eNatech - Natech Accident

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Type

Natech Accident

Date

1998/02/27

Natural Hazard

Landslide, Ecuador, 1998

Site ID

Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline, Ecuador

Status

Published

Units Involved

Name
Pipeline
Type
Transport: Pipeline
Description
The pipeline was located at 12 km from an oil terminal transporting oil from Amazonia to the pacific coast.
Name
Port wharfs
Type
Storage: Warehouse

Event Sequences

Name

Pipeline spill

Unit

1. Pipeline

Substances Involved

Name
Oil
Involved Quantity
2500 m³

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Component (Structural): Pipeline break / damage The landslide caused the rupture of the pipeline.	Release: Liquid release to water body Ca. 2500 m3 of oil spilled out of the broken pipeline	Event Sequence: Explosion and Fire Dispersion: Substance in / on water Oil contaminated rivers and the ocean.

Name

Explosion and Fire

Unit

2. Port wharfs

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Event Sequence: Pipeline spill	-	Fire: Unknown The fire spread to the wharfs of the port but spared the refinery and the gas pipeline. Walls of fire as high as 10 m were observed. Explosion: Unknown According to testimony by witnesses, the explosion happened when the fire engulfed a propane canister shop, thereby igniting a fireball. Contributing Factors Measure: Emergency water systems: Unavailable The rescue operations were hampered by a water shortage following the rupture of pipelines.

Emergency Response

Response to the Natech Event

The rescue operations lasted 6 hours and were complicated by water shortage following the rupture of pipelines.

Consequences

On-site Fatalities

On-site Injured

110

Human Health Impacts

40 people injured suffered 50% burns. Another 40 people were reported missing and 600 people were evacuated.

Community Disruption

624 people were rendered homeless.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned on Organisational Aspects

The laying of pipelines in areas with potentially unstable soil should be avoided, where possible.

Lessons Learned on Mitigation Measures

In general, pipelines should be fitted with adequate mechanical protection coupled with stress monitoring to mitigate the impact of slow landslides. No mitigation measures for the impact of rapid, catastrophic landslides on pipelines exist. In this case, only costly pipeline relocation or slope stabilisation can mitigate the risk.

ID: 38, Created: Bogdan DORNEANU, 2014-02-17 10:43:09 – Last Updated: Amos NECCI, 2021-01-04 18:28:27

Attachments

No	Description		File Size
1.Click here to select record	Aria 12507, French Ministry of Sustainable Development		537.60KB
2.Click here to select record	Los Angeles Times		62.71KB