External corrosion causes flow line rupture at Prudhoe

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said that BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. detected a crude oil spill at drill site L2 in the eastern operating area at Prudhoe Bay the morning of July 21.

BP has estimated the spill at less than 10 barrels (420 gallons). DEC said July 23 it had not yet determined if the spill includes produced water.

The rupture in the flow line occurred over the tundra and the oil sprayed out of the flow line and was carried by the wind across the tundra, covering an estimated half an acre.

A 50 foot by 20 foot area was heavily contaminated and was surrounded by shore seal boom. The tundra is being treated with a warm water rinse to remove the oil and the oil and rinse water are being recovered with a vacuum truck.

Where the tundra was only lightly oil it will be treated with a weed burner to remove the oil and minimize plant damage. No surface water or wildlife were effected.

DEC said external corrosion caused the flow line to rupture. BP estimated that it would take 12 hours to repair the damage.