Oil and Gas News from OilGasDaily.Com
OIL AND GAS
Seismic and infrasonic signals used to characterize Nord Stream pipeline events
file illustration only
Seismic and infrasonic signals used to characterize Nord Stream pipeline events
by Staff Writers for SSA News
Washington DC (SPX) Jan 16, 2024

Seismic events that coincided with sudden drops in pressure within the Nord Stream 1 and 2 natural gas pipelines in September 2022 alerted the world to the rupture of pipelines in the western Baltic Sea. The suspected act of sabotage, which reportedly used explosive charges to rupture the pipelines, is still under investigation by multiple countries.

A new study published in The Seismic Record provides further evidence that the Nord Stream seismic signals came from a complex source. The signals lasted longer than would be expected from a single explosive source, the researchers say, and were more like the signals detected from an underwater volcano or a pipeline venting gas.

The initial signals from seismic events detected on 26 September 2022 "may be dominated by energy generated by the rapid venting of high-pressure gas, which means it may be difficult to assess the source size and characteristics of any explosive charges used to rupture the Nord Stream pipelines," said Ross Heyburn of AWE Blacknest.

The Nord Stream events offer a rare opportunity to study seismic and infrasound signals from the rupture of an underwater gas pipeline, Heyburn and colleagues noted. The researchers had access to data collected by local and regional seismic networks as well as seismic and infrasound data collected by the International Monitoring System (IMS), a global network that detects nuclear and other explosions for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

"To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that the IMS has recorded signals from an underwater event associated with a gas pipeline rupture," Heyburn said. "The events therefore provided an opportunity to observe the characteristics of signals, such as the long durations, generated by this type of source."

Natural seismic activity in the region is low, but the research team was able to analyze the Nord Stream signals with the help of seismic data from a few small earthquakes and explosions detonated during a 2019 NATO operation in the region to clear World War II British ground mines.

One of the methods seismologists use to determine whether a seismic event is caused by an explosion or an earthquake is to measure the ratio of P to S waves for the event. Explosions usually have a higher ratio of P to S waves than earthquakes, and the Nord Stream events are very different to nearby earthquakes in this regard, the researchers concluded.

The spectra of seismic signals from underwater explosions sometimes display a series of modulations caused by interference between the primary pulse generated by the explosion and later pulses generated by the changing size of the gas bubble created by the explosion. Heyburn and colleagues did not observe this series of modulations clearly, which suggests a complex source rather than a simple explosion source for the Nord Stream events.

One of the most striking features of the Nord Stream events is its long-lasting seismic and infrasonic signals, the researchers found. These signals decay slowly over thousands of seconds-much longer than would be expected from an impulsive, single explosion event. For instance, the infrasound recorded in Southern Germany from the first Nord Stream event of 26 September lasted about 2000 seconds, while an impulsive event recorded at that distance would normally last no longer than about 600 seconds.

These long-lasting seismic and infrasound signals are likely the result of vibrations caused by high-pressure gas venting rapidly from the pipeline into the water and atmosphere. The lengthy signals are similar to seismic signals caused by roaring flames when pipelines explode on land, Heyburn and colleagues concluded, noting that the duration of the Nord Stream infrasound signals was similar to those detected during venting by underwater volcanoes.

The researchers also compared the magnitude of the first Nord Stream pipeline seismic event to the magnitude of a seismic event on 7 October 2023 caused by the underwater rupture of the Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia. The Balticconnector pipeline rupture is thought to have been caused by a ship's anchor rather than an explosive charge.

The difference in seismic magnitudes between the two events "is consistent with the estimated potential energy ratio of the gas in each of these pipelines," Heyburn explained, which suggests that seismoacoustic signals from the initial Nord Stream event were dominated by the rapid venting of high-pressure gas.

Research Report:The 26 September 2022 Nord Stream Events: Insights from Nearby Seismic Events

Related Links
Seismological Society of America
All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
OIL AND GAS
Indigenous Australians fail bid to block major gas project
Sydney (AFP) Jan 15, 2024
A group of Indigenous Australians lost a courtroom battle on Monday to block a major gas pipeline which could soon resume construction off the country's northern coast. Fuel producer Santos - one of Australia's largest energy companies - is planning to lay an underwater pipeline to pump gas from offshore wells to the mainland. Tiwi Islands traditional owner Simon Munkara last year secured a temporary injunction halting the project, arguing Santos had not considered how it might damage cherishe ... read more

OIL AND GAS
Researchers create light-powered yeast, providing insights into evolution, biofuels, cellular aging

Nigerians look to biofuel as cost of cooking gas soars

Chinese company gives leftover hotpot oil second life as jet fuel

Cheap and efficient ethanol catalyst from laser-melted nanoparticles

OIL AND GAS
Pentagon to get rooftop solar panels in clean energy drive

Solar energy surges ahead, set to eclipse hydro, nuclear, and wind capacities

Gigantic solar farms may impact how much solar power can be generated elsewhere

A blueprint for affordable solar cells to power Saudi Arabia and beyond

OIL AND GAS
Leaf-shaped generators create electricity from the wind and rain

Danish firm to build huge wind farm off UK

UK unveils massive news windfarm investment by UAE, German firms

Wind and solar projects can profit from bitcoin mining

OIL AND GAS
Innovative use of antineutrinos in monitoring nuclear reactors for non-proliferation

Uranium Energy Corp to Resume Uranium Production in Wyoming's Powder River Basin

UK unveils plans for 'biggest nuclear power expansion in 70 years'

Jeumont Electric joins forces with Framatome and Naval Group

OIL AND GAS
New UN climate chief wants more action on greenhouse gas

2023's record heat partly driven by 'mystery' process: NASA scientist

Spain arrests climate activists over museum protests

UK's top government climate change adviser steps down

OIL AND GAS
Hertz to shrink EV rental fleet over sluggish US demand

Honda unveils futuristic EV designs to hit US market in 2026

Uber, Kia sign electric vehicle partnership

China's Evergrande says head of EV arm detained

OIL AND GAS
Iraq condemns Iran strikes as 'attack on its sovereignty'

Iraq recalls Iran envoy in rebuke to ally over deadly strikes

US offers to boost security ties with Iraq after Iran strike

Iran backs Iraqi call to end presence of US-led force

OIL AND GAS
Nine dead in Pakistan strikes on Iran; China offers to mediate

Northrop Grumman tests Sentinel Stage-Two Motor for US ICBM Modernization Program

Iran says it targeted 'Iranian terrorist group' in Pakistan

Iran 'flexes muscles' amid Gaza war fallout: analysts

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.