Log In | Register
One critical maintenance issue concerns the replacement of the warning systems used to alert workers to a gas leak that could lead to an explosion.
The need to replace the gas detectors was made a priority in 2001 in an internal BP report that said oil field technicians were "very concerned about continuing degradation of system reliability, and the ability of these systems to protect the workforce."
Nine years later, outdated systems to detect fire and leaked gas remain in place at some of BP's largest and most important plants, including the Central Power Station, several drill pads and two flow stations that route oil and gas into the pipeline system.
Many of the detection systems are obsolete - the manufacturers that made them are shuttered - so replacement parts are hard to come by, said Kovac, the mechanic. More important, the systems have to be shut down every time BP conducts maintenance on its facilities and pipelines, because the methods used to scan the equipment for flaws have been known to trigger the ultraviolet detectors that set off the fire and gas alarms.
Extensive corrosion threatens BP pipelines in Alaska, risking explosions, spills
Article Source: The Washington Post- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (20)
The document, obtained by the journalism group ProPublica, shows that as of Oct. 1, at least 148 BP pipelines on Alaska's North Slope received an "F-rank'' from the company. According to BP oil workers, that means inspections have determined that more than 80 percent of the pipe wall is corroded and could rupture. Most of those lines carry toxic or flammable substances. Many of the metal walls of the F-ranked pipes are worn to within a few thousandths of an inch of bursting, according to the document, risking an explosion or spills.
- 1 vote
#1 - Thu Nov 4, 2010 5:35 AM EDTBP employees told ProPublica that several of the 120 turbines used to compress gas and push it through the pipelines have been modified to run at higher stress levels and higher temperatures than they were originally designed to handle. They also said giant tanks that hold hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic fluids and waste are sagging under the load of corrosive sediment and could collapse.
- 1 vote
#2 - Thu Nov 4, 2010 5:37 AM EDTThese are visible signs of a disaster just waiting to explode. It reminded me of the platform wrecks sticking partially submerged and corroded pipelines are laid to waste after the collapse of the Soviet union. The only difference is - one has collapsed while the other is on the verge.
- 2 votes
#3 - Thu Nov 4, 2010 5:41 AM EDTAhh... Quit whining. A little duct tape. And it's good as new. There's money to be made.
Hey. I know. Let's outsource the pipe line. And congress too, now that the repubes took over the house.
- 3 votes
#4 - Thu Nov 4, 2010 6:33 AM EDTAs long as the Shareholders keep raking in profits (the raison d'etra of any Corporation), all is well in the sociopathic worldview of BP.
For God's sake, viruses have more compassion.
- 3 votes
AC Griffith interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ6V2fFv6EI
A few points.
Well is not capped.
Technology doesn't exist to use relief wells at that depth - therefore they are lieing.
People need to be evacuated, air and water are poisoning them.
Govt won't help because it means business failures, bank failures bankrupt economy everything.
BP trying to divert water to other wells - will fail because the wells are failing already.
lots more... in video.
- 1 vote
#6 - Thu Nov 4, 2010 7:56 AM EDTBK
BP trying to divert water to other wells - will fail because the wells are failing already.
This might be why they are redirecting/laying pipes.
Are there any wells near the vicinity of DE and DD3?
- 1 vote
eth Could not get pass the first section of video. Wonder why?
Wonder if you can elaborate on the diversion. It achieve the objective if they drill from below from another location (well) or existing platform. If they want to divert above the seafloor then they have to have a subsea production facility.
Whatever they are doing, should they not apply for the permit? Should they not publicly announce their plan? I am sure it would boost their share prices.
- 1 vote
BK
I just replayed portions of the video and had no problem with it.
He didn't provide any additional information/reason other than direct the flow away from the blown well to other wells to give the appearance that it was coming from them.
Sounds like something evil/deceiving BP would conjure up.
- 1 vote
Eth, this would be consistent with the grouting evidence. So that the oil will flow sideways thru the subseabed pathways away from the macondo sote. But Mother nature is not cooperating.
A few weeks after the extensive grouting, the cracks came back
- 1 vote
Another disaster waiting to happen -- it's all so frustrating. Why isn't anyone paying attention?
- 1 vote
#8 - Fri Nov 5, 2010 8:03 PM EDTSadly, no one important is etva. On the other hand if BP had listened to sound advice, they would not be in this sh!t.
- 1 vote
BK, are you saying I'm not important? LOL -- just kidding:)
- 1 vote
Sorry etva. I did not mean it that way. I mean those guys that mattered on the safety pipelines. You and I plus the safety inspectors and those managers concerned about safety can bitch all we want, but as long as the BP's finance dept do not give the funds for replacement, repairs or upgrading, the disaster is just waiting to happen.
- 1 vote
I knew what you meant -- just teasing you. And I agree, the people who should be noticing, conveniently do not.
- 1 vote
All the NV columnists are important to me. It gives me a gauge on the human feelings.
(((((etva))))).
- 1 vote
(((((BK)))))))
Keep up the good work -- you really are helping by keeping us aware and informed!
- 1 vote
I will as long as there are interested truth seekers like you. ((((((((etva))))))))
- 2 votes
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
