Does anyone have information on the pipelines? Rumor has it that there is an embedded chip every 500 feet and that the chips need to be dug up and replaced. Any truth to this?

-- Anonymous, October 24, 1998

Answers

I worked in the Oil and Gas business for 17 years and this is the first time I have ever heard of this. There are sensors at different locations along the pipelines but these are usually there to detect pressure changes ( such as in a break or pressure drop).

-- Anonymous, October 24, 1998

On another potential threat to continuing oil supply: what happens to the oil in a pipeline up in Alaska or Canada during January, 2000 if the pumps stop for days or weeks? Would it freeze? If it does, could you get it moving again? Or would you have to wait for spring or summer?

We can't be confident of reliable supplies from the Middle East (political situation, especially if U.S. military functioning is impaired) or the North Sea (problems with imbedded systems on platforms)

I think these questions should be of vital interest to people in North America. After electricity, having a supply of oil is the most important issue for our economy. All forms of transportation require it; without oil, ships, trains, and trucks do not run. Without tranportation, there is no food distribution to speak of. Without food distribution...just imagine from there.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1998

One example of how reliable electric power generation is necessary to the oil pumping processes can be found at Paraffin Control Systems, Inc. web site: http://www.paraffincontrol.com/index.htm

There is also a paper put out by Sandia National Laboratories at: http://132.175.127.176/apt/pc/furthpc.htm

Here are summaries from those sites: "Crude oil production volumes are based on the maximum amount of flow achievable through a pipeline in a given amount of time. A major obstacle to ideal flowrates is the buildup of paraffin and mineral scale on the interior wall of the pipeline.

Paraffin deposition forms as a result of large pressure and temperature drops. This phenomenon costs thousands of dollars per line per month in lost flow, and uses expensive methods for removal: pigging, hot oiling/watering, chemical solvents.

But with PCS , all that is need (sic) is a nearby SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY." (caps mine)

And from the Sandia paper: Paraffin deposition

"As oil is pumped or flows to the surface it cools. Paraffin deposition occurs when the temperature of the oil drops below the cloud point. The cloud point is the temperature below which the oil is saturated with wax."

If you check out the Paraffin Control Systems site, you can also see a list of customers who use this system, which requires a source of ELECTRICITY. These include: Arco Pipeline Co., Chevron USA, Citgo Pipeline Co., Exxon Pipeline Co., Mobil Pipeline Co., North Central Oil Co., Shell Pipeline Co., Texaco U.S.A. and others.

The question Max Dixon brought up, about pipelines freezing, is addressed in an article published at the CMPnet Technology Network. Go to: http://techweb.cmp.com/eet/news/97/984news/year.html

It is important for all of us to recognize that thousands of industrial applications depend upon reliable electric power generation. It is not only a matter of whether we have light and heat in our homes, or whether the whole grid stays up (although obviously these are incredibly important). Even localized power outages, with the rest of the grid up, can have affects which will impact all citizens, whether it be by a decreased efficiency in pumping and/or production which causes higher prices, or production shortages/outages. This is one of the reasons I am so very grateful for people like Rick Cowles and all the others who have put up with the scorn and name calling while trying to promote awareness of the potential problems. They shouldnt have to stand alone, though. Take the time to call or write to utilities, and gas and oil companies in your area, and express your concerns. Send copies of articles about specific problems to your local government officials, and your Congressional Representatives. If they begin to get more mail about Y2K than about President Clinton and Monica, self interest will necessitate they address the issue. Its doubtful youll get specific answers back, but your voice may focus attention by someone, somewhere, on an overlooked problem. I realize this may be a pretty thankless task, but we cant know what difference we may make until we try. At the same time, continue to inform yourselves and take whatever personal measures you are capable of to prepare for changes and disruptions come 2000 - and begin now, if you havent already.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1998

I'm not a pipeline engineer, but I know something aobut satellite systems, and yesterday I drove past an Ashland Oil pumping station on I-270 east of Columbus, Ohio. Pipes emerged from the ground, crossed each other, and returned underground. A small, less than four foot tall, building stood nearby, and on its roof was an 18" satellite dish. Clearly the SCADA system was satellite operated. The small complex was surrounded by chain-link fence. This is a quick obervation at 60mph, but it leads me to believe that computer controls are indeed present in pipeline operations.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 1998