5 ms·
This really is a plausible scenario. Hydrate buildup is a very real risk in a pipeline that isn't flowing. Trying to deal with it in a less than ideal way can
by jofer 4y ago
This really is a plausible scenario. Hydrate buildup is a very real risk in a pipeline that isn't flowing. Trying to deal with it in a less than ideal way can absolutely lead to loss of containment and would explain the multiple leaks.
Of course, hostile action is also a plausible explanation, but it is very fair to point out that we really don't have any clear evidence either way and both are reasonably likely.
- geysersam 4y agoWhy would it happen in both pipelines the same evening?
- jofer 4y agoAs pointed out in the original article, if they were trying to clear hydrate blockages without coordination with folks at the "other end" of the pipeline, it could make sense that they'd try to operate on both in the same timeframe. The coordination of timing is still one of the biggest arguments in favor of this being sabotage, though.
- geysersam 4y agoEach of the two nord stream links consist of two pipelines. All four exploded on the same evening, in exactly one place on each. Three of the leaks are very close to each other, the fourth is within 50 kilometers from the others, along a 1000+ km long pipeline. By accident? All relevant authorities on different sides of the conflict agree that this was sabotage. It can be fun to stretch the imagination and construct complicated technical causes. But it should be known that this was not an accident.
- valuearb 4y ago"All relevant authorities on different sides of the conflict agree that this was sabotage" So your entire argument is appeal to questionable authorities? What are their expertise with pipeline maintenance disasters? How and why would an underwater demo team plant explosives 50 km apart? Why would they trigger explosions 17 hours apart? If a hydrate plug is triggered to cause an explosion in one pipeline due to a specific temperature/pressure combination, how long would it take for a similar explosion to occur in another pipeline at the exact same temperature/pressure combination?