Event Notification Report for April 13, 2003
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
04/12/2003 - 04/13/2003
EVENT NUMBERS
39754
Power Reactor
Event Number: 39754
Facility: SOUTH TEXAS
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RON GIBBS
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RON GIBBS
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 04/13/2003
Notification Time: 19:06 [ET]
Event Date: 04/13/2003
Event Time: 16:56 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/21/2003
Notification Time: 19:06 [ET]
Event Date: 04/13/2003
Event Time: 16:56 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/21/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
Person (Organization):
DAVID LOVELESS (R4)
DAVID LOVELESS (R4)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown |
REACTOR VESSEL BOTTOM HEAD DEGRADED CONDITION
"On 4/12/2003, during the Unit 1 11th (1RE11) refueling outage, an inspection was performed of the vessel bottom head. This bare metal inspection identified a potential leak indication at the head to penetration interface for Bottom Mounted Instrumentation (BMI) penetrations 1 and 46. There was a small amount of residue around the outer circumference of the BMI penetrations. No wastage was observed. Samples of the residue were taken and the area was cleaned with demineralized water. Chemical sample results available as of 1300 on 4/13/2003 are not conclusive; however, they have confirmed that the residue found at the Penetration 46 contains boron, indicating that this could be an RCS leak. The residue removed from Penetration 1 was characterized as 'gummy' and its composition is still under investigation. Additional exams are planned to confirm the likely origin of the residue and to determine the scope of any repairs. There has been no indication of RCS leakage observed at the BMI penetrations during previous operational cycles. This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A)."
Unit 1 will remain in mode 5 until appropriate corrective actions are identified. The licensee informed the NRC resident inspector.
* * * * UPDATE 1151 EDT 04/18/03 FROM WAYNE HARRISON TO MIKE RIPLEY * * *
"STP Nuclear Operating Co. will be making a press release [at 12:00 pm 04/18/03] concerning the indications found on the Bottom Mounted Instrumentation penetrations on Unit 1. The release is being coordinated with NRC Region IV.
"STP has notified or will be notifying various federal, state and local agencies, including FEMA, the governors office, Matagorda County, Bay City. City of Palacios, state representatives and state senators, US representatives and US Senators."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R4DO (C. Johnson), HQ PAO (W. Beecher)
*** UPDATE AT 1745 EDT ON 05/21/03 FROM WAYNE HARRISON TO ARLON COSTA ***
"STP Nuclear Operating Co. expects to make a press release on 5/22/2003 concerning the indications found on the Bottom Mounted Instrumentation penetrations on Unit 1. NRC Region IV has been advised of the planned press release. STPNOC will also be sharing the press release with various local and state government agencies.
"The draft release is attached.
"NRC was notified of the leakage per 10CFR50.72 on 4/13/2003 (EN# 39754).
"NRC was notified of a press release describing the leakage on 4/18/2003 (EN#39754 update)."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified HQ PAO (W. Beecher) and R4DO(T. Pruett).
"On 4/12/2003, during the Unit 1 11th (1RE11) refueling outage, an inspection was performed of the vessel bottom head. This bare metal inspection identified a potential leak indication at the head to penetration interface for Bottom Mounted Instrumentation (BMI) penetrations 1 and 46. There was a small amount of residue around the outer circumference of the BMI penetrations. No wastage was observed. Samples of the residue were taken and the area was cleaned with demineralized water. Chemical sample results available as of 1300 on 4/13/2003 are not conclusive; however, they have confirmed that the residue found at the Penetration 46 contains boron, indicating that this could be an RCS leak. The residue removed from Penetration 1 was characterized as 'gummy' and its composition is still under investigation. Additional exams are planned to confirm the likely origin of the residue and to determine the scope of any repairs. There has been no indication of RCS leakage observed at the BMI penetrations during previous operational cycles. This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A)."
Unit 1 will remain in mode 5 until appropriate corrective actions are identified. The licensee informed the NRC resident inspector.
* * * * UPDATE 1151 EDT 04/18/03 FROM WAYNE HARRISON TO MIKE RIPLEY * * *
"STP Nuclear Operating Co. will be making a press release [at 12:00 pm 04/18/03] concerning the indications found on the Bottom Mounted Instrumentation penetrations on Unit 1. The release is being coordinated with NRC Region IV.
"STP has notified or will be notifying various federal, state and local agencies, including FEMA, the governors office, Matagorda County, Bay City. City of Palacios, state representatives and state senators, US representatives and US Senators."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R4DO (C. Johnson), HQ PAO (W. Beecher)
*** UPDATE AT 1745 EDT ON 05/21/03 FROM WAYNE HARRISON TO ARLON COSTA ***
"STP Nuclear Operating Co. expects to make a press release on 5/22/2003 concerning the indications found on the Bottom Mounted Instrumentation penetrations on Unit 1. NRC Region IV has been advised of the planned press release. STPNOC will also be sharing the press release with various local and state government agencies.
"The draft release is attached.
"NRC was notified of the leakage per 10CFR50.72 on 4/13/2003 (EN# 39754).
"NRC was notified of a press release describing the leakage on 4/18/2003 (EN#39754 update)."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified HQ PAO (W. Beecher) and R4DO(T. Pruett).