Originally Posted by
NutLoose
Likewise could Germany not open their valves letting the gas escape into their tanks, reducing the pressure and letting it flood?
Sort of but not really. Best thing for Germany to do is to keep the valves at the southern end closed. That way as much as possible of the line remains gas filled at a very low pressure once this has blown down.
All the people wailing about the damage that will be caused if the line becomes full of salt water are way ahead of themselves. Short term it really doesn't matter if the line becomes full of uninhibited sea water, provided that there is no flow of thay water in the line. But better if it was gas full at low pressure which is the natural outcome in the do-nothing state.