Thanks, Titanites, I followed it.
I would thank you to stop putting words in my mouth, though. I did say “you decide” (i.e., for yourself). I said, “I personally favor the view that the cause of the problem was negligent incompetence rather than conspiracy.” You said, “The negligent managers have been relieved of duty.” That sounds like agreement on the cause: negligence.
I never claimed BP left the oil there in March, only that they did spill it because they have not maintained the pipe. If they have reclaimed it and cleaned up, that's great. What would be even greater is if BP operated the pipeline in line with the standard operating procedures of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, scraping & smart-pigged that pipe regularly. They have not for 14 years. You made the point that BP do not own a smart-pig (not an unreasonable precaution when they operate so many pipelines), and you point out that because they don’t own one they have to book one. But they have not done so for 14 years on this pipe.
You also make a good point about metallurgy. I am not a chemist or a metallurgist, but I do know that steel corrodes – especially in the extreme climate of Alaska, let alone with crude pumping through it. I also note that you don’t have any metallurgical analysis either, so that’s a moot point, I guess. But it does not change the fact that the TAP is scraped and smart-pigged regularly and BP haven’t bothered on this pipe.
No matter how good the data might be from the ultrasound, they have had numerous members of their own staff highlighting this very issue and have ignored, silenced and intimidated people to avoid doing anything. Now the bill comes due. As for the lead time on getting pipe to the North Slope, BP has said they now expect to get replacement pipe in the area by the end of the year. My point stands: if this had been dealt with immediately in March, the pipe would be in place now.
Congratulations on attempting to make this about my environmental record. Nice try at diversion. I cannot and do not claim to live an exemplary life with regards to the environment. I don’t have pans slung under my car to catch oil, but I have my car serviced annually or every 10,000 miles (which ever comes first), to ensure that it doesn’t leak, it works efficiently and safely. It’s a regime of checks that ensures smooth function, and I don’t begrudge the expense to maintain a safe, efficient, reliable vehicle.
It is not unreasonable to expect a multi-national company like BP to meet the same standards as its neighbours, competitors or the same standards it applies in other parts of the world (it does smart-pig its North Sea pipes in the UK every 5 years).
Regarding BP’s share price, BP Plc is trading on the London Stock Exchange right now at GBP 70.03. The 52 week high was 76.47 and the low was 63.33. They ARE tracking slap, bang in the middle of their 12 month range. The share price tail-dived through May/June to around 65, climbed to just over 72 and then down to 69 when the latest disaster was announced. I would say that this is causing no major damage to their share price as it is still 7% up on the price 2 months ago. If it drops below the 65 level I will stand corrected. If it manages to fall below 63, I owe you a beer.