Paul, his father Hank, and the rest of the Danos team have always had a strong commitment to safety achievement. In recognition of their outstanding safety, pollution prevention, and compliance record, Danos won multiple National and District MMS SAFE Awards in the Production Contractor category. Danos is also a 2-time recipient of NOIA’s Safety in Seas Award. Paul will no doubt be an outstanding NOIA leader.
Posted in Offshore Energy - General, Uncategorized | Tagged Hank Danos, NOIA, Paul Danos, safety, safety culture | Leave a Comment »
The pipeline rupture, which was apparently caused by a ship’s anchor, occurred almost 9 months ago, but no investigation report has been issued. In February, the LA Times reported that the investigation was being delayed by bureaucratic processes. Meanwhile local politicians (see letter below) seem intent on preventing future production through the pipeline, regardless of the investigation’s findings.
Reports indicate that the pipeline was in excellent condition at the time of the incident. The best reporting and expert commentary on the incident also explains why immediate leak detection can be difficult on low pressure pipelines.
Posted in accidents, California, Offshore Energy - General, pipelines | Tagged ACOE, Amplify, Coast Guard, Huntington Beach, pipeline spill | Leave a Comment »
Per their court filing, Montana, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia seek to protect oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the United States. The States’ brief is rather political, which is not surprising given their support for offshore leasing and the apparent alignment of the Federal defendants and the plaintiffs in support of the decision by Judge Contreras to vacate the sale.
As was expected at the time of the ruling, the court decision on Sale 257 shut down offshore leasing for the remainder of the 2017-22 Five Year Plan. Secretary of the Interior Haaland has promised that a new proposed leasing plan will be released by 6/30/2022, but that is just the start of the lengthy planning process.
Interesting NEPA data from the States’ brief:
Many thanks to the Texas AG for making the States’ brief readily available online. Unfortunately, that is not the case for the other briefs filed in support of the sale.
Posted in climate, energy policy, Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged 5 year leasing plan, Lease Sale 257, States appeal, Texas | Leave a Comment »
Posted in drilling, Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged Baker Hughes rig count, Gulf of Mexico | Leave a Comment »
Per a very good OGJ update, API, Louisiana, Chevron, bp, Shell, NOIA, the EnerGeo trade group of geophysical contractors, 14 states filing jointly, and the US Chamber of Commerce have submitted briefs to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Don’t expect a decision soon. The environmental advocacy groups are not scheduled to file their responses until Aug. 26, after which replies can be filed. No decision is expected before November at the earliest.
Previous posts and background information on Lease Sale 257.
Posted in climate, energy policy, Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged API, DOI, Lease Sale 257, Louisiana | Leave a Comment »
Following an alleged missile strike on three platforms operated by the Crimea-based oil and gas company Chernomorneftegaz, satellite images indicate the fire is still visible at the site in the Black Sea. Russian official claims that the strike left behind several injured and missing persons.
offshore-energy.biz
Posted in Offshore Energy - General, Russia | Tagged Black Sea platforms, Crimea, missile attack, Russia, Ukraine | Leave a Comment »
As we should and must, offshore operators, contractors, and regulators suffer over every injury, leak, or potentially hazardous event. This is also true for onshore oil and gas operations and most other industries. Yet for the past 2 years, we have been waiting for a proper investigation into the origins of the Covid virus. The Daily Mail is reporting that the Director-General of the WHO now believes that the virus was released from the Wuhan lab.
How can a company have a proper safety culture in a world where this level of malfeasance and stonewalling are tolerated and rewarded?
Posted in accidents, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged investigations, origin of Covid, safety culture, WHO | Leave a Comment »
The EIA forecast looks about right. Production from new projects should offset existing field declines and maintain relatively stable volumes over the next 2-3 years. In the intermediate and longer terms we have problems given the dearth of exploratory drilling and new discoveries, and the complete absence of leasing.
Posted in energy policy, Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged EIA short term forecast, gas production, Gulf of Mexico, longer term concerns, oil production | Leave a Comment »
Kudos to Mike Wirth. It’s nice to see a CEO with some backbone. Most importantly, he defended his employees and their vital contribution to society.
“Chevron and its 37,000 employees work every day to help provide the world with the energy it demands and to lift up the lives of billions of people who rely on these supplies. Notwithstanding these efforts, your Administration has largely sought to criticize, and at times vilify, our industry. These actions are not beneficial to meeting the challenges we face and are not what the American people deserve.”
The comment that follows is interesting. Perhaps he wants to hear from the Climate Policy Office?
“Chevron will engage in this week’s meeting with Secretary Granholm. I encourage you to also send your senior advisors to this meeting, so they too can engage in a robust conversation.”
Posted in energy policy | Tagged Chevron, letter to President Biden, Mike Wirth | Leave a Comment »
For comparison, the previous six 5-Year Programs have included 10-12 GoM sales (11.3 average), 1-8 Alaska sales (4.3 ave.), 0-1 Atlantic sales (0.3 ave.), and no Pacific sales.
Posted in Alaska, energy policy, Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged 5 year leasing plan, Alaska, DOI, Gulf of Mexico, Secretary Haaland | Leave a Comment »
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 