To: Editors, News Directors

Date: January 2, 2004

For: Immediate Release

Minor Leak on Attachment to Pipeline Located, Repaired

PHOENIX – This afternoon, the Arizona Corporation Commission's Office of Pipeline Safety was notified by Kinder Morgan of a small leak on a half-inch steel bleed line (valve) that attaches to the main 8-inch pipeline that moves fuel between Tucson and Phoenix. The leak was reported promptly by Kinder Morgan and repaired, with service restored to the line in approximately three hours. Commissioner Kristin K. Mayes accompanied Arizona investigators to the scene. The Chairman and other Commissioners were kept apprized of the situation, as were appropriate state and local authorities.

Additional pertinent details are as follows:

• The leak occurred in rural area approximately two miles west of the town of Maricopa, between Maricopa and Casa Grande.
• The portion of pipe that was faulty was a small piece attached to the main line. The main line is intact and was not found to be defective.
• The problem was discovered by Kinder Morgan officials during a check of their lines to see if the stress corrosion cracking condition (believed to be a factor in the July 30 rupture in Tucson) exists anywhere else on the line. No corrosion was found at this site and corrosion is NOT suspected to be the cause of this minor leak.
• There was no ignition of fuel and no pooling of liquid gasoline.
• It is not known whether the release of fuel was sudden and recent or if it occurred over a period of time. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality was informed because the incident involved a release of fuel. The question to be answered after further review by ADEQ is how much fuel was released and over what period of time.
• The Arizona Corporation Commission's pipeline safety officials will be completing a field report and will respond to any requests from the US Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety, which regulates interstate pipeline operators.