Headquarters Daily Report

                         SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

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                    REPORT             NEGATIVE            NO INPUT
                    ATTACHED           INPUT RECEIVED      RECEIVED

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REGION II           û                                      
REGION III                             û                   
REGION IV                              û                   
PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED  MORNING REPORT - REGION II  SEP. 30, 1996

Licensee/Facility:                     Notification:

Duke Power Co.                         MR Number: 2-96-0090
Oconee 2                               Date: 09/30/96
Seneca,South Carolina                                                     
Dockets: 50-270
PWR/B&W-L-LP                          

Subject: UNIT 2 HEATER DRAIN PIPE RUPTURE                                
Reportable Event Number: 31053                         

Discussion:

This is an update to the September 24, 1996, Oconee Unit 2 heater drain  
line break and manual reactor trip.                                      
                                                                         
The NRC resident inspectors immediately responded onsite to the event.   
Later that evening, a Region II Branch Chief and inspector were          
dispatched to the site to begin a special, reactive inspection of the    
event. Subsequently joined by additional inspectors and material         
specialists from the Region and NRR, the special, reactive inspection    
effort was upgraded to an Augmented Inspection Team (AIT).               
                                                                         
Unit 2 is currently in cold shutdown to facilitate investigation/        
recovery activities. Units 1 and 3, unaffected by the event, continue to 
operate at 100 percent power. In addition to the site's                  
Investigation/Recovery Team and the corporate-led Event Investigation    
Team, the licensee has also obtained the services of contractors with    
previous experience in similar events to aid in the root cause analysis. 
After visual examination of the ruptured pipe and associated supports was
completed, a section of the drain piping (approximately 12 feet long)    
containing the rupture and other evidence of weld cracking was removed   
and thickness measurements were made by ultrasonics. There was no        
evidence found of wall thinning or erosion/corrosion. Today, selected    
portions of the removed piping were taken to the licensee's material labs
in the Applied Science Center at the McGuire site in order to conduct    
further examinations. Preliminary lab results are not expected until     
October 3, 1996. Visual examination and magnetic particle testing (MT) of
similar sections of piping in Unit 3 has been completed--no evidence of  
cracking was found. Visuals and MT in Unit 1 are to be completed today.  
The AIT has observed licensee piping inspections thus far, and continues 
to determine the facts surrounding the event.                            
                                                                         
As initially reported, seven employees sustained injuries from the pipe  
rupture and were transported offsite for medical treatment--four of which
remain in critical, but stable condition. None of the injured personnel  
were radioactively contaminated.                                         
                                                                         

Regional Action:

The AIT reports directly to the Regional Administrator.  Region II       
continues to provide support to the ongoing AIT.                         

Contact:  R. CARROLL                 (404)331-5543
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