The NewsRoom
Release: #3888
Date: September 30, 2008
Minerals
Management Service Releases Details of Drilling Rigs Destroyed from
Hurricane Ike
Confirmation of
Destruction and Damage Reports from Offshore Operators Continues
NEW ORLEANS –
Offshore operators continue to report damage from Hurricane Ike to
the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico Regional
Office. This information is compiled and used by MMS staff in
reviewing and approving repair plans submitted by the oil and gas
operators in order to resume oil and gas production from the Gulf of
Mexico.
MMS estimates
that from September 13, 2008 through September 14, 2008,
approximately 1,450 oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of
Mexico were exposed to hurricane conditions, winds greater than 74
miles per hour. As of August 2008, there were more than 3,800
production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico; these structures range
in size from single well caissons in water depths of ten feet to a
large complex facility in water depth greater than 7,000 feet.
Offshore
Infrastructure Destroyed –
As of September
29, 2008, 52 of the 3,800 offshore oil and gas production platforms
have been confirmed as destroyed. Initial estimates are that the 52
destroyed production platforms produced a total of 13,300 barrels of
oil per day and 90 million cubic feet of gas per day. (See table
below.) Currently, MMS has no information on whether any of the
destroyed platforms will be rebuilt by any operator.
Number
of Destroyed Platforms as of 9/29/08 |
Classified by Daily Oil Production Rates |
47 |
Less
than 1,000 barrels per day |
5 |
1,000 to
5,000 barrels per day |
0 |
Greater
than 5,000 barrels per day |
MMS is releasing
today additional details on the four drilling rigs that had been
confirmed as destroyed by Hurricane Ike.
Destroyed Drilling Rigs
as of 9/29/08 |
Operator/Lessee |
Location -
Area/Block |
Ensco 74 |
Mariner
Energy, Inc. |
South
Marsh Island 149 |
Pride
Wyoming |
Apache
Corporation |
Ship
Shoal 283 |
Mad Dog Spar Rig |
BP Exploration & Production, Inc. |
Green Canyon 782 |
Rowan Anchorage |
Newfield Exploration Co. |
Vermilion 201 |
Damage Reports –
Damage reports have been defined by the estimated time it will take
to make the repairs. For damage reporting purposes, MMS is
considering that all platforms experiencing hurricane strength winds
have the potential for minor damage. Repairs and resumption of
production from facilities with minor damage can be expected to
occur in less than one month. Examples of damage that would be
considered minor might include missing heliport skirting, missing
hand rails and pieces of grating or damaged boat landings.
As of September
29, 2008, MMS has received reports that indicate 32 platforms with
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.
Additional
reports show that 41 platforms received moderate damage taking one
to three months before production can be restored. 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.
In respect to
drilling rigs damaged, MMS has confirmed a report of one jack-up
drilling rig with extensive damage.
Pipeline
Assessments –
To date, MMS has
received reports of eight gas transmission pipeline systems with
damage. Analysis of the impact that this damage may have on resuming
production is underway. Operators have begun to test and inspect
other pipeline systems to evaluate the full extent of any damage.
Considering the large impacted area, it will take some time to
complete the inspections.
Sheen/Spill
Observations –
Visual
inspections of sheens/spills are being conducted as reports are
received. MMS will compile and release sheen reports upon completion
of the reporting and confirmation process. As previously reported,
there was one report of a release totaling 200 barrels of oil during
the hurricane event. Upon investigation, no sheen was observed. It
is expected that the oil dissipated through the course of the
hurricane. There have been no reports of oil impacting the shoreline
or affecting birds and wildlife from releases in the Gulf of Mexico
federal waters.
Resuming
Production –
Production from
the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 25 percent of the oil produced
domestically and 15 percent of the natural gas produced
domestically. As of June 2008, daily production estimates for the
Gulf of Mexico were 1.3 million barrels of oil and 7.0 billion cubic
feet of gas. Since that time, gas production from the Independence
Hub facility increased and in August 2008 gas production from the
Gulf was estimated at 7.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day.
Working with oil
and gas operators, there are tools that can be used to assist in
resuming production which is curtailed because of damaged pipelines.
These tools include barging, temporary flaring, and re-routing of
product through other pipelines. Use of these tools requires that
offshore operators submit requests to MMS for approval.
Updated damage
assessments will be issued as needed.
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:
10/01/2008,
12:08 PM
Central Time
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