Update: a suggestion is that methane hydrate forms as a solid plug in a methane pipeline where gas is present but not flowing (e.g. the Nordstream pipelines). If the pipe is depressurised at (only) one end to clear it
what generally happens is the hydrate plug will still melt at the plug/wall junction, but when it does, the pressurised side will launch the plug (five feet in diameter, and the same density as water ice) at almost 200 miles an hour down the pipe towards the depressurised side.When this plug bullet hits a bend in the pipe — well, it doesn’t stop, nor does it change direction easily. It’s going to make a hole.
Thanks to The LawDog Files for this, which seems more plausible then any warry explanation.
