WASHINGTON (KFGO) – A vice president of the company that operates the Dakota Access Pipeline says it’s “not physically possible” to empty the pipeline of oil before next month’s deadline imposed by a federal judge.
Last week, Judge James Boasberg ordered the shutdown until the Army Corps of Engineers completes an environmental review.
Energy Transfer Vice-President Todd Stamm says in court documents that if the flow of oil is suspended, there is a risk of corrosion if special protective measures aren’t taken.
Stamm says shutting down and emptying the pipeline for an extended period requires purging the line and filling the entire system with a gas, such as nitrogen. Stamm says the total cost of the process would be around $24 million.
Stamm also says it will take at least 30 days to inspect and fill the pipeline following the shutdown before operations can resume, at an unrecoverable cost of$2.8 million and $3 .5 million each day.
Boasberg has given the company until Aug. 5 to comply with his shutdown order.
