The NewsRoom
Release: #3867
Date: September 11, 2008
MMS
Releases Preliminary Offshore Damage Reports
from Hurricane Gustav
Collection of Preliminary Damage Reports Slows As Gulf Operators
Prepare for Hurricane Ike
NEW ORLEANS
–
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) today released preliminary
damage reports for the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas infrastructure
resulting from Hurricane Gustav.
From August 31,
2008 through September 1, 2008, approximately 677 oil and gas
production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico were exposed to hurricane
conditions, winds greater than 75 miles per hour. There are
approximately 3,800 production structures in the Gulf; this includes
both manned and unmanned facilities.
As of September
10, 2008, MMS has received one report of a small platform being
destroyed offshore Louisiana. There was an oil sheen reported in the
area of the platform that was estimated to have a volume of less
than one gallon. After investigation, no additional sheen was
observed. The platform was an unmanned structure and accounted for
approximately 0.01 percent of the Gulf of Mexico’s oil production
and 0.04 percent of the Gulf of Mexico’s natural gas production. As
of June 2008, the estimated oil production from the Gulf of Mexico
was 1.3 million barrels of oil per day and estimated natural gas
production was 7.0 billion cubic feet per day.
Since that time, gas production from the
Independence Hub facility had increased and current gas production
from the Gulf was estimated at 7.4 billion cubic feet of gas per
day.
“It’s very encouraging that reports of damage to date have been
minor. At the same time, we have just started to see reports and it
will take several weeks before we have a more comprehensive
picture,” said Randall Luthi, Director of the Minerals Management
Service.
The damage reports have been defined by the estimated time it will
take to make the repairs and restore oil and natural gas production
from the facilities. MMS has received a report of one platform
having extensive damage which may take from three to six months to
repair.
Examples of damage that would be considered extensive could include
underwater structural damage or major damage to pipelines carrying
the oil or natural gas to shore.
Reports have
been received that five platforms received moderate damage taking
one to three months before production can be restored and 35
platforms received minor damage which is expected to take up to one
month to repair and restore production. Damage that would be
considered moderate may include major topside damage to critical
process equipment such as the platform’s compressor or damaged
risers or flex joints where pipelines connect to the platforms.
Examples of damage that would be considered minor might include
missing heliport skirting, pieces of grating or damaged boat
landings.
MMS has been
conducting helicopter fly-overs to investigate reports of sheens. As
of September 10, 2008, there was one reported sheen estimated to be
nine barrels; subsequent investigations showed that the sheen had
dissipated. All other sheens reported by industry or observed by MMS
or U. S. Coast Guard overflights were estimated at less than one
barrel.
This information
will change as reports are confirmed. Until reports can be
confirmed, specific damage details will not be released. With the
approach of Hurricane Ike to the Gulf of Mexico, additional initial
damage reports as well as confirmation of the reported damage may be
delayed.
MMS released a
Notice to Lessees and Operators on Monday, September 8, 2008. This
operational document described the inspections and reports necessary
as a result of Hurricane Gustav impacting the Gulf of Mexico.
Following a hurricane, MMS routinely requires companies to survey
offshore facilities for any damage and report when the damage has
been repaired.
According to the
notice published by MMS, all operators, lessees and pipeline
right-of-way holders must conduct thorough inspections of their
facilities that were exposed to hurricane force winds. These
inspections require an above-water visual inspection followed by an
underwater visual inspection by divers or remotely operated vehicles
if it appears that underwater damage may have occurred.
MMS will review
the initial inspection plans and advise each operator as to the
acceptability of their plans. The notice also addressed inspections
of pipeline routes including pipeline tie-in and crossings, pipeline
risers, and pipeline steel catenary risers.
Contact:
Eileen Angelico
504-736-2595
Caryl Fagot
504-736-2590
MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior
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Last Updated:
09/11/2008,
04:03 PM
Central Time
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