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The Prudhoe Bay oil spill (2006 Alaskan oil spill) was an oil spill that was discovered on March 2, 2006 at a pipeline owned by BP Exploration, Alaska (BPXA) in western Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Initial estimates of the five-day leak said that up to were spilled over , making it the largest oil spill on Alaska's north slope to date. Alaska's unified command ratified the volume of crude oil spilled as in March 2008.〔(Final Situation Report ). Unified Command Joint Information Center. March 25, 2008.〕 The spill originated from a hole in a diameter pipeline. The pipeline was decommissioned and later replaced with a diameter pipeline with its own pipeline inspection gauge (pig) launch and recovery sites for easier inspection.〔 In November 2007, BPXA pled guilty to negligent discharge of oil, which prosecutors said was the result of BP's knowing neglect of corroding pipelines,a misdemeanor under the federal Clean Water Act, and was fined US$20 million.〔("BP fined $20 million for pipeline corrosion" ), Anchorage Daily News, October 26, 2007. Retrieved on November 11, 2007.〕 In July 2011, BPXA paid a $25 million civil penalty, the largest per-barrel penalty at that time for an oil spill, and agreed to take measures to significantly improve inspection and maintenance of its pipeline infrastructure on the North Slope to reduce the threat of additional oil spills. In November 2012, it was announced that the U.S. state of Alaska would collect $255 million related to BP Plc's pipeline leaks and a resulting shutdown in 2006. BP's share was $66 million since it would pay the award and then be reimbursed by partners, including Exxon Mobil Corp and ConocoPhillips, based on their proportionate share of ownership. ==Prudhoe Bay oil field== (詳細はoil field is located on Alaska's North Slope and lies between the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska to the west and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the east. It is home to thousands of migratory birds, caribou, and other creatures.〔http://m.gurufocus.com/news_read.php?id=199735〕 It is owned by the State of Alaska, and is the largest oil field in the United States, covering and originally containing approximately of oil.〔Staff, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. ( AOGCC Pool Statistics, Prudhoe Bay Unit, Prudhoe Oil Pool )〕〔(Prudhoe Bay Fact Sheet ). BP. August 2006. (Adobe Acrobat *.PDF document)〕 The field is operated by BP; partners are ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips Alaska. In the field, oil is moved through pipelines from about 1000 wells, to a pumping station at the head of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; "flow lines" carry oil from the wells to local processing centers where the oil is prepared for long-range transport through the pipeline by removing water and gas; "transit lines" then carry the oil to the pumping station.〔International Mapping on behalf of BP. (BP in Alaska, animated map )〕 There are about 8 miles of transit line in the Western Operating Area, connecting Gathering Center 2 (at the western end of the line) to Gathering Center 1, and then running to the pumping station, where the transit line ends.〔 Oil transit lines must be regularly cleaned and inspected for corrosion. Corrosion inhibitor chemicals are added to the flow to discourage the growth of bacteria which cause microbiological corrosion. Regular cleaning is done through the use of a maintenance "pig", a device that passes through a pipeline, scraping and cleaning the inside walls. In addition, maintenance also includes the occasional use of a "smart pig", a device that contains instruments that can measure and test the condition of the pipeline, including the detection of corrosion damage. Ultrasonic testing and the use of "corrosion coupons" are also used to detect corrosion. Ultrasonic testing involves the use of an ultrasonic device to measure the thickness of the pipeline wall — a thinning of the wall indicates the presence of corrosion. A corrosion coupon is a small metal plate placed inside the pipeline and inspected for corrosion every 90 days.〔("BP: Learning from oil spill lessons" ) http://www.petroleumnews.com, May 14, 2006. Retrieved on November 10, 2007〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Prudhoe Bay oil spill」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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