2 crude pipeline "within the next several days," after federal regulators approved a restart plan, the company said today.

"We are currently working through a regulator-approved return to service plan," a spokesman said.

The line was shut after Sunoco identified a leak of 800 bl on 10 September near Sweetwater, Texas. Repairs were completed on 16 September.

The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on 14 September issued a Corrective Action Order to Sunoco which set requirements needed before the pipeline could return to service.

The order indicated that Sunoco identified pressure fluctuations on Permian Express 2 more than a week before it identified the leak on 10 September. Sunoco's control center identified the fluctuations beginning on 30 August which were possible indications of a leak.

PHMSA also said that a previous construction inspection had identified issues with welding on the pipeline.

Permian Express 2 transports crude from Colorado City and Garden City, Texas, to Nederland, Texas.