U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

OCS Study MMS 2001-011 and MMS 2001-012

The Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, announces the availability of a new study report, Deepwater Program: Literature Review, Environmental Risk of Chemicals Used in Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Oil and Gas Operations, Volume I: Technical Report and Volume II: Appendices.

The primary objectives of this study were to provide (1) an inventory of chemicals used in the Gulf of Mexico in both shallow and deep water; (2) models to predict usage in the future; (3) a summary of hazardous chemicals used as defined in 40 CFR 116; and (4) conceptual models using a range of chemical spill scenarios to predict impacts.

An inventory of chemicals used in the Gulf of Mexico was compiled using the data received from three major energy companies operating in the shallow and deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, annual reports provided in World Oil magazine, Material Safety Data Sheets, and a review of Hudgins’ 1991 report on chemical usage in the North Sea. Four chemical classes were identified according to usage: (1) drilling fluid; (2) cementing; (3) completion, stimulation, and workover; and (4) production. A searchable database was developed from the inventory. Models were developed for offshore exploration and production operations to estimate the volume of chemical transported, stored, and expected to be used at any one time in the Gulf of Mexico. A subset of representative chemicals was selected for intensive investigation and modeling of spill scenarios. A comparison of chemical usage between shallow and deep water indicated that some chemicals, in particular hydrate inhibitors, were in use in much greater quantities in deepwater. A review of spill data and results of modeling indicated that most chemicals do not pose a threat to the environment, if there were an accidental release at an offshore facility.

For more information about this study or the Environmental Studies Program in general, contact the Environmental Sciences Section (MS 5430), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2752.

You can obtain copies of the report from the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, at a charge of $20.00 per volume by referencing OCS Study MMS 2001-011 and MMS 2001-012. You will be able to obtain this report also from the National Technical Information Service in the near future. Here are the addresses. You may also inspect copies at selected Federal Depository Libraries.

The MMS, a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf. The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses more than $5 billion per year in revenues from federal offshore mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on federal and Indian lands.

-MMS-GOM-
MMS's Website Address: http://www.mms.gov

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