NASA Photo Reveals Drift River Terminal in Jeopardy.
9 04 2009
As of today, 3.7 million gallons of crude oil has been removed from the 6.2 million gallons that sat at the base of the active volcano Mt. Redoubt. We are told that the risk is lessened and the “magnitude of a potential spill is reduced.” And while reduction in magnitude is better than nothing, the thought of 2.5 million gallons of crude oil in harms way next to Cook Inlet doesn’t feel like an appropriate reason to start celebrating.
I suppose technically I’d prefer to get hit by a car going 50mph than a car going 110, but I’d still prefer the “not at all” option.
This photo from NASA shows Chevron’s terminal facility as a tiny little square island. All that black stuff surrounding it is mud, ash, rock, ice and volcanic debris. The current situation is so bad, that Chevron has completely suspended oil production in Cook Inlet.
The shutdown is similar to what happened during the 1989-1990 eruption of Redoubt, but with a few major differences. Production was much more robust at the now-aging fields, and 38 million gallons of crude were stored at Drift River when the tank farm flooded back then. The shutdown lasted about a week.
Only 6.2 million gallons were in tanks at Drift River on March 22, the start of the current series of explosions. Despite a major flood of water and mud that came down the Drift River March 23, a dike built in 1990 kept the tank farm dry. The dike withstood later floods too, including the one following Saturday’s major volcanic explosion.
Only 6.2 million gallons?
The dike withstood (past tense)?
The questions we need to ba asking are: Is it acceptable to have 2.7 million gallons of crude oil sitting next to Cook Inlet surrounded by flows from a still very active volcano? Are we prepared to ask if the dike will withstand further pressure (future tense)?
And, of course, the ultimate question is: Are we willing to go through this again in another 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 years, when Redoubt decides to wake up again? Or will we instead insist tht the terminal facility be moved to somewhere NOT at the base of an active volcano. Just a thought.
[h/t Alaska Newsreader for the photo link]
April 9th, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Cool picture. Uncool problem. Thank you for the update.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Maybe they could store Palins missles there, too? And a few nukes? What the heII.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Whoa, that pic doesn’t look good at all. And absolutely ALL that oil should have been moved. And absolutely this should never, EVER come close to happening again.
Period.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Can we find a ‘before’ picture – I can’t do it now, but if any one else has time – that would be interesting to see. Thanks!
April 9th, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Well, I hope it withstands.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:21 PM
YIKES! That’s just not a good looking situation. Even my non-geologist spouse can tell that (and keeps wanting to know, with the rest of us, why in the heck they built an oil terminal in that location).
April 9th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Fingers crossed. Full moon tonight. : (
April 9th, 2009 at 1:24 PM
A picture is worth a thousand words.. and all the words that picture ispires are unprintable! OMG…
the hubris of these companies.. to care so very much about profit and so very little about humanity, environment, doing what is right, even if it costs a wee bit more. disgust. That is my word. Disgust. and fear.
Thank you for the photo.. it really makes things so very very clear. SHAME on Chevron!
April 9th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
For a “before” image, go to Google maps and type in “Drift River, AK”. It went right to the mouth of the river when I did it. (You may need to zoom out to see the satellite images.)
April 9th, 2009 at 1:31 PM
What a mess..What were they thinking??
April 9th, 2009 at 1:33 PM
I haven’t bought Exxon/Mobil for years because of the Valdez. Looks like I’ll be adding Chevron to the list. Though, with the way oil companies actually distribute gas, I’m not sure it really makes any difference which station you pull into. I have a feeling it has more to do with which refinery the gas comes from. My family has been in oil for a couple of generations. My uncle’s stinkin’ rick from it. He’s disgusted by the way they do business.
I am so waiting for Honda to really get their hydrogen car up and running. If I lived in the area of Los Angeles county where they lease them, I’d be in line, jumpin up and down like Donkey in Shrek: Me! Me! Pick Me!
April 9th, 2009 at 1:34 PM
stinkin rich. He’s stinkin rich
April 9th, 2009 at 1:35 PM
And AKM, congratulations on being chosen the #1 political blog in Alaska from Washington Post blog ” The Fix”……..you rock! Pj clad, I’m standing and throwing hugs and kisses to you.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:36 PM
What can we do to get some media and political attention on this problem so that Chevron will be forced into drianing the remaining millions of oil? Is there someone we can write to?
April 9th, 2009 at 1:45 PM
@ #4, #9: The thing that surprised me about the image on Google Earth was that the normal (before) channel of the river appears to be to the right of the terminal as pictured.
Well, and the fact that the terminal wasn’t surrounded by mud.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Someone asked the question before, but it begs being asked again…what jerk thought it would be an excellent idea to build an oil storage facility near an active volcano?
April 9th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
OT OT OT OT
Sorry, but I did not get this into the last post regarding the Ross confirmation and it’s super time sensitive!
ALASKANS, please read and become super hero constituents:
How to make your wishes known to the committees in charge of confirming Wayne Anthony Ross:
First, there are two Judiciary Committees, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. Each committee has a Committee Aide. The BEST way to make sure your request becomes part of the permanent record is to email or fax the Committee Aide. It is then the Aide who prepares the packets, which go to the respective committees and are entered into the public record. This is the simplest; fastest way to make sure your comments are recorded (they do need to be timely).
Second, I asked the House Judiciary Aide, Jane Pierson, if there was a difference in the type of contact a constituent makes to the legislative body such as letter, fax, email, Public Opinion Message system, phone call or personal visit. Jane said that as LONG AS THEY ARE RECORDED as part of the permanent record, then any method of contact carries the same weight as any other. For obvious reasons to Alaskans, a personal visit would not carry more “heft” than any other form of contact because you’d have to be in the capital city to do so.
The Senate Judiciary Committee had their hearing with the acting AG yesterday, Weds the 8th. The House Judiciary Committee meets tomorrow, Friday the 10th for their hearing. Then, the full confirmation with both bodies present happens on the following Thursday, April 16th.
Right now, emailing the Committee Aide for the House Judiciary Committee is the most time sensitive since they meet tomorrow. However, it’s not too late as per Jane Pierson to ALSO email the Committee Aide for the Senate Judiciary Committee – just make sure it’s prior to the full confirmation hearing on Thurs April 16th.
If you have already contacted legislators regarding your comments about the acting AG, there is no need to send another… UNLESS you have any NEW reasons that you do, or do not, want Wayne Anthony Ross to be confirmed. If you do, please contact again right away with ALL of your comments, old and new, summarized.
THANKS!
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE – meets for confirmation April 10
Jane Pierson, Committee Aide
jane_pierson AT legis.state.ak.us
907.465.4990
Reps Ramras, Dahlstrom, Coghill, Gatto, Lynn, Gruenberg, and Holmes
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE – met for confirmation April 8
Cindy Smith, Committee Aide
cindy_smith AT legis.state.ak.us
907.465.3717
Senators French, Wielechowski, (Elton = no one), McGuire and Therriault
April 9th, 2009 at 1:58 PM
OT but a quick and very refreshing break from Alaska politics.
Seems my boy Bobby has gone missing and now people are asking, “Where’s Bobby?” Well this handy dandy map shows you where he’s been the past year. Seems he’s been doing a lot of “fund raising” however I’m not sure…do you really hit that many other states to run for reelection in your own state? Inquiring minds surely want to know….
http://www.theoldriverroad.com/theoldriverroad/wheres-bobby.html
April 9th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
264 Crayons “Where’s Bobby?” Well this handy dandy map shows you where he’s been the past year.
Bobby was in Chicago ( President O’s hometown) on April fools day. LOL
San Antonio TX Dec 4Th ….ewwwww I’m locking my doors.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:28 PM
OT – Congrats, AKM, on your latest honor from “The Fix/WaPo!” Woo-hoo!!!
April 9th, 2009 at 2:30 PM
oh my g*d…….she has the audacity to blame the Legislature for depriving Juneau of representation??? ARG!!!
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1744
“Juneau residents are lacking representation in the Senate as final decisions are made on the budget and other important matters,” Governor Palin said. “Democratic senators rejected my first pick for Senate District B. I urge them not to drag their feet on approving the new designee. Filling this seat is important to the residents of Southeast and all Alaskans.”
“But whatever their decision will be, they need to ensure Juneau residents that this seat will be filled in a timely manner.”
April 9th, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Here’s a NASA image
Its in Google images. And there are some awsome photos of Mt. Redoubt
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/36000/36991/redoubt_l7_2000229_lrg.jpg&imgrefurl=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php%3Fid%3D36991&usg=__L1cGCCvtkVBOh-bQJ1Sxif2CHoM=&h=1800&w=2400&sz=2895&hl=en&start=18&tbnid=kZZ46tD6SCtwrM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmt%2Bredoubt%2Bvolcano%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den
April 9th, 2009 at 2:42 PM
NoCalGal Says:
April 9th, 2009 at 1:24
Thank you for the photo.. it really makes things so very very clear. SHAME on Chevron!….you are right but do not forget Gino she is one of the two people who had power to have that oil moved on her say so no matter what Chevron said… That picture is scary.
20
Say NO to Palin in Politics Says: yep i read that too, unbelievable she has no morals or ethics or INTEGRITY.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Congratulations, AKM. It seems “The Fix” is in and you will be getting some more well-deserved traffic and love!
April 9th, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Test
April 9th, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Oh how scary…
And her Smugness could care less? Drill baby drill? And store it at the bottom of a volcano????
Can anyone find out who the idiot was that #1) decided to put this facility at the base of a volcano and 2) did not move everything out after the first eruption 20 years ago? Did I read that right? And 3) who was the governor in charge back when Chevron asked to build the facility in the first place… or who in the government would have had any say… just askin’… Maybe these answers have been on here before and I forgot. AT my age I am lucky to remember yesterday!
My favorite island (Montserrat) was partly wiped out back in the 90s and problems keep coming up even today. The capital was buried. My friends lost their home… other friends have lost businesses. Many had to just leave the island. Google it and look at the pictures…
Personally, I think Jindal should offer to help drain those tanks… Hey, we all ran down to New Orleans to help them out…
April 9th, 2009 at 3:27 PM
thank you for the help with finding the photos – ! all I can say is ..wow..
April 9th, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Its amazing how the MSM has completely ignored this story…..any ideas as to how to get the word out?
April 9th, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Shame on Chevron, but mostly shame on the economic system that most of us participate in that puts shareholder and executive employee profit above every other consideration, especially environmental. Any of us who own stocks, unless you invest very, very specifically in ‘good’ companies, have a stake in this. If we want things to be different, then we have to be the change. Let your congressional representatives know how you feel about this.
April 9th, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Not sure is anyone has seen this site for Drift River & the volcano:
http://geology.com/news/category/redoubt-volcano.shtml
April 9th, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Excellent illustration and commentary. Thanks again–from all your finned, feathered, and furry fans.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:26 PM
This is one scary photo.
Thanks AKM and a big high five for your new accolade from The Fix at WaPo! You rock!
Oh, and by clicking on the link for your latest pat-on-the-back, I found out that CT has a political blog called “My Left Nutmeg.” Gotta go check it out… As good as it may be, it will pale compared to the flats!
April 9th, 2009 at 5:48 PM
http://volcanism.wordpress.com/category/volcanoes/redoubt/
More pictures and info here.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:57 PM
This photo shows a disaster that will happen if the volcano continues to erupt.
What can we do right now to prevent the disaster.
Can the oil terminal be saved?
Will the volcano stop erupting?
How much more water can the terminal withstand?
What can the federal or state government do to save the terminal?
They could airlift steel pilings to build a breakwall to channel the current around the oil terminal. This will protect the terminal from powerful surges
of the river’s current.
April 9th, 2009 at 9:24 PM
I was wondering the same thing, what can we do to help divert a total disaster on the Drift River and the Inlet? I just don’t know enough to focus my energy on this one, so many questions and not enough information which is always strange in this day and age, where we would like to believe someone knows what is needed to be done and if they just pointed us in the right direction we could get the job done.
Ok, so here are a few of my questions.
Where does the crude oil come from in the first place, or how does it get into those tanks. Where is it going now if it isn’t going into the tanks. Why was it held in the tanks there in the first place? Where and how does it leave the tanks, then where does it go. Is all this information available some place on the net? If so, can someone put up links. I’ve been reading and looking at photo’s for days, but still don’t have a very good idea of just what is going on up there.
If the oil comes into the tanks from pipelines are these pipelines now also in danger? Are there roads into this area, or is everything taken in and out by air? If there are roads are they still passable? Is it already to late to do anything because of the mudflows? Is this just going to be another “act of God – end of days” kind of excuse so those that made the bucks on putting this hazard here in the first place will get away with it if and when the Mt blows? Sigh, so many things to think about.
I remember when St. Helen woke up and began rumbling, warnings were coming out daily, but no one could even imagine how much was going to be change when she finally blow that side out…you just can’t fight that kind of thing, but you can rethink how you live with the various possibilities.
April 10th, 2009 at 8:32 AM
@ Peaceful Granny, some answers, but not all.
Oil is pumped on platforms in Cook Inlet. It goes to the tank farm for storage until tankers can come to siphon it off to take to refineries. Not sure how many underwater/ over land pipelines may be involved, but there is at least one. Apparently the platforms have stopped pumping because the only place they can put the oil is in the tank farm. Some of the oil was tankered out recently. I think the tank farm is only accessible by air or possibly by water.
April 10th, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I wish folks would do a little more research before heaping blame on Chevron for the Drift River Terminal debacle. Chevron has only been a part owner since it purchased the failing Unocal a few years ago. Chevron inherited the problem so to speak. As far as environmental stewardship goes, Chevron is one of the best in the world as far a petroleum companies go and Unocal was attrocious. Besides, when the terminal was built nearly 25 years ago, the State of Alaska would have had to approve the location, etc. So keep in mind that the State of Alaska is as much to blame for this as any of the oil companies. So if you are planning on not buying gas from Chevron, you shouldn’t plan any trips to Alaska either as you would be supporting the problem because your tourism tax dollars go to the State. That and all of the oil from Drift River is refined in Alaska so every time the tour bus or a rental car was fueled up, you would be supporting the problem.
There are oil company employees risking their lives to help safegaurd the environment, but that seems to be lost on this group and I find that sad.
I can’t wait for the hydrogen fuel cell car either as it will help reduce or even eliminate our dependence on foriegn oil. The part that everyone seems to forget is that these vehicles require lubricants to run. Grease and Gear Oil from you guessed it–Oil. I have one homework assignment for everyone, sit in front of your computer and list everything you depend on, on a daily basis, that is derived from petroleum (Oil and Gas production). Gortex, your computer, the rubber soles on the bottom of your Birkenstocks, panty hose, your cell phone, the tires on your car, your ipod, contact lenses, glasses, the ambulance that rushes you to the hospital, the helmet that protects your childs head while riding thier bike, thier car seat, the electricity that heats your house and cooks your food, the trucks that bring your food to market. Before you bash big oil, take a long look in the mirror and you will see who is really to blame, because we are all big oil.
My wife had nothing to do with this rant as I highjacked her post. I have never done this since mudflats started but I hate hypocrits who bash companies like Chevron and than suckle off the petroleum tit.