In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, industry continues to assess the damage to oil and gas infrastructure on the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico.

Preliminary reports show that few of the 4,000 platforms or the 117 rigs working in the Gulf sustained major damage. Of the 33,000 miles of pipeline, only three leaks have been reported, and most of the 25,000 to 30,000 workers involved in the production of offshore oil and natural gas are back at work.

Preliminary assessments of major damage reported by industry indicate the following:

5    Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU) were adrift.  All have been located.  One MODU was reported to be leaning about 3 degrees.  Companies are in the process of reoccupying these facilities to assess the damage onsite. 

4    Fixed platforms are reported missing (presumed sunk).

1    Fixed platform is reported as leaning.

1    Rig installed on a SPAR is missing.

1    Platform rig derrick was seen leaning over the edge of the SPAR on which it was installed.

1    Spar with extensive topside damage.

1    MODU  with extensive damage.

1    Platform with extensive topside damage

3    Pipelines leaks were reported  – 1 resulted in a fire which is now burned out.

Damage inspections will continue, including underwater searches, which may reveal additional impacts.

We have no reports of any injuries, fatalities or significant pollution to date.

The Minerals Management Service is the federal agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages the nation’s oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf in Federal offshore waters.  The agency also collects, accounts for, and disburses mineral revenues from Federal and American Indian lands.  MMS disbursed more than $8 billion in FY 2003 and more than $135 billion since the agency was created in 1982.  Nearly $1 billion from those revenues go into the Land and Water Conservation Fund annually for the acquisition and development of state and Federal park and recreation lands.

MMS Main Website 

www.mms.gov