China: Sand Dredging Causes Subsea Pipeline Leak in Zhuhai Terminal

CNOOC reported that the leak in its natural gas pipeline in Zhuhai terminal was caused by the mechanical sand dredging.

The broken part of the pipeline identified by divers revealed that it had been damaged by machinery, stated Gao Guangsheng, vice general manager of CNOOC’s Shenzhen branch.

“Sand dredging in the sea area is illegal. We hope the Zhuhai municipal government can investigate the illegal activities,” Gao told.

The company moved rapidly to carry out active pressure venting by pumping nitrogen to replace natural gas in the pipe.

The pipeline revocation caused a daily loss of natural gas output equivalent to 27,000 barrels of oil, which is meant to supply the city of Zhongshan in Guangdong province.

Workers need to separate the sea water in order to repair the pipe, but the company did not enclose when the repair work would be done.

[mappress]
Subsea World News Staff , December 30, 2011;