Last Thursday, Bellingham Washington was the scene of a 280,000 gallon gasoline spill from an underground pipeline. A fireball exploded travelling two miles through a popular city park and adjoining neighborhoods. Thus far, over a million dollars worth of environmental damage has occurred. The greatest tragedy, however, was the death of three children. Ten minutes before the explosion an onsite Olympic Pipe Line worker reported the smell of gasoline. Their computer had failed to alert them to this 'leak'.

Thus far, I've been unable to find any specific information on the operation of underground pipe lines, embedded chips and compliancy. In addition to wanting to repopen this pipeline in spite of the opposition of the community, Olympic Pipe Line also plans on continuing their push for an underground Pipe Line through the Cascade Mountains.

Are embedded chips part of the pressure indicators? What other issues related to compliancy would effect this operation and the safety of those who live on and near these pipe lines? Without having to crawl through the maze of companies that have joined to create 'other' companies that are now merged with major oil companies who have merged with each other, is there a faster way to locate specifics on pipe line saftey and compliancy efforts? Any specifics or resources will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-- Ann Mulvey (annmulvey@compuserve.com), June 15, 1999

Answers

Their computer had failed to alert them to this 'leak'.

But Ann, you will have to be more specific. What was the model number, manufacturer, and serial number of the part that failed? How can we just assume things like this will happen if you don't give us details like this?

[sarcasm off]

-- a (a@a.a), June 15, 1999.

Explosion in Bellingham, Wash

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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 15, 1999.

A major Russian Pipeline was on fire today as well shutting off the flow of oil indefinitely to the ports on the Caspian Sea.....

Eventually perhaps, oil prices will recover to a reasonable level and producers can stop giving away their production for next to nothing.

-- Craig (craig@ccinet.ab.ca), June 15, 1999.

a

She can't give you that info on equipment because (according to KING 5 news) the pipeline company would not release it. The pipeline company held a meeting for the community to "explore the causes of the explosion". They said they were sorry and that they were looking into the causes, but wouldn't let anyone ask any questions. Don't know if there is a link to KING 5 on this or not, but the community was sure upset. No Answers. The scenerio they presented went something like this (and this is from my own old memory cells). At about 4:15pm their computer started spilling what someone recognized as bad data on the flow so they shut the line down. They thought they had the problem fixed so at 4:28pm they turned the line back on. About 5 min. later they had both a problem show on the flow again and a call from the local fire dept. saying people were calling them from the area saying they smelled gas fumes. At 4:35pm they again shut down the line. They also heard from one of their own people that had gone to investigate that he could smell fumes. 7 minutes later, said employee called to say he was running from a wall of fire and there had been an explosion. The reporter said that the gas that leaked was between 180,000 gal. and 277,000 gal. depending on how much was actually in the pipeline when it was shut down.

The thing that amazed me was that many people including fire dept. people and some of the government people as well as people who lived in the area did not know the pipeline was there. Not far from us (couple miles) there is a natural gas line which is clearly marked with big orange signs that say natural gas pipeline - no digging. I thought pipelines, particularly thru populated areas had to be marked, but this is apparently not so. Wonder about the law suits that will come out of this? Hope they never get that one thru over the Cascades!!!

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), June 15, 1999.

Information on Russian Pipeline Explosion at:

http/news.excite.com/news/u/990615/15/international-oil

Proximity to Chechnya might suggest rebel target vs other cause, but one thing for sure: major impact on cash strapped Russia! Pipeline offline indefinitely!

-- (snowleopard6@webtv.net), June 15, 1999.