26 Killed In Attack On Kirkuk-Baiji Pipeline - Refinery For 50% Of Nation's Crude Expected To Close

An explosion along an oil pipeline extending from the northern Kirkuk oilfields to Bayji refineries caused damage to both the line and another parallel pipeline between Iraq and Turkey, on Tuesday. Twenty-six people including three militants were killed and 59 wounded in separate attacks and military operations across Iraq, according to local authorities.

The ensuing fire hit only a section of the Kirkuk-Bayji pipeline which runs over the River Tigris, but caused a huge oil leak and dense black smoke in the area.

Firefighters were struggling to contain the damage, a source in the local oil industry said. The explosion is expected to halt production at Bayji refineries, which supply more than half of Iraq's oil products.

According to a source in the water department in Salahaddin, the explosion caused oil to seep into the Tigris river damaging water stations and triggering their temporary closure. The water supply up to 100 kilometres south of the explosion site was affected due to the unimpeded oil flow, the source added. Water used for irrigation purposes was similarly contaminated.

EDIT

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/229838/2ND_ROUNDUP_Attack_on_Kirkuk_Bayji_pipeline_26_killed_in_Iraq

I don't think soes.

:toast:

100km of Tigris contaminated.

Pumping stations down and few spare parts or workers willing to risk it.

As soon as they begin pipeline repair and focus security, the line will be disrupted elsewhere.

When you see phrases such as "unimpeded oil flow", the situation is FUBAR.



KnR

Or if not FUBAR, then TARFU at the very least.

Once a refinery of that size is shut down or taken offline, there are all sorts of challenges even in optimal conditions.

This is a critical situation here and it seems as tho only three of us have seen your post.

Maybe you should have had "Hillary" or "Gay bashing" or something in your subject line.

But seriously, this is one mucking fess and will certainly be worth watching.

All the King's horses and all the King's men.....

:evilgrin:

I will remember that for later.

<snip>

An explosion along an oil pipeline extending from the northern Kirkuk oilfields to Bayji refineries...

<snip>

Some revenge for the Kurds signing up with western oil corporations maybe?

No wonder the poor buggers went extinct.

:spank:

You shouldn't do that to me first thing in the morning ...!

:spray: