ND State Health Department investigating pipeline leak northwest of Belfield

[norseamd]

Just some random, isolated, statistically impossible incident that is never going to happen again and is of no meaning or consequence whatsoever.

BELFIELD, N.D. - The State Health Department is investigating what they are calling a 'significant release from a pipeline.'

The department says they aren't sure how much oil leaked into the Ash Coulee Creek 16 miles northwest of Belfield but that the line has been shut off and is not leaking further.

They say they are working to boom the creek about two and a half miles downstream. As of now, the Little Missouri River is not believed to be in immediate danger.

The cause of the leak is yet to be determined, but crews are expected to work through the night.

http://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/...ine-leak-northwest-of-Belfield-404884465.html

 

[Painman]

Why does an incomplete, non-functional pipeline already contain oil?

 

[norseamd]

Why does an incomplete, non-functional pipeline already contain oil?

I dont think its the Dakota Access Pipeline. Its probably another pipeline thats already finished. So the real question is why is a finished pipeline leaking so much oil?

 

[Newbian]

Why does an incomplete, non-functional pipeline already contain oil?

Where do we see that as a google search brings up a lot of leak issues in this area so it's probably another pipeline?

 

[Painman]

Where do we see that as a google search brings up a lot of leak issues in this area so it's probably another pipeline?

My bad. Enjoy your internet points at my expense.

 

[Exterous]

Just some random, isolated, statistically impossible incident that is never going to happen again and is of no meaning or consequence whatsoever.

I think the argument is more that pipelines are safer* than alternative methods of transporting oil - not that they are impervious to failure. For example trains have a pretty well established history of exploding and killing people in the towns the trains have to travel through. 2013 was also a pretty bad year for trains given that they spilled quite a bit more oil per barrel transported than pipelines.

*Depending on what impacts you value most

There is big money to be made in figuring out how to build a machine that can do a good job inspecting oil pipelines but the hurdles are many (Previous company i worked for was considering attempting it). Still I think its more likely that we can make pipelines and ships safer than we can make trains and trucks