When engineers first turned the spigot on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPs) in 1977, they thought it would run for about 30 years. But with its 31st anniversary approaching in June, the pipeline is supposedly primed for another 30 years. As producers continue to find ways to squeeze more oil from the frozen North Slope, a … Read More
pipeline corrosion
Alaska Spill May Signal New Corrosion Problems
Another day, another oil spill, this time on an Alaskan pipeline. Alaska officials are investigating the cause of a pipeline rupture on the North Slope earlier this week that they say could be a sign of more widespread corrosion problems at the state’s aging fields.
Yet Another BP Leak in Alaska
Can nothing go right for BP? Yesterday the company said it will shut down production of 100,000 barrels of Alaskan oil for a few days, after discovering yet another leaky pipe at a processing facility. Some 400,000 barrels of oil a day are pumped at Prudhoe Bay, and BP has a 25 percent stake in … Read More
Congress Criticises BP’s Alaskan Operations
So BP is meant to have entered a new era with its new CEO Tony Hayward. But where was Hayward until recently? He was in charge of BP’s exploration and production division. He was in charge of the company’s Alaskan operations that have been plagued by problems of cost cutting and corrosion. Well now US … Read More
The $30 Billion Alaskan Gas Pipeline
The concept of huge gas pipeline that snakes all the way from Alaska’s North Slope across Canada to the lower American states draws closer to being a reality. Alaska’s new Governor Sarah Palin, has announced that she will submit her natural gas pipeline legislation within two weeks. Anyone interested in building the line will have … Read More
BP In More Trouble Over BTC Pipeline
BP’s troubles continue. A US government lending agency has been told by its own internal accountability watchdog that it must monitor more closely the safety of BP’s Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, amid allegations that the company failed to report cracks and leaks in its coating. A report from the office of accountability at the Overseas Private Investment … Read More
Sir John’s Toxic Legacy
We don’t want to overdo the concept of “irony” on the blog. But here are a couple to make you think. Here’s the first one: BP’s retiring CEO, Sir John Browne’s, is set to walk of with a retirement pot of $140 million. Not bad eh? We know he leaves behind chronic failures in BP … Read More
BP: Report to Heavily Criticise Safety Performance
A scathing report will be released today that criticizes safety and management practices at BP’s American operations, after an investigation at a Texas refinery nearly two years ago which killed 15 people and injured more than 170 others. The report, by James Baker, the former US Secretary of State, will state: “BP has not always … Read More
Conoco Phillips Increases Pipeline Monitoring in Alaska
Its not just BP who is worried about corrosion on Alaska’s North Slope. After seeing BP’s reputation ravaged this year, Conoco Phillips has stepped up its efforts to prevent corrosion-related leaks in its own Alaska pipelines.
BP’s Day of Reckoning
Later today, some of BP’s most senior executives will face their first Congressional grilling over their corrosion problems at Prudhoe Bay. Although BP’s embattled CEO Sir John Browne won’t be testifying, Bob Malone, the new head of BP America will be grilled by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The hearing is called “BP’s … Read More
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