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, thirteen 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.
7 Fixed platforms have been destroyed.
1 Fixed platform is reported as leaning.
1 Rig derrick installed on a SPAR is missing.
1 Platform rig derrick was seen leaning over the edge of the SPAR
on which it was installed.
2 Spars with extensive damage.
1 MODU with extensive damage.
4 Platforms with extensive damage
13 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.
Relevant Web Sites:
MMS Main Website
Gulf of Mexico Website