BP to keep oil flowing from Prudhoe Bay

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – BP PLC announced it would keep one side of the Prudhoe Bay oil field open as it replaces corroded pipes, enabling it to funnel up to half its previous output and avert a larger crimp in the nation’s oil supply.

BP had previously said it would have to completely shut down the nation’s largest oil field after discovering a leak nearly a week ago.

The company said Friday it decided to continue supplying oil out of the western side of the field after reviewing 1,400 ultrasound inspections on five miles of the 22-mile pipeline and discussing the matter with federal and state regulators.

BP said it will monitor the pipeline around the clock and use infrared cameras from the sky and the ground to detect small leaks. It will run a high-tech “smart pig” device through the line by November to search for weaknesses in pipe walls.

AP