Leakage from Ruptured Submarine Oil Pipeline

Abstract

The rupture of a submarine oil pipeline gives rise to various mechanisms leading to an oil spill. Among these mechanisms, the leakage of oil driven by the difference in specific gravities of oil and seawater is difficult to estimate. A two‐layer mathematical model and results of laboratory experiments concerning the buoyancy‐driven leak rates are presented. The mathematical model is predictive in that no adjustable constants are introduced, and takes account of the effects of (laminar or turbulent) friction, angle of inclination of the pipeline, and inertia of the fluid. Gas or volatile components are assumed to be absent. The experiments were made in a model pipeline at various angles of inclination. The agreement between theoretical and observed leak volumes is satisfactory. Theoretical results for some prototype pipelines are also included.