There is an article in “Wired” magazine that tries to nail down through open source data what exactly happened.
Let me propose a different way of looking at it that seems more realistic, at least to me. We have been looking at external explosions as a means of sabotage. I have very sincere doubts about that.
Undersea pipelines are tough stuff. The composition of the pipe requires Ni Steel, aerogel insulation, carbon steel casing and concrete weight coating. There is also the issue of seawater.
Let’s just think about the saltwater surrounding the pipeline. For every 100 feet down there is one atmosphere of pressure on that pipeline. It is also cold and dense water and very dark.
If an explosive charge was carried out on the exterior of the pipeline the seawater would absorb some that energy. So, putting an explosive charge on top or under a very well constructed cylinder would be highly inefficient and could possibly fail.
If the pipeline was sabotaged it would probably be set inside the pipeline and not externally. Examining the remains of the pipeline might indicate the direction of the explosion in relation to the integrity of the material itself. The steel would show an explosion from the inside out or the outside in.
I don’t think there is enough information and guess work is highly irrelevant. No one can lay the blame on anyone through speculation. I think there must be far more forensics of the pipe to know where to look.
