Oil Spill Raises Concerns on Pipeline Maintenance (Alaska)

[donsu]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/20/national/20spill.html?_r=2&th&emc=th&oref=slogin&oref=slogin


An oil spill this month in Alaska, the largest ever on the North Slope, has raised new concerns among state and federal regulators about whether BP has been properly maintaining its aging network of wells, pumps and pipelines that crisscross the tundra.

BP Exploration Alaska, the subsidiary of the international oil giant that operates the corroded transmission line from which more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil leaked, has been criticized and fined in several different cases, most recently in 2004 when state regulators fined the company more than $1.2 million.

Now the division of the federal Department of Transportation responsible for pipeline safety is looking into the company's maintenance practices.

-snip-

BP has cultivated a worldwide image as a company concerned about the environment, recognizing global warming and making conspicuous efforts at aggressive environmental protection in many places.

But the most recent spill, which spurted from an elevated transmission pipeline at a spot where it dips to ground level to allow caribou to cross, has prompted critics inside the industry and among environmental groups to revisit questions raised four years ago. They question whether the company is skimping on maintenance and inspections to save money — a complaint the company strenuously denies.
-snip-
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and they didn't do "smart pigging "

[madrchsod]

1. maintenance costs money, time, and effort

it cuts into bottom line profits. fix machinery only when it is broken,it`s the american way.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. You will be amused by this editorial

in the "Voice of the Times" section of the Anchorage Daily News this morning. (The conservative Anchorage Times used to publish here; they were bought out by the more liberal Anchorage Daily News years ago. The News has allowed the old Times editors a corner of the opinion page to spout their drivel.)

You will see here that the spill is the ENVIRONMENTALISTS' fault!

http://www.adn.com/opinion/voice/story/7551655p-7463249c.html

Field line designers warned against buried crossings

Published: March 21, 2006
Last Modified: March 21, 2006 at 12:04 AM

Some of the experts who designed the trans-Alaska oil pipeline system and North Slope field lines are gritting their teeth over the corrosion problem that caused a leak in a Prudhoe Bay field line.

Dennis Nottingham, president of PND Engineers, says he and others had grave concerns at the time that burying the animal crossings would create the potential for future leaks. He said engineers argued that buried pipe is more susceptible to breaks, corrosion and leaks.

Caribou, bears and other animals have proved not to care whether pipelines are buried or elevated, but at the time the environmental activists argued strongly for buried crossings and the producer companies conceded to them.

"Environmentalists forced the issue and I personally hold them responsible for that leak," Nottingham said.

[donsu]

3. puke on Nottingham

he's just peeved they got caught not doing maintenance