Chevron Pipeline Spill; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | 1996-May-14

Initial Notification: On May 13, 1996, approximately 1,000 barrels of #6 fuel oil was spilled from a leak in Chevron's black oil pipeline into the Waiau fresh water tributary, located west of Hawaiian Electric Company's (HECO) power plant in Pearl City, Oahu. The oil flowed from the fresh water tributary into the East Loch of Pearl Harbor. Before the leak, oil was being transported from the Chevron Hawaii Refinery through the company's 22.6-mile long pipeline to the Chevron Marine Terminal. Initial analysis indicated that the leak was caused by external corrosion of the pipeline. The pipeline was inspected by U. S. Department of Transportation (Office of Pipeline Safety) between May 23 and May 31. Following replacement of the damaged section of pipeline and internal inspection of its entire length, the pipeline was returned to service on May 25 at 80 percent of its pre-spill operating pressure with approval from federal and state agencies. USCG district 14. Keyword: endangered species, hot-water high-pressure washing, International Bird Rescue and Research Center, sorbent pom poms.