Oil giant BP has indefinitely shut down the nation's biggest oilfield after finding a pipeline leak, removing about 8 percent of U.S. oil production. (AP)
Miles of pipes in the largest oil field in the United States are corroded and it will take months to make repairs. Tests found losses of 70 to 81 percent in the 3/8-inch thickness of the pipe wall, the company said. After a major spill in March along the same network of pipes, the Department of Transportation ordered inspections with a device not used to inspect the pipes since 1992 because BP, at the time, determined the pipes too sludgy to test.
As a homeowner, I generally know the signs of aging pipes and take action before leaks develop that could cost me money. You would think a corporation making billions a year in profit would build a redundant system; switching out an aging pipe system so they didn’t stop the flow of product.
But wait a minute - the price of crude oil went up by 3% today because of this pipe incident. BP was rewarded for poor planning and cutting off the supply of their own product.
Terrorism, poor planning and shortages are just good business for those who profit in the oil business.
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From what I understand, the pipes would have lasted much longer if they had just done basic routine maintenance --no need to even build a redundant system. When I hear stories like this and their previous 1/4 million gallon spill, it scares me when Congress and Big Oil talk about opening up pristine areas like ANWR to drilling. Even the best technology can't help if you don't bother using it.
Good point. You would think that an oil company already pumping in Alaska, eager to tap into a new profit stream, would be watching every last wrench twist.