Headquarters Daily Report
MARCH 02, 2001
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REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT
ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED
HEADQUARTERS X
REGION I X
REGION II X
REGION III X
REGION IV X
PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II MARCH 2, 2001
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Duke Power Co. MR Number: 2-01-0003
Oconee 3 Date: 03/02/01
Seneca,South Carolina
Dockets: 50-287
PWR/B&W-L-LP
Subject: PRESSURE BOUNDARY LEAKAGE - OCONEE UNIT 3 (UPDATE)
Discussion:
This is an update to Event Report Number 37760. On February 17, 2001,
Oconee Unit 3 performed a planned shutdown to replace a leaking
(approximately 1.5 gallon per minute) pressurizer code safety relief
valve. Following the shutdown, visual inspections of the reactor vessel
head revealed evidence of boron buildup around six control rod drive
mechanisms (CRDMs). The licensee performed these inspections due to
similar indications of pressure boundary leakage found during the most
recent Unit 1 outage (see Event Report Number 37567).
Currently, Unit 3 remains fueled with the reactor vessel head removed to
facilitate non-destructive examinations. Although the results of the
examinations are still under review, one or more axial indications have
been identified thus far in each of the six CRDM vessel head nozzles.
Three additional CRDM nozzles which had some indications of boron at the
head area also received non-destructive examination. The preliminary
examination results identified indications in these nozzles. The licensee
is developing plans to examine a representative sample of the remaining
CRDM nozzles.
Regional Action:
A conference call between the NRC and the licensee was held on March 1,
2001, to discuss the licensee's current examination results, status of
their root cause investigation, and proposed repair plans. An additional
conference call will be held when more definitive examination results are
available. The resident inspectors, along with the Region and NRR, will
continue to monitor the licensee's recovery actions.
Contact: ROBERT HAAG (404)562-4550
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