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User:Arturo at BP/Prudhoe Bay

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Prudhoe Bay 2006–2007

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Main article: Prudhoe Bay oil spill

In March 2006, corrosion of a BP oil transit pipeline in Prudhoe Bay transporting oil to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline led to the largest oil spill on record for Alaska's North Slope.[1] According to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), a total of 212,252 gallons of oil was spilled, covering 2 acres of the North Slope.[2] BP's investigation of the leak suggested it may have been caused by sediment collecting in the bottom of the pipe, protecting corrosive bacteria from chemicals sent through the pipeline to fight these bacteria.[3] During the government's investigation into the spill, BP was criticized for cost cutting regarding monitoring and maintenance of the pipeline. In particular, BP did not use pipeline inspection gauges (smart pigs), devices that clean and monitor oil pipelines for corrosion.[4][5][6] BP completed the cleanup of the spill by May 2006, including removal of contaminated gravel and vegetation, which was replaced with new material from the Arctic tundra.[2][7]

Following the spill, the company was ordered by regulators to inspect the 35 kilometres (22 mi) of pipelines in Prudhoe Bay using smart pigs.[3] In late July 2006, the smart pigs monitoring the pipelines found 16 places where corrosion had thinned pipeline walls. A BP crew sent to inspect the pipe in early August discovered a leak and small spill,[8][3] following which, BP announced that the eastern portion of the Alaskan field would be shut down for repairs on the pipeline,[8][9] with approval from the DOT. The shutdown resulted in a reduction of 200,000 barrels per day (32,000 m3/d) until work began to bring the eastern field to full production on 2 October 2006.[10] In total, 23 barrels (3.7 m3) of oil were spilled and 176 barrels (28.0 m3) were "contained and recovered", according to ADEC. The spill was cleaned up and there was no impact upon wildlife.[11]

After the shutdown, BP pledged to replace 26 kilometres (16 mi) of its Alaskan oil transit pipelines[12][13] and the company completed work on the 16 miles (26 km) of new pipeline by the end of 2008.[14] In November 2007, BP pled guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act and paid a $20 million fine for the March 2006 oil spill. There was no charge brought for the smaller spill in August 2006 due to BP's quick response and cleanup.[5]

On 16 October 2007, ADEC officials reported a "toxic spill" from a BP pipeline in Prudhoe Bay comprising 2,000 gallons of primarily methanol (methyl alcohol) mixed with crude oil and water, which spilled onto a gravel pad and frozen tundra pond.[15]

  1. ^ Roach, John (20 March 2006). "Alaska Oil Spill Fuels Concerns Over Arctic Wildlife, Future Drilling". National Geographic. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  2. ^ a b "GC-2 Oil Transit Line Release Situation Report" (PDF). dec.state.ak.us. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Kurt Kleiner (9 August 2006). "Bacteria may have eaten through Alaskan oil pipe". New Scientist. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  4. ^ Chris Baltimore (16 May 2007). "BP admits budget a factor in Alaska spill". Reuters UK. Retrieved 21 January 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Yereth Rosen (29 November 2007). "BP set to plead in Prudhoe Bay pipeline case". Reuters UK. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  6. ^ Andrew Clark in New York (1 May 2007). "BP accused of 'draconian' cost cuts prior to Alaskan pipeline spill". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  7. ^ Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten (22 May 2006). "BP Prudhoe Bay Oil Leak Cleanup Completed". Manufacturing.net. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b Chris Isidore (8 August 2006). "New worry for drivers: BP shuts oilfield". CNN Money. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  9. ^ Alan Zibel (22 May 2007). "BP shuts 100,000 barrels of Alaska oil". USA Today. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Alaska Update". BP. 2 October 2006. (subscription required).
  11. ^ "Flow Station 2 Transit Oil Line Release Situation Report" (PDF). dec.state.ak.us. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. 14 August 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  12. ^ Kristen Nelson (18 February 2007). "BP replacing entire transit system". Petroleum News. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  13. ^ "BP to start replacing Alaska pipelines". Calgary Herald. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Greater Prudhoe Bay" (PDF). bp.com. BP. 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Methanol and crude spill from Prudhoe Bay pipeline". 2 News KTUU.com. Associated Press. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
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