Conflicting reports about the size and scope of the major oil pipeline spill in Russia's Komi arctic region continue to emanate from Russia.
Even as Moscow authorities dismiss some of the early reports of the size of spill and its environmental damage as exaggerated, other reports are coming in that the spill may be even larger than those early reports. In addition, there are allegations of a coverup of pipeline leaks by local officials.
Moscow has put out a call for international help in cleaning up the spill.
About 62 billion rubles and 1,000 workers will be required to clean up what is described as the biggest pipeline oil spill in Russia's history, according to a conference of Russia's government emergency situations commission (GESC). Spill estimates have been all over the map, from 102,000 bbl to 2.3 million bbl.
The spill apparently began with a rupture Aug. 17 in a 52 km stretch of a 26 in. crude oil pipeline near the Pechora River north of the Arctic Circle about 30 miles north of Usinsk. The pipeline moves crude oil from Komi area fields to a terminal at Usinsk.
It was not reported until Sept. 13, and oil continued to leak freely until Sept. 6 through a series of additional ruptures along the same pipeline stretch. GESC alleged that Komineft, the regional oil company that operates the pipeline, sought to conceal the accident. Komineft installed earthen containment dikes to contain the spilled crude, but apparently heavy rains washed out the dams Oct. 1, spilling the crude into Pechora River tributaries (OGJ, Oct. 31, p. 25).
Copyright 1994 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
Issue date: 11/07/94
