Oil Critic Warns Alaska Pipeline Corrosion Bigger Than BP

(Dow Jones)–BP PLC’s (BP) corrosion problems in its Alaska crude pipeline system are pervasive, and state regulators were complicit in concealing a fraudulent maintenance program, a top oil industry critic said Tuesday ahead of congressional hearings on the issue.

The accusations by Charles Hamel come just two days ahead of a House Committee for Energy and Commerce hearing probing the cause of a March oil spill on Alaska’s North Slope and the subsequent partial shutdown of Prudhoe Bay, the U.S.’ largest producing oil field. Three more congressional hearings are also scheduled to probe the incident later in the month.
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