Update on gas leak from Alaskan pipeline
Published by Stephanie Roker,
Editor
World Pipelines,
An 8 in. dia. underwater natural gas pipeline, operated by Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, has been leaking in Alaska’s Cook Inlet for approximately 10 days. The pipeline runs roughly 80 ft below the inlet.
Though the line has been leaking for a number of days, Candice Bressler, Spokeswoman for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, stated that the risk to public health and safety is small.
However, she continued to explain that "environmental risk is less easy to quantify since a monitoring and assessment programme is not yet in place."
The US Coast Guard has warned mariners to steer clear of the gas, by at least 300 m.
No cause of the leak has been determined yet, but the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA) are currently investigating.
Mike Munger, CIRCAC Executive Director, discussed the cause of the leak: “We do not know the specific cause of this particular leak, but just by virtue of age – many of the platforms and pipelines in Cook Inlet are near or have surpassed 50 years of age – we believe the infrastructure warrants increased oversight and close scrutiny.”
Bressler also revealed the reason why the line was not shut down. “There are significant issues associated with shutting down the pipe, including the safety and safety systems of the crews on the four platforms that the pipeline supplies.”
Similarly, Hilcorp Spokeswoman, Lori Nelson, said: "If a minimum pressure is not maintained in the pipeline it could fill with water which would allow for the escape of residual crude oil, as this line was previously used as a crude oil pipeline.”
The pipeline is estimated to be leaking approximately 210 000 - 310 000 ft3/d.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/equipment-and-safety/21022017/update-on-gas-leak-from-alaskan-pipeline/
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