[jettester]

I have a relative who works for a large company that does nothing but pipeline inspections, surveys, repairs and installations of corrosion prevention equipment. The pipelines (not sure if this particular one had it) can have a cathodic protection system installed that monitors and slows corrosion. Reality is that corrosion will always occur but it can me managed successfully. This system is not unlike the system we used to have in the Navy on our ships to do the same exact thing. With a properly installed and maintained system, there should have been no surprises as to the exact condition of the pipeline at any given time.

[gpapa]

BP Environmental management systems
http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=2011367&contentId=2016619

"Corrosion management
BPXA spends about $50 million annually to monitor, locate, repair and manage the effects of corrosion that occurs when an electrochemical process breaks down steel. On Alaska's North Slope, we operate thousands of steel vessels and most of the 1,600-plus miles of pipelines that carry oil, water and gas from wellsites through processing facilities and ultimately to sales or injection points. We semi-annually review our corrosion plan with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Under the plan, corrosion managers direct corrosion mitigation resources to protect and extend the life of the assets.

Internal corrosion rates have declined 90% since 1992. The annual inspection program consists of approximately 100,000 locations. Internal corrosion inspections have remained relatively constant with about 60,000 inspections per year. The external corrosion program was substantially increased in 2002 from the historical level of more than 13,000 locations per year to about 35,000 locations in 2003. External corrosion was the cause of a 6,000-gallon oil and water spill in Prudhoe Bay in May 2003. The line was shut down for several days and repaired, and crews completed site cleanup. BP has committed to the state oversight agency to gather soil and water samples to assess the natural attenuation of the site through the summer of 2005.

[thackney]

There have been some unexpected sulfate reducing bacteria creating new problems.

From the earlier spill this year:
BP: Learning from oil spill lessons
http://www.petroleumnews.com/pntruncate/573947058.shtml

[Sacajaweau]

Worked for a Water Authority for awhile doing inspection on our lines. We had dudes come in from Texas to teach us about cathodic protection and inspection.

Our lines are all wrapped. Generally it's a break that is the real revealer. No system is pefect but slapping in a temporary by-pass and a couple extra valves seems like an alternative.