EffectiveProblemSolving,LLC

ApolloRootCauseAnalysisARCA
Training,InvestigationandConsulting

Tel:+1.864.552.0051|Fax:+1.815.390.1705

EPSRootCauseAnalysis
AuburnCompressorStationExplosion
ExecutiveSummary/PreliminaryFindings

Incidentdate:December1,2014
Analysisdate:December3,2014,
ExecutiveSummaryReportDate:December4,2014

RegencyEnergyPartnersLP
Clientcontact/RCASponsor:
EdSenavaitis
Manager,RegulatoryAffairs,Northeast
9999HamiltonBlvd.,Suite110
Breinigsville,PA18031
Phone:4848097494,5705053777
ed.senavaitis@regencygas.com

(EPS)EffectiveProblemSolving,LLCcontact:
DennisRygaardCEO
4093703336
125TradeCourtSuiteF#175
Mooresville,NC28117
dennis.rygaard@epsrca.com

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EffectiveProblemSolving,LLC
ApolloRootCauseAnalysisARCA
Training,InvestigationandConsulting

Tel:+1.864.552.0051|Fax:+1.815.390.1705

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

This summary contains the preliminary findings from an Apollo Root Cause Analysis (ARCA)
conductedinTunkhannock,PAinregardtoanincidentthatresultedinafire/explosionthatoccurred
on the morning of December 1, 2014 at the Auburn Compressor Station facility. Effective Problem
Solving, LLC was contracted by Regency Energy Partners to facilitate a crossfunctional team of
Regency Energy Partners employees and a third party compressor expert from CDM Resource
ManagementLLCthroughtheanalysis.

Thepurposeoftheanalysiswastodeterminethecausesthatcontributedtotheincidentandidentify
solutionstocontrolthesecausesinanefforttopreventorlowertheprobabilityofafutureoccurrence.

TheRCAwasfacilitatedbyMr.DennisRygaard(EPS)andwasconductedutilizingtheApolloRootCause
Analysismethod.Theresultsarebasedentirelyuponinformationprovidedbyrepresentativesofthe
above mentioned parties present at the RCA group facilitation and evidence provided by employees
notpresentatthefacilitation.Morecausesmayemergeifnewevidenceorinformationispresented.

Thepreliminaryfindingsindicatethatthefireandexplosionoccurredwhenanunplannedreleaseof
hydrocarbon vapors (97.5 % methane) were released and ignited. The unplanned release occurred
duringnormaloperatingconditionswhenacarbonsteelschedule180nippleonapressuregauge
assembly broke off of the Unit One Compressor discharge east scrubber bottle in an enclosed
structure. The gauge assembly was a field installation (non OEM) so operations could monitor
differential pressure in the process. The nipple had been in service since startup of the facility in
October 2013. The configuration of the assembly (material of construction, size, weight, etc) and
vibrationinherentincompressoroperationsand/orexcessivevibrationmorethanlikelycontributedto
thefailure.

Corrosion from chemical attack on the nipple may have played a role as well however; evidence to
supportthiswillbenotbedetermineduntilametallurgicalanalysisofthepressuregaugeassemblyhas
beenconducted.Themostprobablecausefortheignitionsourceistheexhaustmanifoldontheunit
which reaches temperatures of 1250 degrees Fahrenheit. The exhaust manifold has some level of
insulationhowever;itspurposeistoprovidethermalprotectiononly.

It should be noted that the Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESDs) in place functioned as designed
which eliminated a potential for a catastrophic event. There were no injuries as a result of the
explosion.Thebuildingsustainedmajordamagehowever;theequipmentuponinitialassessmentdid
notamechanicalintegrityinvestigationoftheequipmentisinprogresstoconfirmthisconclusion.

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ApolloRootCauseAnalysisARCA
Training,InvestigationandConsulting

Tel:+1.864.552.0051|Fax:+1.815.390.1705

The RCA team feels confident that implementation of the recommendations from the analysis will
preventorreducetheprobabilityofasimilareventoccurringinthefuture.

ForadditionalinformationpleasecontactRegencyPartnersLPrepresentative:
KevinRoberts
DirectorofEnvironmental
6108758207
KRoberts@pvrpartners.com

SubmittedDecember4,2014
DennisRygaardCEOEffectiveProblemSolving,LLC

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