emergency MANAGEMENT 

How To Recognize A Pipeline Leak

In the unlikely event of a pipeline leak, typically, one or any combination of these helps you recognize a leak:

Sight: You may notice dark brown spots on the ground, dead vegetation, or an oily sheen on top of the ground or floating on the surface of a body of water, which may indicate the presence of a leak in a crude oil pipeline system.

Sound: You may hear a bubbling sound.

Smell: Crude oil vapors are heavier than air and therefore hover and travel low to the ground. In cases of sweet crude oil release, you may notice a sweet petroleum smell. Sour crude oil has higher levels of sulfur and has a more distinct odor of rotten eggs.

How You Should Respond To And Report A Pipeline Emergency: How Does CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP Respond To An Emergency:

To prepare for an incident, CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP regularly communicates plans and trains with local emergency responders. Upon the notification of an incident or leak, CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP will immediately take steps to minimize the amount of product compromised and dispatch trained personnel to assist emergency responders. CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP personnel and emergency responders are trained to protect life, property, and facilities in the case of an emergency.

CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP conducts emergency drills at all operating locations to test its emergency response plan and to practice emergency response activities in order to assure effective emergency preparedness. Annually, CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP coordinates an exercise of its full Emergency Response Team with local, state, and federal agencies and officials to promote familiarity and training among all parties that would be involved in a response to a pipeline incident.

If a pipeline incident is suspected, CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP will immediately shut down its pipeline and route emergency response personnel to the scene to assess the situation and to minimize any public safety or environmental impact. The CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP Emergency Response Team will be available to isolate or shut down any pipeline system facilities, respond effectively to the incident, and communicate with local emergency response and public officials.

Emergency Response Preparedness Tools and Important Information:

There are many tools available for Emergency Responders to be prepared and understand pipeline and utility incident risks. In addition, having coordinated and prepared emergency response plans with pipeline operators leads to a more effective response. Please contact your local pipeline operator(s) for more specific information. Contact information can be found in the participating pipeline operators section of this booklet.

Pipeline Emergencies Training:
Access information about Pipeline Emergencies at http://nasfm-training.org/pipeline/.
Course Offerings: Awareness, Operations, Technician.
First responders may be eligible for continuing education credits.

Effective communication and coordination between emergency responders and the pipeline operator is important for the successful management of pipeline incidents. CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP maintains a highly trained Emergency Response Team and Fire Brigade that can reach any location along its pipeline with response equipment within 1 hour of notification. The Team is fully trained on crude oil response for any release, fire, or other emergency resulting from a pipeline incident. CASPIAN MARINE GROUP, LLP primarily relies on local emergency responders for backup support, any necessary evacuations, and ensuring the safety of the public.

For an effective response, please deploy the following actions:

Securing the area and perimeter of the incident by restricting traffic and, if necessary, informing people in the area to evacuate or stay inside their homes.
Employ National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command Center (ICS).
Provide Medical Assistance.
Contact the applicable pipeline operator and communicate any of the following information:
The name and contact information of the caller.
The location of the incident.
Existence of primary (at the pipeline) or secondary fires.
Characteristics of the release (noise, quantity of crude oil, etc.).
Other site-specific concerns (dry conditions, overhead power lines, etc.).

Never attempt to operate pipeline valves; this could prolong/worsen an incident/cause another leak in the pipeline.