March 20,
2006 – BP Exploration & Production, Inc. (Operator) &
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (Contractor)
Pollution: |
150 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
None |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
150
bbl Synthetic Base Fluids in 218 bbl of 61% SBM |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution & Emergency Riser Disconnect |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Completed 11-May-2006 |
Activity: |
Development/Production |
Lease: |
G17003 |
Operation: |
Drilling |
Area: |
Walker Ridge |
Causes: |
Weather & Equipment Failure |
Block: |
544 |
Distance to Shore: |
160 Miles |
Rig: |
Diamond Ocean Confidence |
Water Depth: |
6,844 Feet |
Remarks:
Sea
Conditions: Winds 36 mph, Current 3 mph, 12 foot seas. At 2100 hours
on 19-March-2006, while conducting drilling operations on Well No. 1
in Walker Ridge 544, the dynamically positioned Diamond Ocean
Confidence semi-submersible drilling rig began experiencing high
environmental loads due to the approaching western edge of an Eddy
(over 2 knots) and approaching weather system (~30 knot winds). The
Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) called for a Yellow Alert
following company station keeping guidelines and preparations began
for a possible riser disconnect. A Red Alert was initiated at 0649
hours when the total power consumption for the Dynamic Positioning
(DP) system consistently exceeded 80% due to the high winds and
current. At 0730 hours, environmental conditions caused the total
power consumption to exceed 85%. The pipe in the BOP was manually
sheared and the pipe in the riser was pulled clear of the Blow Out
Preventer (BOP). Once the drill pipe was cut, the SBM inside the
drill pipe was circulated into the riser in an attempt to recover
this fluid. Weather conditions began to improve so the OIM had the
rig crew stand by, secure from Red Alert and remain in Yellow Alert.
At 0817 hours engine #7 developed a fuel leak and was taken out of
service for repair. With the engine #7 off line, the total power
consumption rose to over 80% again, the OIM again ordered a Red
Alert to be initiated. During the displacement of the SBM in the
riser from the cut drill string, an Emergency Disconnect Sequence
(EDS) from the BOP was performed at 0822 hours. Approximately 218
bbls of 13.4 ppg 69% synthetic-based mud (SBM) were lost to the Gulf
of Mexico. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately
150 barrels of synthetic base oil.
Accident Investigation Report:
Form 2010 20-Mar-2006 WR544
NRC Report:
791414
May 8,
2006 –
Schlumberger
Pollution: |
72.7 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
None |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
10.7 bbl Hydrochloric Acid and 62 bbl Caustic Cleaner |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
NRC Report Only |
Activity: |
N/A |
Lease: |
G08735 |
Operation: |
Drilling |
Area: |
West Delta |
Causes: |
Equipment Failure |
Block: |
106 |
Distance to Shore: |
6
Miles |
Vessel:
|
Deep Stem #3 |
Water Depth: |
252 Feet |
Remarks:
The
lease operator for G08735 where the fixed 4-pile Platform A in West
Delta 106 is located is Walter Oil & Gas.
The offshore supply vessel (OSV)
experienced a release of 450 gallons (10.7 bbl) of hydrochloric acid
and 2,602 gallons (62 bbl) of caustic cleaner due to equipment
failure. It is not clear whether the OSV was servicing the lease, or
whether it was just navigating through the lease area at the time of
the release.
NRC Report:
796532
May 9,
2006 – BP Exploration & Production, Inc. (Operator) &
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (Contractor)
Pollution: |
107 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
None |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
107 bbl Synthetic Base Fluids in
213 bbl of 50% SBM |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Completed 27-June-2006 |
Activity: |
Exploration |
Lease: |
G17003 |
Operation: |
Drilling |
Area: |
Walker Ridge |
Causes: |
Human Error |
Block: |
544 |
Distance to Shore: |
190 Miles |
Rig: |
Diamond Ocean Confidence |
Water Depth: |
6,832 Feet |
Remarks: On the
Diamond Ocean Confidence semi-submersible
drilling rig, a circulation pump was being used to a transfer
Synthetic Based Mud (SBM) from one tank to another for future
operational needs. The rig’s normal mud circulation pump was used to
transfer these fluids. During the transfer rig personnel noticed
that the receiving tank was not rising while the pump was running.
The pump was stopped after running approximately 9 minutes. It was
found that a valve had been left open. To transfer the synthetic
base mud from pit to pit a valve needs to be opened on the line that
connects both pits together. By error, personnel opened the valve to
the saltwater wash pit, which discharges overboard. Approximately
213 bbls of 50% synthetic-based mud (SBM) were pumped from the mud
pit tank into the Gulf of Mexico during this operation. It is
estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 107 barrels of
synthetic base oil.
Accident Investigation Report:
Form 2010 09-May-2006 WR544
NRC Report:
796561
August
15, 2006 – BP Exploration & Production, Inc. (Operator) &
Transocean Offshore (Contractor)
Pollution: |
294 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
None |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
294 bbl Calcium Bromide |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Completed 22-Sep-2006 |
Activity: |
Development/Production |
Lease: |
G09866 |
Operation: |
Completion |
Area: |
Mississippi Canyon |
Causes: |
Human Error |
Block: |
776 |
Distance to Shore: |
60 Miles |
Rig: |
Transocean Discoverer Enterprise |
Water Depth: |
5,636 Feet |
Remarks: Sea
Conditions: Wind SE at 10 mph, Current E at 2mph, 2 foot seas.
Early
morning on August 15, 2005 on the Transocean Discoverer Enterprise
drillship, the RC1 reserve pit was filled with water and the water
was subsequently pumped overboard through the transfer (overboard)
line from which a blank had been removed and a static sheen test was
completed. The task was completed and a Permit to Work was
completed. The blank on the overboard line was not replaced. After
tour change, the rig floor was in the process of performing a
negative test on the well. Pit volumes where attained and walk
through was held. The plan was to have Dowell pump water down the
drill string taking returns up the backside with calcium bromide,
over the shakers and into pit P4. Displacement was started and
returns where monitored in P4. The assistant driller was monitoring
P4 and Dowell to make sure we where getting a bbl in and a bbl out.
A total of 120 bbls had been pumped with no problems. The derrick
hand then called and stated he was going to start filtering fluid
out of P4 into P2 and P5. The assistant driller agreed and the
process was started.
The
derrickman checked his line up in the mix pump room and the pit room
and then lined up a centrifugal pump on P4 to supply fluid to the
filter presses. He lined up his discharge from the filter press back
to the transfer line which was routed to P2 and P5 active pits and
started filtering fluid. With the blank out and valves open in
process pump room fluid was being pumped to P2, P5 and overboard.
When the mud engineers strapped the mud pits and calculated their
volumes at 2359, August 15, 2006, they could not account for 294
bbls of calcium bromide. Therefore it is presumed 294 bbl of calcium
bromide were pumped out of the pits, through the overboard line and
into the Gulf of Mexico.
Accident Investigation Report:
Form 2010 15-Aug-2006 MC776
NRC Report: NONE
November 4,
2006 – BP Exploration & Production, Inc. &
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (Contractor)
Pollution: |
70 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
None |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
70 bbl Synthetic Base Fluids
in 127 bbl of 55% SBM |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Completed 4-Jan-2007 |
Activity: |
Development/Production |
Lease: |
G08831 |
Operation: |
Drilling |
Area: |
Mississippi Canyon |
Causes: |
Human Error |
Block: |
566 |
Distance to Shore: |
71 Miles |
Rig: |
Diamond Ocean Confidence |
Water Depth: |
6,929 Feet |
Remarks: On the
Diamond Ocean Confidence semi-submersible
drilling rig, while drill crew was
reverse circulating after a cement job, mud losses were noticed.
Valve alignment was checked in the shaker house and one valve was
found to be partially open on shunt line for mud pits allowing 127
bbls of Synthetic Oil Base Mud (SOBM) to go overboard of which 55%
or 70 bbls was oil base.
Standard Procedure had been reviewed prior
to the cement job, but the possibility of "reversing out" was not
anticipated in the procedures. The shaker hand had been in that
position for 18 months but crewman thought he had closed the
butterfly valve completely.
Rough seas impaired the meter reading levels resulting in slow
response time in recognizing losses to active system. The valve had
not been previously identified on the "OBM Overboard Discharge"
list. The reverse out line is used so infrequently it had been
overlooked.
Accident Investigation Report:
Form 2010 4-Nov-2006 MC566
NRC Report:
817119
November 5,
2006 – BP Exploration & Production, Inc. (Operator) &
Transocean Offshore (Contractor)
Pollution: |
383 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
None |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
383 bbl Synthetic Base
Fluids in 547 bbl of 70% SBM |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution & Fire & Emergency
Riser Disconnect |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Completed 31-Jan-2007 |
Activity: |
Exploration |
Lease: |
G09867 |
Operation: |
Drilling |
Area: |
Mississippi Canyon |
Causes: |
Equipment Failure |
Block: |
777 |
Distance to Shore: |
98 Miles |
Rig: |
Transocean Discoverer Enterprise |
Water Depth: |
6,037 Feet |
Remarks:
Sea
Conditions: Winds SE at 24 mph, Currents NE at 1 mph, 9 foot seas.
At 0656 hours on November 5, 2006 on the drillship Transocean
Discoverer Enterprise, maintenance personnel near the port aft high
voltage switch gear room heard an abnormal noise/buzzing with light
smoke in the space. During their investigation of the space, they
heard a louder pop and found the port harmonic filter had blown its
three fuses, and a dead short between phases at the port harmonic
filter fuses occurred, causing an upset on the 11KV power bus. The
fuse material caused a small fire due to the fuse slag near the base
of the unit. A portable CO2 fire extinguisher was used to extinguish
the flame. Emergency bus supply to essential services was
interrupted when the circuit breakers that maintain this supply
tripped. The cause of this is subject to further ongoing
investigation. The essential services bus powers the main fuel pumps
for the main generators and the 2 main generators connected to the
bus where unable to deliver the required load of the thrusters that
were in-service. A sequence of load shedding and under/over
frequency events were initiated with the generators having a fuel
rack setting of 100% but insufficient fuel being supplied to the
engines. The generators eventually opened their breakers causing all
6 thrusters to drop offline. At 0659 hours the vessel reached the
red watch circle and the emergency riser disconnect sequence was
initiated. At 06:59:45 hours the separation of the LMRP was
confirmed at a distance of 185 feet from location resulting in the
release of 547 bbl of 70% synthetic base drilling mud (SBM). It is
estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 383 barrels of
synthetic base oil. No visible sheen was reported at the surface.
Accident Investigation Report:
Form 2010 15-Aug-2006 MC777
NRC Report:
817168
November 12,
2006 - L & M Botruc
Pollution: |
162.8 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
None |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
162.8 bbl Synthetic Base Fluids
in 243 bbl of 67% SBM |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
None |
Activity: |
Exploration |
Lease: |
G01141 |
Operation: |
Drilling |
Area: |
East Cameron |
Causes: |
Human Error |
Block: |
147 |
Distance to Shore: |
66 Miles |
Work Boat: |
Botruc #20 |
Water Depth: |
123 Feet |
Remarks:
INCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR ON LEASE. The Botruc #20 work boat was en
route to Samson Offshore Company’s G01141 lease at Vermilion 217
Platform E where the Rowan Anchorage jack-up Rig was drilling well
#F002. A spill of synthetic-based mud (SBM) occurred in the vicinity
of EC 147, well away from the lease that Samson Offshore Company's
drilling activities in VR 217. The spill occurred due to a valve
that had been left open after an operation to stir the tanks. The
work boat spilled 243 bbl of 67% Olefin SBM containing approximately
162.8 bbl of Olefin synthetic base fluid.
NRC Report:
817920
December
24, 2006 – BP Pipelines
(North America) Inc.
Pollution: |
870 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
870 bbl Crude Oil |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Panel Investigation Ongoing |
Activity: |
Production |
Lease: |
G09867 |
Operation: |
Pipeline |
Area: |
Galveston |
Causes: |
External Damage |
Block: |
A005 |
Distance to Shore: |
N/A |
Pipeline Segment: |
#
4879 |
Water Depth: |
126 Feet |
Remarks: The 300,064 foot
long 14-inch oil pipeline segment #4879 (a DOT-regulated pipeline)
is part of the main pipeline of the High Island Pipeline System
(HIS). It is a DOT-authorized pipeline which goes from Galveston 214
to High Island A474. This investigation is a panel investigation
estimated to be completed in March 2008. Initial determinations
suggest the cause of the pipeline break was impact from a vessel
anchor which severed the pipeline. Preliminary spill volume is 870
bbl of light sweet crude oil. ( This information is subject to
change pending completion of the panel investigation.)
Panel Investigation Report: Pending
NRC Report:
821942
January to December,
2006 – Pioneer Natural
Resources USA, Inc.
Pollution: |
51.5 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
51.5 bbl Crude Oil |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Pollution Report Only |
Activity: |
Decommissioning/Salvage
|
Lease: |
G02254 |
Operation: |
Submerged Platform |
Area: |
East Cameron |
Causes: |
Hurricane Rita |
Block: |
322 |
Distance to Shore: |
95 Miles |
Platform: |
A |
Water Depth: |
230
Feet |
Remarks: The East
Cameron 322A 8-pile fixed platform was destroyed by Hurricane Rita.
The platform was shut in prior to the storm and the subsea safety
valves held which limited oil losses to that which was stored on the
structure. At the time of the hurricane, there was approximately
659.4 bbl of petroleum and 65.6 bbl of chemicals on board. All 725
bbl has been assumed to have been lost (some of which may have
actually been recovered).
The
platform has since been a source of chronic or intermittent leaks
through Spring 2007. Pioneer is monitoring the platform and filing
daily reports with MMS. The
operator reported approximately 53.4 bbl lost in chronic land
intermittent leaks from October through December 2005. The 725 bbl
lost at the time of the hurricane, plus 53.4 bbl of chronic
pollution in the fourth quarter of 2005 total to 778.4 bbl in 2005
and are reported in two separate entries in the 2005 Hurricane Rita
Narratives for spills > 50 barrels.
Throughout 2006, there was an
additional loss of approximately 142.8 bbl of crude oil in
intermittent releases. Pioneer had begun the process of clearing
debris and plugging abandoning the wells. The 142.8 bbl in 2006 was
distributed: 14.6 bbl January-March, 41.1 bbl April-June, 35.6 bbl
July-September, 51.5 bbl October-December. This 142.8 bbl is
identified in the 2006 Narratives for spills > 50 barrels in
the Gulf of Mexico.
An additional 52.9 bbl was reported
in 2007. The 52.9 bbl were distributed: 16.9 bbl January-March, 30.4
bbl April-June, 4.7 bbl July-September, 1.0 bbl October-December.
Seepage was accounted by calendar quarters
where any quarter for which seepage accumulated to at least one
barrel has been included as a spill.
The initial loss during the
hurricane was 725 bbl. Subsequent seepage from October 2005 through
June 15, 2008 was 249.1 bbl. This was counted as three spills of 50
bbl or more: 725 bbl during the hurricane, 53.4 bbl in 4th Quarter
2005, 51.5 bbl in 4th Quarter 2006.
EC 322 A Oil Losses Thru June 2008 *,** |
Year |
Time Period |
Initial Loss/ Quarterly Seepage barrels |
Initial Loss/ Annual Seepage barrels |
2005 |
Hurricane Rita |
725.0 |
778.4 |
|
4th Quarter |
53.4 |
|
2006 |
1st Quarter |
14.6 |
142.8 |
|
2nd Quarter |
41.1 |
|
|
3rd Quarter |
35.6 |
|
|
4th Quarter |
51.5 |
|
2007 |
1st Quarter |
16.9 |
52.9 |
|
2nd Quarter |
30.4 |
|
|
3rd Quarter |
4.7 |
|
|
4th Quarter |
1.0 |
|
2008 |
1st Quarter |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Total |
|
974.1 |
974.1 |
*
includes chronic seepage totaling to at
least on barrel in a calendar quarter.
**
includes 65.62 bbl of chemicals lost during Hurricane Rita
Hurricane NRC Reports:
773825 &
773940
4th Quarter 2005 NRC Report:
779118
4th Quarter 2006 NRC Report:
810770
January to December,
2006 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Pollution: |
62.5 bbl 1st Quarter |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
62.5 bbl Condensate |
Pollution: |
528.3 bbl 2nd Quarter |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
528.3 bbl Condensate |
Pollution: |
134.2 bbl 3rd Quarter |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
134.2 bbl Condensate |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
1.2 bbl chemicals |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Offshore Information Report Only |
Activity: |
Development/Production |
Lease: |
G02608 |
Operation: |
Production |
Area: |
Eugene Island |
Causes: |
Hurricane Rita |
Block: |
313 |
Distance to Shore: |
79 Miles |
Platform: |
B |
Water Depth: |
240 Feet |
Remarks: The Eugene
Island 313B 8-pile fixed platform was downed on September 24, 2005
by Hurricane Rita. Approximately 8.3 bbl in seepage between October
and December 2005 are accounted for in the table below, but are not
included in the 2006 spill volume estimate above.
Small sheens persisted until May 22,
2006 when there was a dramatic increase in sheens until the primary
source, well B-20, was successfully cemented in by early July 2006.
Pollution domes were used to minimize or contain seepage from
damaged structures until repairs or decommissioning can be
performed. However, it is difficult to contain such releases during
decommissioning activities as the structures are cut up and
dismantled. Small sheens were then August through November 2006 when
the sheens stopped permanently.
Seepage was accounted by calendar quarters
where any quarter for which seepage accumulated to at least one
barrel has been included as a spill. Consequently, the 2006 spillage
is counted as 3 spills of 50 bbl and greater rather than one 725 bbl
spill as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Quarters were 62.5 bbl, 528.3 bbl and
134.2 bbl.
Seepage was accounted by calendar quarters
where any quarter for which seepage accumulated to at least one
barrel has been included as a spill.
There was no recorded loss during
the hurricane.. Subsequent seepage from October 2005 through June
15, 2008 was 733.3 bbl. This was counted as three spills of 50 bbl
or more during 2006: 62.5 bbl in the 1st Quarter, 528.3 bbl in the
2nd Quarter, and 134.2 bbl in the 3rd Quarter 2006.
EI 313 B Oil Losses Thru December 2007 *,** |
Year |
Time Period |
Initial Loss/ Quarterly Seepage barrels |
Initial Loss/ Annual Seepage barrels |
2005 |
Hurricane Rita |
0.0 |
8.3 |
|
4th Quarter |
8.3 |
|
2006 |
1st Quarter |
62.5 |
725.0 |
|
2nd Quarter |
528.3 |
|
|
3rd Quarter |
134.2 |
|
|
4th Quarter |
0.0 |
|
2007 |
1st Quarter |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
2nd Quarter |
0.0 |
|
|
3rd Quarter |
0.0 |
|
|
4th Quarter |
0.0 |
|
2008 |
1st Quarter |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Total |
|
733.3 |
733.3 |
*
includes chronic seepage totaling to at
least on barrel in a calendar quarter.
**
includes 1.2 bbl of chemicals lost during Hurricane Rita
The May 22nd NRC Report #797997 to the National Response Center
is linked below. Other related NRC reports throughout 2006 were
787935, 801412, 808845, 808996, 809109, 809236, 809330, 809425,
809553, 809758, 809847, 809970, 810083, 810151, 810233, 810324,
810466, 810602, 810712, 810852, 810942, 811067, 811153, 811316,
812452, 812644, 812972, 813223, 814079, 816430, 816794 can be viewed
at the same NRC website.
NRC Report:
797997
January
thru March, 2006 – Forest Oil
Corporation
Pollution: |
50.6 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
50.6 bbl Condensate |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event/Cause: |
Hurricane Rita Pollution |
Area: |
Eugene Island |
Lease: |
G01981 |
Block: |
314 |
Distance to Shore: |
78 Miles |
Platform: |
Platform F |
Water Depth: |
230 Feet |
Remarks: The Eugene
Island 314F 4-pile fixed platform was destroyed by Hurricane Rita.
The platform was shut in prior to the storm and the subsea safety
valves held which limited oil losses. No spillage was reported
during the hurricane.
Approximately 165.6 bbl seepage was
observed in the 4th quarter of 2005 (October to December 2005) which
is included in the 2005 pollution incidents of 50 bbl or more.
This additional 50.6 bbl of seepage
was reported over the first quarter of 2006 between January and
March.
2005 NRC Report:
776318
2006 NRC Report:
787130
January to December,
2006 – BP Exploration & Production, Inc.
Pollution: |
59 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
59 bbl Crude Oil |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
Completed 9-Nov-2006 |
Activity: |
Decommissioning/Salvage |
Lease: |
01333 |
Operation: |
Submerged Platform |
Area: |
Grand Isle |
Causes: |
Hurricane Katrina |
Block: |
47 |
Distance to Shore: |
18 Miles |
Platform: |
C |
Water Depth: |
88
Feet |
Remarks:
The
Grand Isle 47C 8-pile fixed platform is one of the seven BP operated
platforms downed in Federal waters by Hurricane Katrina.
As
part of BP's initial hurricane response, over-flights were conducted
as early as September 6, 2005. In addition, an ROV vehicle was
mobilized for inspection of all of BP's downed platforms on October
20, 2005. Platform will be
dismantled by the end of 2007, and well(s) will be abandoned by the
end of 2008.
A
response vessel and crew was assigned 24/7 to the Grand Isle
40-47field which has remained in action since January 2006.
195 bbl of hydrocarbons from the
platform topsides were assumed to have been lost during Hurricane
Katrina (some of which may have actually been recovered). It is
assumed all topside losses were crude oil (some may have been
refined products). An additional 18.6 bbl in intermittent releases
were reported September through December 2005. This 213.6 bbl is
reported in the 2005 spill volumes.
Throughout 2006, there was an
additional loss of approximately 110.6 bbl of crude oil in
relatively small intermittent releases (including releases of less
than one barrel which are reported in the 2006 spill volumes.
However, only one quarter had seepage of 50 bbl or more so rather
than a 110.62 bbl spill in 2006, this is counted as four spills of
7.2, 25.8, 59, and 18.6 bbl for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Quarters
respectively.
An additional 21.8 bbl of
intermittent seepage was observed in 2007. In the first quarter of
2008, approximately 48.2 bbl seepage was observed by early March.
Beginning May 21, 2006, the frequency and magnitude of the releases
increased and BP, in consultation with the USCG and MMS, developed
and implemented additional response measures to monitor, contain and
recover all hydrocarbon releases. Two response vessels were tasked
to monitor, contain, and recover all hydrocarbon releases 24/7
specifically from Gl-47C. In mid-August 2006, over-flights observed
two hydrocarbon releases totaling approximately 37.1 bbl (included
in the 2006 spill volume). A much larger, fully staffed and trained
Incident Management Team (IMT) was activated as a precautionary
measure on August 16, 2006 in response to the increasing frequency
and magnitude of hydrocarbon releases. This larger IMT is fully
integrated with BP's Decommissioning and Downed Platform teams.
Staffing for these teams has increased significantly to more than
150 relevant experts. Six vessels were on site, shallow hazard
assessment work was performed in support of relief well planning (if
needed), and a collection dome was constructed. By December 2006,
the collection dome was fully functional and three boats were on
location at all times, weather permitting, and the boats are
equipped with skimming equipment and absorbent booms. By late 2006
or early 2007, BP had enhanced the instrumentation and installed a
boat ramp.
Seepage in 2007 never reached 50 bbl
in any calendar quarter.
As of 2008, decommissioning and
abandonment operations are being performed by Wild Well Control.
Approximately 50.6 bbl seeped
between January 1 and March 31, 2008, some of this was stimulated by
activities related to abandoning the wells.
Seepage was accounted by calendar quarters
where any quarter for which seepage accumulated to at least one
barrel has been included as a spill.
The initial loss during the
hurricane was 195 bbl. Subsequent seepage from October 2005 through
June 15, 2008 was 213.7 bbl. This was counted as three spills of 50
bbl or more: 195 bbl during the hurricane, 59 bbl in 3rd Quarter
2006, 50.6 bbl in 1st Quarter 2008.
GI 47 C Oil Losses in Barrels Thru June 15, 2008* |
Year |
Time Period |
Initial Loss/ Quarterly Seepage barrels |
Initial Loss/ Annual Seepage barrels |
2005 |
Hurricane Katrina |
195.0 |
213.6 |
|
4th Quarter |
18.6 |
|
2006 |
1st Quarter |
7.2 |
110.6 |
|
2nd Quarter |
25.8 |
|
|
3rd Quarter |
59.0 |
|
|
4th Quarter |
18.6 |
|
2007 |
1st Quarter |
4.2 |
21.8 |
|
2nd Quarter |
0.3 |
|
|
3rd Quarter |
14.1 |
|
|
4th Quarter |
3.3 |
|
2008 |
1st Quarter |
50.6 |
62.7 |
|
2nd Quarter |
12.2 |
|
Total |
|
408.7 |
408.7 |
*
includes chronic seepage totaling to at
least on barrel in a calendar quarter (plus 0.3 bbl seepage from 2nd
Quarter 2007)
2005 NRC Report:
776776
2006 NRC Reports:
807652 &
807961 &
819043 &
819044
2007 NRC Reports:
822820 &
841114 &
852587 &
852587
2008 NRC Report:
859213
THE SPILL BELOW IS CHRONIC SEEPAGE OF LESS THAN 50 BBL IN 2006,
BUT THE TOTAL SPILL PLUS SEEPAGE FROM THE STRUCTURE OVER 2005 AND 2006
WAS 50 BBL OR GREATER
January to December,
2006 – Maritech Resources, Inc.
Pollution: |
47.4 bbl |
Crude Oil/ Condensate: |
47.4 bbl Crude Oil |
Refined Petroleum: |
None |
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: |
None |
Chemicals: |
None |
Event: |
Pollution |
MMS Investigation Report: |
None |
Activity: |
Decommissioning/Salvage
|
Lease: |
G01036 |
Operation: |
Submerged Platform |
Area: |
Ship Shoal |
Causes: |
Hurricane Rita |
Block: |
269 |
Distance to Shore: |
59 Miles |
Platform: |
A |
Water Depth: |
170
Feet |
Remarks: The Ship
Shoal 269A 4-pile fixed platform was destroyed by Hurricane Rita on
September 24, 2005. The platform was shut in prior to the storm and
the subsea safety valves held which limited oil losses to that which
was stored on the structure. At the time of the hurricane, there was
approximately 35.5 bbl of petroleum (including 25 bbl crude oil, 10
bbl diesel) and 5.2 bbl of chemicals on board, all of which has been
assumed to have been lost (some of which may have actually been
recovered).
Between April and October 2006,
there was a total loss of approximately 47.4 bbl of crude oil in
intermittent releases (including releases of less than one barrel).
The 47.4 bbl in 2006 was distributed: 38.3 bbl April-June, 6.5 bbl
July-September, 2.6 bbl in October.
THIS RELEASE IS LESS THAN 50 BBL IN
2006. It has been included to identify the combined 2005 and 2006
total petroleum loss of 82.9 bbl from the loss of the Ship Shoal
269A platform during Hurricane Rita and including seepage into 2006.
NRC Report 2005:
778161
NRC Report 2006:
794455
NRC Report 2006:
803722
NRC Report 2006:
813652
THE FOUR SPILLS BELOW ARE DRILLING MUD SPILLS WHERE THE POLLUTION,
OIL OR SYNTHETIC BASE FLUID VOLUME, IS LESS THAN 50 BBL, BUT THE TOTAL
MUD VOLUME WAS 50 BBL OR GREATER
February
12, 2006 – BP
Exploration & Production Inc. (operator) &
Transocean Offshore (contractor)