Question for ya'll oil field / pipeline folks

[4wheels]

How does a pipeline freeze? Abbott kept saying the pipelines froze. I can understand the controls being above ground and they could freeze up or even rust.

[huntandfishguy6]

I'm in for an answer myself.

[lovemylegacy]

Gas pipelines do not freeze. Natural Gas freezes at -200 degrees. Its the control network above ground. If its pneumatic and there is the slight bit of moisture in the Instrument Air, it will cause the controls(valves, solenoids, etc.) to malfunction. If the controls are completely electric, well you need a functioning power grid for that. Usually, air is the driving force to operate a valve, electricity or fiber optics are the communication mechanism.

Oil pipelines may be a little different, but being several feet underground, I doubt they freeze either.

[Johnny44]

How long has mankind known of this weakness ?

[lovemylegacy]

How long has mankind known of this weakness ?

Every time the temps get below 32degrees.

[Rush2Judge]

I would assume (that's always dangerous) that is is the compressors that fail/freeze. The pipes are pressurized to keep the gas moving. I'm betting there is a balance between too much insulation (burn up in the Summer) and too little (freeze in the Winter). But I am no expert. Just another guy with a theory.

[Johnny44]

Every time the temps get below 32degrees.

What is so significant about 32 degrees, is this something recent?

[oktx]

Every time the temps get below 32degrees.

Compressors can freeze up at well above 32. It depends on how much that gas is squeezed down.

[Johnny44]

I knew all that space travel and putting folk on the moon was staged, no way valves (60’s technology) can take extreme heat or cold.

Duped again.

[Traildust]

How does a pipeline freeze? Abbott kept saying the pipelines froze. I can understand the controls being above ground and they could freeze up or even rust.

You answered your own question

[bowfishin fool]

Yes the compressors freeze up, or measurement instrumentation.

Think about your propane bottle when your really blowing Propane to the crawfish boiler, that bottle freezes up at the valve. Moonshiners were known to build fires under their propane bottles to keep them going!!

Any where there is a pressure drop you create a temperature drop and liquids fall out. That creates a freezing of NGL’s. We are not setup for this cold as it costs a lot to operate in This weather.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[manwitaplan]

Yes the compressors freeze up, or measurement instrumentation.

Think about your propane bottle when your really blowing Propane to the crawfish boiler, that bottle freezes up at the valve. Moonshiners were known to build fires under their propane bottles to keep them going!!

Any where there is a pressure drop you create a temperature drop and liquids fall out. That creates a freezing of NGL’s. We are not setup for this cold as it costs a lot to operate in This weather.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I appreciate the feedback! I have a question or two.

Other cold natured states do not seem to have these problems that we are seeing. You stated that it cost massive amounts of money to build that type of system.

What did these companies do with the money they make every year. There has to be profit for the company to continue to operate every year. How come we have not upgraded our systems? Just curious.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ironman]

I appreciate the feedback! I have a question or two.

Other cold natured states do not seem to have these problems that we are seeing. You stated that it cost massive amounts of money to build that type of system.

What did these companies do with the money they make every year. There has to be profit for the company to continue to operate every year. How come we have not upgraded our systems? Just curious.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m pretty sure Abbott is asking the same questions.

[ram04]

I appreciate the feedback! I have a question or two.

Other cold natured states do not seem to have these problems that we are seeing. You stated that it cost massive amounts of money to build that type of system.

What did these companies do with the money they make every year. There has to be profit for the company to continue to operate every year. How come we have not upgraded our systems? Just curious.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any extra cost is still cost. The companies only care about profits, in order for money to get allocated to a project it usually has to add to the profits or mitigate a high risk. There is risk metrics they usually use to decide if the money spent is justified, chances are a once in a 100 year ice storm wouldn’t qualify the money needed to winterize the system. They would rather take the chance millions go without power once every 100 years and burn the bridge when they get there then spend the money and have to explain to shareholders why they are allocating million of would be profits to winterize a transmitter.

As long as profits are the main focus for big businesses this is what you get.

[ram04]

And if a company or politician comes on TV and says anything different from this they are lying to your face.