Investigation Report
BP Amoco Thermal Decomposition Incident — Final Investigation Report
BP Amoco Thermal Decomposition Incident — Final Investigation Report
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- Learning from incidentsLoss of containmentPressure systemsProcess safetyRisk management
- Inspection and maintenance
- Pressure vesselProcess pipework and pipelinesValve
- Energy and process isolationManagement of changeOperating and work proceduresRisk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Investigates the fatal opening of a pressurised polymer catch tank at BP Amoco’s Augusta plastics facility. Retained molten polymer generated gas while solidified material obstructed venting. The report examines reactive-hazard evaluation, overfilling, unreliable isolation and indications, procedural changes and incident learning, supported by reconstruction and thermal testing.
Classifications: Learning from incidents; incident learning; lessons learnt; lessons learned.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Risk management; risk evaluation.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.