Colonial Pipeline Co. makes announcement.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 1994--Colonial Pipeline Co. has announced that it expects to complete temporary repairs to its 36-inch mainline originating at Houston, around 10 p.m. CST tonight.

The line was damaged by unprecedented flooding of the San Jacinto River on Oct. 20. The flooding river cut a new 10- to 16-foot-deep temporary channel to the west of the river's old course.

In the process, the river scoured 17 pipelines formerly located on dry land from their trenches. Five of the pipelines, including two lines owned by Colonial, were severely damaged by the raging river.

According to Colonial's Gulf Coast District Leader Bill Collins of Beaumont, Texas, repairs included the laying of more than 1,000 feet of half-inch-thick steel pipe coated with seven inches of concrete in a new trench. The new heavy-duty pipe was coated with concrete to protect it from damage in the event the river cuts through the same area in the future.

According to Collins, repairs also included placing two new valves closer to the San Jacinto River. One new valve is located on the west bank of the river at Sheldon Rd., while the other valve on the east bank of the river has been installed at Crosby-Lynchburg Rd. The nearest valves to the river before the temporary repairs were completed were located further apart.

Collins said that the repairs that permit the resumption of service on the Colonial 36-inch line are temporary. In the near future, Colonial will install new permanent river crossings for both its 36-inch and 40-inch lines. Plans are being made by Colonial engineers for installation of new pipes in a deep bore under the San Jacinto flood plain.

According to Bill Copenhaver, who is transportation services central leader for Colonial in Atlanta, the company will begin filling the empty pipeline shortly after repairs are completed.

Pressurization and placement of the line back in service will not occur until daylight tomorrow so that Colonial observation aircraft can watch for anything amiss.

When the 36-inch line is placed back in service tomorrow, Colonial will initially operate its 5,300-mile pipeline system at slightly over 2.0 million barrels per day. The system was operating at 1.9 million barrels per day when the accident affecting the San Jacinto River and Houston Ship Channel occurred.

CONTACT: Colonial Pipeline Co., Atlanta

              Noel Griese, 404/841-2211
              Chris Crowley, Houston, 713/421-7950