US insists on post-Harvey inspection of oil and gas pipelines
The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued a directive following Hurricane Harvey requiring that all offshore oil and gas facilities in the storm's path are inspected and reported on to BSEE by the end of March 2018, and repairs made by 1 June the same year. Among the inspection requirements included in the directive are the visual inspection of pipeline tie-ins and crossings in less than 200 feet of water, and all pipelines must undergo a two-hour leak test before returning to service. So far the bureau has not received any reports of damage.

Hurricanes can wreak devastation on offshore infrastructure. In the case of pipelines, a physical impact, such as a dragging anchor, can breach a pipeline and cause pollution.

Strong waves and currents can move a pipeline, causing stress and potential ruptures.

Pipeline crossings may also be damaged by wave and current action, and waves can even expose buried pipelines in water depths of less than 200 feet.

The connectors between risers and surface facilities also can succumb to stress from wind and wave action.

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