While international experts try to figure out what caused the ruptures in the Nord Stream pipeline, engineers have multiple options to try and fix it
Last week, three different sites along the underwater Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines ruptured and began leaking gas. The circumstances at Nord Stream may be unusual, but subsea pipeline damage is almost an everyday occurrence. Corrosion from salt water can cause leaks, and again and again, accidents occur as a result of commercial shipping. Nord Stream’s pipes also lie under some of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Even the possibility of an explosion near the pipelines was taken into account in the planning of Nord Stream. Countless bombs from World War II lie in the Baltic Sea to this day, so experts cleared a strip 50 meters wide along the pipeline. But currents could also carry munitions near the route, Nord Stream’s risk assessment warns. Thus, according to the operator, the pipes were designed survive a blast of two tons of explosives located 12 meters from the pipeline without leaking.
However, it is also possible to join the ends of pipeline segments directly underwater—a technique that was used for Nord Stream 1. This involves leading the ends of the pipeline into a special hyperbaric chamber and welding them together, a process known as “hyperbaric tie-in.” This technique has already been tested at Nord Stream—for example, in 2011—to connect the individual sections of the first pipeline, each laid down by a different special vessel.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
The Nord Stream leaks are a wake-up call for countries with vulnerable pipelinesThere are enough miles of pipelines around the world to circle the Earth 30 times — and many are vulnerable. That doesn't mean there aren't things countries can do to protect them, an expert says.
Leer más »
EU hits Russia with new sanctions, issues price cap on oil following Nord Stream 'sabotage'The European Union agreed to hit Moscow with another round of sanctions and issue a price cap on Russian oil exports in an attempt to target its war chest.
Leer más »
Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs yanked off air after accusing US of sabotaging Nord Stream pipelineColumbia Professor Jeffrey Sachs has accused the US of sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea, prompting television hosts to pull the plug on his TV interview.
Leer más »
Nikki Haley says Nord Stream sabotage is 'something that Putin would do'Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley threw her weight behind the notion that Russia was responsible for the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline last week.
Leer más »
Snazzy-looking OnePlus Nord Watch does everything for a lot lessOnePlus' new Nord Watch promises many of the features much more expensive smartwatches provide for a lower price.
Leer más »
The Nord Stream pipelines have stopped leaking. But the methane emitted broke recordsThe Nord Stream pipeline leak might be the single largest release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Experts say it pales in comparison to ongoing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry:
Leer más »