.gif)
It just helps make the empty Iranian threat, more empty.
Posted on 07/16/2012 5:49:45 AM PDT by thackney
The United Arab Emirates on Sunday inaugurated a much-anticipated overland oil pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, giving the OPEC member insurance against Iranian threats to block the strategic waterway.
The 380-kilometer (236-mile) Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline snakes across western desert dunes and over the craggy Hajar mountains to the city of Fujairah on the UAE’s Indian Ocean coast, south of the strait.
Until now, all Emirati exports were loaded in the Gulf and then sailed out through Hormuz. Once it is running at full capacity, the pipeline could allow the country, OPEC’s third biggest exporter, to ship as much as two-thirds of its peak production through the eastern port city.
(Excerpt) Read more at fuelfix.com ...
- - - - - -
Please note that this pipeline only allows a portion (1.5 MMBPD) of the oil to bypass the strait.
Somebody ‘splain to me why, if Iran (or somebody else) disregards “international waters” and norms of conduct enough to block the Straits, they wouldn’t just lay a bomb or two on this pipeline as well?
Small mobile missile launchers can block the Strait of Hormuz effectively from Iran shores.
Bombing an underground pipeline is a little more difficult in another country.
That would be a direct attack on a sovereign nation ON THEIR OWN SOIL. You don’t do that unless you want to see every goddam nation in the entire middle east attack you...or pay the USA to do the attacking and let them use all airspace whatever else we would need.
Well, a pipeline is one method. The main method though should be kept in mind. I'll call it the Clint Eastwood "Make My Day" method.
It just helps make the empty Iranian threat, more empty.
An undersea pipeline would probably be wisest but also most expensive.
Is it underground?
I assume not, from this little tidbit:
and over the craggy Hajar mountains
But I could be wrong (it's happened before).
Well, if part of the pipeline is above ground, it seems easy to arrange a little "industrial accident", rather than a missile strike.
Don't ge me wrong, I've nothing against the pipeline. Just wondering if it will really help anything if the SHTF.
Why would you want to move the pipeline closer to Iran and out of their own land?
the 370-km (231-mile) Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline buried in the desert...
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/28/203793.html
Very few petroleum pipelines in the world are placed above ground. Unless you have to avoid melting permafrost, it is far cheaper and less expensive as well as safer.
There will certainly be above ground portions, pump stations for example. The pipe itself may only come above ground to enter equipment like separators, pumps, filters, scrapper traps and launchers.
Just wondering if it will really help anything if the SHTF.
It is one of several pipelines that can move oil without going through the strait. Each additional pipeline makes it more difficult for Iran to block anyone besides themselves.
Yeah I should look at a map first.
I was thinking undersea as a means of putting it out of reach of landbound threats and it would be tougher for iranians to reach. But I was also thinking about it coming from further north.
In a perfect world, there would be dozens of pipelines right next to, and UNDER Iran. These horizontal-flowing pipes out of Iran would have backflow preventers, just to be sure of their purpose.
I'm surprised this piece didn't offer a map of the pipeline... then again, over-land pipes shouldn't be too hard to find... especially with the nice description above...
Iran's cool -they would never stoop to sabotage... Nope, Iran's capable of blocking the Straight of Hormuz ( 30 miles wide at some points) but they aren't smart or crass enough to take out an above ground pipeline.../s
They are also building a refinery near the end of the pipeline.
http://www.2b1stconsulting.com/3-billion-fujairah-refinery-ipic-calls-for-bid-on-feed/
Article states it is overland...not underground
http://www.ipic.ae/en/projects/Desc.aspx?Proj_ID=7&MenuID=5
The pipe is first welded up above ground next to where it will be installed.
Then sidebooms (bulldozers without blades but a side crane and counterweight) will drive along together picking the pipe up and laying it into the trench.
When completed, there will be an access road next to the pipeline and a berm over the pipeline. This is typical of pipeline construction. In the US, we typically don't install the berm but rather bury a little deeper.
I've worked construction for a similar construct through mountains and flatter areas in the middle east. Let me know if you have other questions.
See post 18. I’ve included pictures from the “company” (UAE owned) from the construction as it is placed below ground.
Thanks for your explanation. I misunderstood the original item, and this makes more sense.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.