Power knocked out to Prudhoe Bay processing plants
Published Friday, May 9, 2008
ANCHORAGE -- Oil production at Prudhoe Bay, the nation's most prolific oil field, halted on Friday when a vehicle clearing snowdrifts damaged the power supply to processing centers.
Prudhoe Bay had been sending about 380,000 barrels of crude oil each day down the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, said Steve Rinehart, spokesoman for field operator BP PLC. Rinehart said production on Friday would be "way down" and would ramp back up over the next several days.
BP's Northstar field also went offline as a result of the power outage. Northstar produces about 79,000 barrels of crude daily from a manmade island in the Beaufort Sea. All told, Alaska's North Slope fields produce about 730,000 barrels each day.
With a ground blizzard hampering visibility, the operator of the frontloader struck a compressed air line at the central power station, Rinehart said. The line controls the power station's fuel system. Seven plants shut down as a result.
Rinehart said the power supply has been re-energized, with four of the plants expected back online later Friday. The company hopes to have the rest operating by Saturday.
There were no injuries, and power supplies to workers' camps and other facilities in the remote Arctic region were not interrupted.
State officials said BP had not reported any spills. They are relying on the company for periodic updates, according to Allison Iversen, coordinator of the state Petroleum Systems Integrity Office.
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Humm sounds like wait for a while when prices goes up then we'll fire it back up. But more then likely just unmaintained needed. If power was really needed just say to sent an e-mail to Washington something like complete power off-line. Think they'd have the Airforce drop a nuclear power suppy if it was needed.
So will they be able to claim lost profits as a deduction on the PPT schedule?
They might just be able to there's all ready so many tax credits they'll be able to find a way to beat the system. Under Bush shouldn't be to hard to find a way. Even when they shut down don't think there not making money just because oil and gas isn't flowing now.
I just figured out what is the biggest cause of global warming it's the hot air coming from the oil companies and politicians. If we could run a pipe from them out energy woes would be solved. Would be like Monsters Inc. only instead of screams it would be their hot air. Both are scary to think about.
Another OKIE got an ALASKA resident JOB
Notice how low the daily production is on the slope, compared to the days when they would fill the pipeline. Since oil closed at 126 a barrel yesterday, I wonder what this shortage will do to the price of oil. It will be interesting to see what Gov. Palin's short term energy plan will be when she announces it next week.
suomi: You are correct; IT WILL BE INTERESTING to see what is contained in Gov. Palin's short term energy plan next week. Because if the Alaska Energy Authority's long range renewable energy development plan and the AHFC's weatherization program are all that the State of Alaska is going to do...TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, THE PARTY IS OVER.
The test for the State of Alaska is whether the function of government is for the benefit of the CITIZENS of ALASKA, or if the State has become so entrenched with the corporate greed factor that the bureaucracy is part of the problem. Part of the "windfall profits" flowing into the state treasury are coming from the pockets of ALASKAN each time you buy a gallon of gas, a gallon of heating oil or pay your electric bill. But the hidden part is the price you pay for a plane ticket, food, property taxes and all the services in the private sector that pass on the high fuel costs.
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