Pipeline is 750 miles long, and 4 foot diameter. It was full of 300 Million cubic meters of natural gas, held at 1,570 psi pressure. The pipeline valves were closed on each end, basically sealing it like a long storage tank full of liquid gas.

Think of it like a really large, very long propane tank for your BBQ (except that's only about 125 psi). It's full of liquefied gas stored under pressure. When the pressure is released (pipe ruptures), the liquefied natural gas escapes, turns to vapor and bubbles to the ocean surface, then dissipates into the atmosphere.

The liquid gas will continue to leak out of the pipeline until there's no more to leak out. Meanwhile, sea water flows into the pipeline. Salt water is extremely corrosive to carbon steel piping and that pipe interior is vulnerable to damage. The pipeline CAN be repaired, sea water purged out of it, pipeline cleaned and returned to service IF it's done within a few months. Maybe 6 months or a year or so is still ok to repair the pipeline. Any longer than that filled with sea salt water... and it's a lost cause.

At only 240 foot depth, it's actually not too hard to cut out a 40 foot long section of damaged pipe, re-weld a new piece in place, seal and concrete coat the pipeline section. However, you can't do it without cooperation with the nearby European countries. Repair and restoration of the pipeline can be done, but it is best sooner rather than later and cannot be done in a hostile environment.

Pipeline is 750 miles long, and 4 foot diameter. It was full of 300 Million cubic meters of natural gas, held at 1,570 psi pressure. The pipeline valves were closed on each end, basically sealing it like a long storage tank full of liquid gas.

Think of it like a really large, very long propane tank for your BBQ (except that's only about 125 psi). It's full of liquefied gas stored under pressure. When the pressure is released (pipe ruptures), the liquefied natural gas escapes, turns to vapor and bubbles to the ocean surface, then dissipates into the atmosphere.

The liquid gas will continue to leak out of the pipeline until there's no more to leak out. Meanwhile, sea water flows into the pipeline. Salt water is extremely corrosive to carbon steel piping and that pipe interior is vulnerable to damage. The pipeline CAN be repaired, sea water purged out of it, pipeline cleaned and returned to service IF it's done within a few months. Maybe 6 months or a year or so is still ok to repair the pipeline. Any longer than that filled with sea salt water... and it's a lost cause.

At only 240 foot depth, it's actually not too hard to cut out a 40 foot long section of damaged pipe, re-weld a new piece in place, seal and concrete cap the pipeline section. However, you can't do it without cooperation with the nearby European countries. Repair and restoration of the pipeline can be done, but it is best sooner rather than later and cannot be done in a hostile environment.

Pipeline is 750 miles long, and 4 foot diameter. It was full of 300 Million cubic meters of natural gas, held at 1,570 psi pressure. The pipeline valves were closed on each end, basically sealing it like a long storage tank full of liquid gas.

Think of it like a really large, very long propane tank for your BBQ (except that's only about 125 psi). It's full of liquefied gas stored under pressure. When the pressure is released (pipe ruptures), the liquefied natural gas escapes, turns to vapor and bubbles to the ocean surface, then dissipates into the atmosphere.

The liquidity gas will continue to leak out of the pipeline until there's no more to leak out. Meanwhile, sea water flows into the pipeline. Salt water is extremely corrosive to carbon steel piping and that pipe interior is vulnerable to damage. The pipeline CAN be repaired, sea water purged out of it, pipeline cleaned and returned to service IF it's done within a few months. Maybe 6 months or a year or so is still ok to repair the pipeline. Any longer than that filled with sea salt water... and it's a lost cause.

At only 240 foot depth, it's actually not too hard to cut out a 40 foot long section of damaged pipe, re-weld a new piece in place, seal and concrete cap the pipeline section. However, you can't do it without cooperation with the nearby European countries. Repair and restoration of the pipeline can be done, but it is best sooner rather than later and cannot be done in a hostile environment.