corrosion is often not easy to spot - one of the best ways to detect it in a pipeline is to run a pig. also corrosion is sometimes estimated. however more frequent inspection should have taken place.
nopsa ended up blaming apache but they should shoulder some of the blame because it is their role to monitor the pipelines.
alcoa may not succeed in the case because of nopsas comments that apache may not have had a need to fulfil any state legislation which was lacking or non existant at the time - i.e. they didnt have a management plan which (i believe) they were under no compunction to produce
also im not sure how involved you are in rebuilding pipelines that have been destroyed but its not an overnight job. and considering its a gas plant it would have taken some time to dismantle then rebuild and commission. i know because ive done it and ive worked on gas plants.
as for having a spare christmas tree or a new valve setup its not surprising. just how many spares does one keep onsite in case something goes wrong? how can you prepare for every contingency? they were obviously following standard operating practices.
totally agree with you re the qangos
i know of pensioners turning off their electricity - where are their hardship grants?
