Second BP pipe break reported in Alaska

A break in a 3-in. natural gas line at BP PLC's Prudhoe Bay production facilities Apr. 6 released about 12 Mcf of gas—less than the amount mandated for reporting, said a company spokesman.

April 19, 2006

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 19 -- A break in a 3-in. natural gas line at BP PLC's Prudhoe Bay production facilities Apr. 6 released about 12 Mcf of gas—less than the amount mandated for reporting, said a company spokesman.

External corrosion probably was the cause, BP said. The leak followed last month's 201,000 gal oil spill between two gathering facilities on Alaska's North Slope (OGJ, Mar. 27, 2006, Newsletter).

The North Slope spill mostly has been cleaned up, Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation said. BP and the US Environmental Protection Agency are investigating that spill, tentatively attributed to internal corrosion.

BP spokesman Daren Beaudo said the EPA has subpoenaed a consulting firm that participated in the company's corrosion control efforts.

Gov. Frank H. Murkowski has called for a corrosion conference and directed Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation to assemble an arctic pipeline technology team with the Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and the federal Office of Pipeline Safety.

The team is to work with professionals with expertise in arctic pipeline engineering on leak detection, corrosion prevention, monitoring, and inspection to ensure the integrity of the oil pipeline infrastructure.