March 5, 2011 by offshoreenergy
Ohmsett
The seemingly endless crowing about the absence of improvements in spill response capabilities is a story by itself. This topic warrants a full discussion when time permits, but for now I’ll offer a few comments and observations:
- The Macondo offshore spill response was unprecedented and impressive, and the lessons learned will be applied to improve spill response preparedness around the world.
- Those who claim that there has been no progress in spill preparedness either have no real interest in spill response or have not been paying attention.
- Even in the lean years following the Valdez oil spill research surge, the much-maligned MMS continued to conduct important burning, dispersant, remote sensing, and mechanical cleanup studies, while upgrading and expanding the use of the nation’s major oil spill response test facility – Ohmsett (pictured above). This research was effectively applied during the Macondo spill and smaller, less publicized incidents. Click here for a nice summary of the program and here for the very extensive list of projects and links to the reports. Domestic and international partnerships, most notably with Norway and Canada, helped sustain this important research.
- Despite periodic attempts to reprogram Ohmsett funding, MMS was able to continue to support this outstanding research facility. Learn more about Ohmsett.
- During the blowout, the networks featured the snake oil salesmen and hucksters who peddle super-sorbents and oil-consuming substances during every major spill. That time should have been given to response experts and serious oil spill researchers.
- Former industry executives with no real spill response experience trumpeted, without any documentation, claims of extraordinary recovery rates elsewhere (usually in places where no one gets to watch). Their favorite concept, supertanker response systems, received a lot of air time until the “Whale” tanker-skimmer flopped as predicted.
- You would think that Kevin Costner’s very good separator (tested at Ohmsett in 1999!) was the only advance in response technology. Perhaps more movie and TV stars should get involved with spill response. Charlie (Oil) Sheen would no doubt attract interest to the cause. 🙂
NWS Earle Executive Officer Claudill, Kevin Costner, and Ohmsett Manager Bill Schmidt (1999 photo at Ohmsett)
Posted in accidents | Tagged accidents, blowouts, Gulf of Mexico, macondo, MMS, offshore oil, ohmsett, oil spill, Valdez | Leave a Comment »
March 4, 2011 by offshoreenergy
This is not the best translation (from Spanish by Google), but I think you get the gist:
A report is in the hands of the Federation of Petroleum Workers of Venezuela (FUTPV) shows the “precarious” state that is the drill ship PetroSaudi Discover, which operates in the Gulf of Paria in the Gran Mariscal gas project Sucre. This platform, as declared by the executive secretary and coordinator of health and safety of FUTPV, Eudis Girot, bear the same fate as his partner Aban Pearl, black on 13 May 2009 in the same coasts, if not halted operations and taken to Trinidad and Tobago for repair.
“We already knew it was a scrap, just like Aban Pearl,” said a source.
More on the Aban Pearl.
Posted in accidents | Tagged aban pearl, Petrosaudi Discover, venezuela | 1 Comment »
March 3, 2011 by offshoreenergy
From Platts Oilgram News article by Gary Gentile:
The team examining the BOP in Louisiana conducted tests in January and February of this year that showed that with the proper amount of hydraulic fluid pressure, the rams on the BOP would close, according to Dan Tillema, an investigator with the US Chemical Safety Board.
Portions of drill pipe were found in the BOP and the pipe was cut, Tillema said—a sign that the rams did close at some point during the incident.
But Tillema cautions against making any assumptions based on the test results sofar. Some reports have suggested that rubber gaskets around the rams were worn awayby the massive flow of oil and gas gushing from the Macondo well, overcoming the BOP’s capacity. That is just one of several possibilities, Tillema said. “We haven’t made any conclusions yet,” he said.
Posted in accidents, well control incidents | Tagged accidents, blowouts, BOP, chemical safety board, Deepwater Horizon, drilling, Gulf of Mexico, macondo, offshore oil, safety, well control | 2 Comments »
March 3, 2011 by offshoreenergy
In recent years various bodies have concluded that certain MMS offices and programs have violated ethical rules or guidelines. In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, some questioned whether ethical lapses played any role in causing the blowout. The Chief Counsel‘s team found no evidence of any such lapses.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged accidents, blowouts, Deepwater Horizon, drilling, Gulf of Mexico, macondo, MMS, National Commission | 2 Comments »
March 3, 2011 by offshoreenergy
“The Honda Civic GX (the only NGV available to U.S. consumers and repeat winner of the ACEEE Green List) has been so successful Honda predicts it will double GX sales in the U.S. this year after doubling them in 2009. Utah, Oklahoma and California have been very successful in building out natural gas infrastructure and deploying NGVs that are refueling with natural gas.” SeekingAlpha.com
While I don’t agree with everything in this article, the numbered points are right on target. Increased use of natural gas for transportation is the best near- and intermediate-term option for reducing oil consumption and imports, air emissions, and transportation costs.
Supply does not appear to be an issue in light of the numerous domestic options including shale gas, Alaskan gas, coalbed methane, and conventional onshore and offshore gas. Given the proximity of enormous shale gas resources to major markets, shale gas is the featured attraction. However, this is an offshore blog, and from a strictly environmental perspective, offshore gas is the preferred option. Why?
- No freshwater contamination issues
- Small environmental footprint – limited facilities needs and minimal space preemption
- No production in or near residential areas
- Potential production near major natural gas markets. For example, there is a natural gas discovery in the Atlantic approximately 100 miles southeast of the New York City area. (Before my geologist friends get upset, I will point out that the productive reservoirs are highly complex and further exploration is necessary to determine whether this field – the former Hudson Canyon Unit – and other Atlantic prospects are commercially viable.)
- Potential for combining offshore gas and wind projects into offshore energy units that can ensure consistent power supply. (See slide below from a presentation by George Hagerman, Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute)
Posted in energy, gas, natural gas, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged green vehicles, natural gas, offshore gas, shale gas, transportation | Leave a Comment »
March 2, 2011 by offshoreenergy
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) has initiated an investigation following an incident in connection with a lifting operation on the Gullfaks A facility on 28 February 2011.
See the full PSA announcement
Comment: PSA is applauded for their transparency in reporting accidents. When every regulator, operator, and contractor routinely posts accident information on their home page, we will have made a major step forward in collectively improving the safety culture and preventing future incidents.
Posted in accidents, Norway | Tagged Gullfaks, lifting, Norway, safety, safety culture | 1 Comment »
March 2, 2011 by offshoreenergy
From PSA’s recent Safety Forum:
Over the last few years, there have been a great number of incidents in the industry related to loss of position, including dynamic positioning. A project has been started under the direction of the rig industry and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association in order to reduce the number of serious anchoring incidents on the Norwegian shelf.
The project, which is being led by an Anchoring forum, has an ambition of a 75 percent reduction in serious anchoring incidents on the Norwegian shelf by 2010, compared with 2006. A status report will be given regarding goal achievement at the next Safety Forum meeting.
Given the US experience with hurricane mooring issues, the recent Gryphon Alpha incident, and other station keeping failures around the world, this is an excellent opportunity for international cooperation.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
March 1, 2011 by offshoreenergy
Rep. Tim Murphy’s (R-Pa.) bill states that companies with drilling permits approved before early May 2010 can proceed with exploration or production “without further review” by the Interior Department, and “without further review or delay” under various environmental laws. The Hill.com
Posted in drilling, Offshore Energy - General, Regulation | Tagged Deepwater Horizon, drilling, Gulf of Mexico, House of Representatives, macondo, safety, Tim Murphy | Leave a Comment »
March 1, 2011 by offshoreenergy
GAO’s report entitled “Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue” has just been released. The report identifies $billions in potential savings that could be realized by reducing program duplication.
Comments:
- Not only could taxpayer dollars be saved by reducing overlap and duplication, but greater efficiencies and safety benefits would be achieved. As BOE has frequently noted, a single agency should be responsible and accountable for safety and pollution prevention at offshore facilities. For regulators, “overlap means underlap.” Important issues are sure to be overlooked, misunderstood, or confused. Jurisdictional redundancy inevitably results in unnecessary complexity, and regulatory and industry personnel are required to spend too much time resolving and coordinating administrative and procedural matters. This time would be better spent focusing on mission critical safety issues.
- Much of the duplication among agencies is the result of the overlapping responsibilities of congressional committees, complex and poorly crafted legislation, and insufficient emphasis on function-based management.
- Program savings achieved by one government unit are immediately absorbed by another, discouraging cost-effective management practices. Senior and mid-level Federal managers should be able to transfer savings directly to a debt reduction fund that cannot be used for any other purpose. Federal managers should receive positive recognition for savings and efficiency, not criticism or immediate budget reductions.
Posted in Regulation | Tagged GAO, government waste, Regulation, safety | Leave a Comment »
March 1, 2011 by offshoreenergy
From Platts Oilgram News:
The well had previously been drilled to a depth of 13,585 feet at the time of the moratorium, Noble said. Drilling is expected to resume in late March, targeting total drilling depth of about 19,000 feet, Noble said. Results are expected by the end of May. Noble said it will use the Ensco 8501 rig for the project.
Ensco 8501
Posted in drilling, Offshore Energy - General | Tagged Deepwater, Ensco, Gulf of Mexico, Noble | Leave a Comment »
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