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OCS-Related Incidents -- Offshore Energy and Minerals Management

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    Cheryl Anderson

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   Gulf of Mexico Region

Spills ≥ 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons) – 1969

January 24, 1969 (7 days) - Gulf Oil Corporation &/or Chevron

Pollution: 100 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Pipeline
Rig/Platform: Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 South Timbalier
44		 Cause: Leak: pipeline clamp
Distance to Shore: 28 Miles Water Depth: 176 Feet
Pipeline Segment: 03573 Pipeline Diameter: 18 Inches

Remarks: Oil pipeline from ST 131, 135, and 176 and 176 fields to Bay Marchand station. After pigging, partial circumferential break of submerged pipeline due to clamp failure. Spill volume estimated at more than 100 bbl. Response: repaired line. Event ended 1/30/1969.

February 10, 1969 - Kerr-McGee Corp. & White Shoals Pipeline Co.

Pollution: 342 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Pipeline
Rig/Platform: Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 Ship Shoal
214		 Cause: External Damage: dropped object
Distance to Shore: 37 Miles Water Depth: 105 Feet
Pipeline Segment: 01850 Pipeline Diameter: 6 Inches

Remarks: Metal object dropped on top of and left on submerged gas & oil pipeline next to platform. Abrasion from the metal pulsation caused a hole in the pipeline. Response: wells were shut in; cut out defective pipe and replaced.

February 11, 1969 (6 days) - Chevron Oil Company

Pollution: 7,532 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Pipeline
Rig/Platform: Lease: G01316
Area:
Block:		 Main Pass
299		 Cause: External Damage: anchor
Distance to Shore: 17 Miles Water Depth: 210 Feet
Pipeline Segment: 03469 Pipeline Diameter: 4 Inches

Remarks: Submerged crude oil/gas pipeline leak caused by anchor dragging. Line shut in and repaired. Response: replaced 170.4' with new pipe. Event ended 2/16/1969.

February 22, 1969 - Shell Offshore, Inc.

Pollution: 250 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Platform A Lease: G01187
Area:
Block:		 South Marsh Island 27 Cause: Equipment Failure
Distance to Shore: 48 Miles Water Depth: 100 Feet

Remarks:  A tank overflowed before the well was shut in.

March 16, 1969 (3-4 days) - Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico

Pollution: 2,500 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Drilling & Motor Vessel
Rig/Platform: Well No. 3 Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 Ship Shoal
72		 Cause: Collision: supply boat
Distance to Shore: 6 Miles Water Depth: 30 Feet
Other Events: Collision

Remarks: EXPLORATION SPILL. Oil blowout, 9,034'. Supply vessel bumped rig during storm which caused the rig to shift and sheared the wellhead. No storm choke had been installed. Response: well brought under control when capped. Event ended 3/19/1969.

April 11, 1969 - Shell Offshore, Inc.

Pollution: 100 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Platform B Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 Eugene Island
189		 Cause: Equipment Failure
Distance to Shore: 35 Miles Water Depth: 65 Feet

Remarks: Storage tank carry over. Response: the well was shut in.

August 10, 1969 - Placid Oil Company &/or NORCEN

Pollution: 50 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Pipeline
Rig/Platform: Well No. 4 Lease: G01524
Area:
Block:		 Ship Shoal
216		 Cause: Leak
Distance to Shore: 38 Miles Water Depth: 110 Feet
Pipeline Segment: 04252 Pipeline Diameter: 4 Inches

Remarks: Departing bulk oil line riser flowline break above splash zone, cause unknown. Automatic safety valve shut in well.

August 14, 1969 - Texas Gas Transmission Corporation

Pollution: 63 bbl Condensate Operation: Pipeline
Rig/Platform: Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 West Cameron
33		 Cause: External Damage: adjacent construction
Distance to Shore: 4 Miles Water Depth: 30 Feet
Pipeline Segment: 01503 Pipeline Diameter: 3 Inches

Remarks: Submerged condensate/oil pipeline was damaged from construction laying another line. Response: the line was shut in and damaged pipe was replaced.

September 29, 1969 - Continental Oil Company

Pollution: 50 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Platform H Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 East Cameron
83		 Cause: Equipment Failure
Distance to Shore: 31 Miles Water Depth: 57 Feet

Remarks: Sump overflowed. Automatic valves shut in the well.

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Last Updated: 07/15/08, 02:02 PM

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