The collection manifold, which allows oil flows to be separated or combined without interrupting the flow, appears to have been damaged by an explosion.

CNN: South Sudan accuses Sudan of aerial, ground attacks

The collection manifold, which separates or combines oil flows without interrupting the overall flow, appears to have been damaged by an explosion.

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Whether or not a caisson was used, the oil from the containment assembly would then pass through a manifold a sort of switching yard for pipes to one or more floating risers leading to the surface and held vertical by buoys.

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"The evident destruction of the collection manifold is a big deal in that this by itself is likely to result in immediate cessation of oil flow from the area, " said Jonathan Hutson, a spokesman for the project, which is led by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.

CNN: South Sudan accuses Sudan of aerial, ground attacks