Pipe Line Prepared For Safety Testing

Tue., Aug. 29, 2000

From Staff

Olympic Pipe Line started pumping nitrogen gas in its 16-inch pipeline from Allen to Renton Monday morning in an effort to prepare for safety tests.

Nitrogen, an inert and harmless gas, will empty the pipeline of petroleum residues, so the lines can be tested with water, officials said.

Nitrogen pumping is set to continue Tuesday.

The pipeline has been closed since June 10, 1999, when three people died from a rupture that resulted in a fiery explosion in Bellingham.

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