Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
Even though I work for oil companies, they kinda deserve some of the crap they get. Exxon is the company on earth with the most resources and the most stringent processes and them this happens. Pipelining is not like drilling in the gulf, you can touch and see everything and there is little to no unknowns involved.
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Your totally right, most if not all the time human error is to blame for the severity of the spills. Everything from some guy with a backhoe not paying attention, to guys in the control room not understanding how to react to the alarm condition.
I make no excuses for the pipeline companies, and your right they do deserve some flack because honestly I seen some of the arrogance and stupidity first hand in one of the companies currently trying to build a line. Read some of the PHIMSA reports, really scary how unprepared some of these guys are.
However, with all that said, I am a big supporter of the two pipelines in contention right now. With all that said, pipeline is proven to be the safest way to transport oil. I have also seen first hand how the company I worked with realized they have to improve, and are taking real steps towards making things better. At least the ears are open here in North America unlike some of the dictatorships where most of the other oil comes from.
My point has always been that oil will get shipped one way or another. Block a pipeline and the producers will send it by rail (which there was a derailment spill last week). At least with a pipe you can shut it off if people are executing properly with minimal damage. A train goes off the rail and there is nothing you can do.
So to the environmentalists I say be pragmatic. Tell them they can have the line as long as it has world class safety systems which includes materials, construction, and operational integrity processes. You may not want it, but let them build it. The alternative is oil by train, and then by barge down the Mississippi with little to no control over spill when it happens.