Gulf Oil Leak Not Bad Enuff? Read this...

[RWebb]

an article in a forthcoming edition of the journal Geophysical Research Letters, shows that the oil piplines that run across the FLOOR of the Gulf are at risk of severe damage & leaks from hurricanes. The analysis is based on data from Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Ivan passed over a network of sensors on the ocean floor.

There are 31,000 miles of pipelines along the seafloor of the Gulf and they could crack or rupture unless they are buried or their supporting foundations are built to withstand hurricane-induced currents. Impacts on the ocean environment could be severe and long lasting.


The storm track over the sensor net allowed measurement of hurricane-induced stresses. The authors found that hurricanes cause underwater currents strong enough to dig up the seabed to 300 feet below the surface. This can cause underwater mudslides and damage pipes and other equipment that rest on the bottom.


Ivan caused ~~ 168 pipeline damage reports, but only small amounts of oil were spilled.

Hurricane damage to pipelines is fairly common. There have been more than 1,000 reports of damage to Gulf oil pipelines over the past 20 years. Together, Katrina and Rita caused 124 spills, with a total volume of roughly 17,700 barrels of total petroleum products.


The destructive currents persisted surprisingly long after Hurricane Ivan passed over. Stresses on the seafloor lasted nearly a week, AFTER the hurricane was over.

Hurricane season starts today, so Bon Appetit!

[cgarr]

And with all that oil sitting on the surface sucking up heat we could get some real doozies this year!

[Oracle]

Probably has to do with economics, I'm pretty sure is way cheaper to fix/maintain during the lifetime of the pipelines that to "doing it right". Is one of those things there is very little research.

[cbush]

OK- but pipelines are monitored for leaks, and unlike this current disaster, can easily be shut off.

[m21sniper]

We hope.

[chapo]

Randy should stop using his Porsche and contributing to this heinous mess.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by cbush

OK- but pipelines are monitored for leaks, and unlike this current disaster, can easily be shut off.

Only if the required and speced valves and control systems are included when the pipeline is built.

Sometimes they're not...and that's all I can say

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Only if the required and speced valves and control systems are included when the pipeline is built.

Sometimes they're not...and that's all I can say

Yep, but the operator will immediately get a signal of loss of pressure or volume and they'll stop pumping, the disaster is "contained" as opposed to the BP spill.

To be fair if any pipeline owner is found to approve pipelines without valves should get massive fines as the pipelines can have small leaks...

[RWebb]

one problem - you are assuming the operator is present on station

that may well not be true in a big hurricane

[Oracle]

I want to think whoever built them approved (and verified) automatic control systems. They're a necessity for underwater transmission. A few years ago they relied on the operator to look at the gauge at different intervals and as usual when human factor is added a disaster is just waiting around the corner. On land all pipelines are controlled with auto-valves because is infinitely easier to audit pipelines on land than deep in the sea. (the greenies walk but don't dive generally)

During hurricane conditions the wells can be shutoff during intervals and pumps stop working. Nobody likes it but its the right thing to do, I think of it as heavy fog in the airports..

Anyway I hope all drilling, operators and owners are scared ****less if they're caught cheating...