Category Archives: offshore oil

energy policy, fossil fuels, national ocean politics, offshore oil, oil pollution

EPA notice on rules for confidentiality on GHG emissions from oil and gas operations:

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EPA reporting

public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-04408.pdf

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing revisions and confidentiality determinations for the
petroleum and natural gas systems source category and the general provisions of the Greenhouse
Gas Reporting Rule. In particular, the EPA is proposing to revise certain calculation methods,
amend certain monitoring and data reporting requirements, clarify certain terms and definitions,
and correct certain technical and editorial errors that have been identified during the course of
implementation. This action also proposes confidentiality determinations for new or substantially
revised data elements contained in these proposed amendments, as well as proposes a revised
confidentiality determination for one existing data element.

Special thanks to Richard Charter

BP Spill, fossil fuels, gulf of mexico clean-up, Gulf restoration, marine pollution, ocean pollution, offshore oil, oil pollution

WLOX: Florida files suit against BP related to 2010 Gulf oil spill

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http://www.wlox.com/

Posted: Mar 06, 2014 12:01 PM EST Updated: Mar 06, 2014 12:01 PM EST

PANAMA CITY, FL (AP) – Florida has joined a multi-state lawsuit stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, seeking to hold British oil company BP accountable for damage to the state’s natural resources.

The complaint was filed Wednesday in Panama City federal court by the state’s secretary of environmental protection and the head of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

It’s separate from a lawsuit Florida’s attorney general filed against BP last year over economic losses related to the worst offshore oil spill in US history.

Along with BP, the new complaint lists minority partner Anadarko and rig owner Transocean as defendants responsible for harm the spill caused to Florida’s ecosystems and wildlife.

BP spokesman Geoff Morrell said the company is reviewing Florida’s lawsuit and continues to evaluate potential spill-related environmental damage.

Special thanks to Richard Charter

energy policy, fossil fuels, gulf of mexico clean-up, Gulf restoration, offshore oil

The Advocate: Committee being formed to promote Gulf drilling

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http://theadvocate.com/news/business/8549424-123/committee-being-formed-to-promote

Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Advocate staff report

A new offshore committee is being formed by the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association to promote energy production and responsible development of energy resources in the Gulf of Mexico.

The initiative will be coordinated by consultant Lori LeBlanc, of Lori LeBlanc LLC in Thibodaux, association Chairman Jim Hutchison said. LeBlanc served as deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources from 2008 to 2010.
She became executive director of the Gulf Economic Survival Team, which was formed in June 2010 to push for a full return to energy production in the Gulf after a drilling moratorium resulted from the BP disaster.

“The Gulf is America’s energy workhorse, and its economic impacts are astounding,” Hutchison said. “Thirty percent of our nation’s domestic oil is produced in the Gulf of Mexico and energy activity in the Gulf contributes $5 (billion) to $8 billion per year to the U.S. Treasury.” The economic impact in Louisiana is $44.3 billion, he said. “To continue this great success story, it’s imperative that we increase our outreach efforts with federal leaders and have a seat at the table when key policy decisions are being made,” Hutchison said.

“Lori LeBlanc has had great success working with federal leaders on regulatory issues and promoting energy production in the Gulf as part of the Gulf Economic Survival Team, and we are very pleased to have her on board to lead this exciting effort for our group,” association President Chris John said.

The offshore committee will focus on policy, partnership, public input and positive communication in support of oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. Activities will include developing and maintaining relationships with federal policymakers and members of Congress. monitoring and commenting on federal rules that affect Gulf development, collaborating with members, other trade associations and other Gulf Coast states on energy policy initiatives and communicating the significance of Gulf energy production to the nation’s economy and energy supply.

Targeted policy issues may include the Rigs to Reef program, national ocean policy, effects of new mitigation requirements, outer-continental-shelf lease sales, revenue sharing, and industry safety and technology. The committee also will maintain LMOGA’s involvement in Louisiana’s coastal restoration and protection efforts.

Special thanks to Richard Charter

offshore oil

DECOM: Innovator platform in Gomez field successfully decommissioned

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http://social.decomworld.com/projects-and-technologies/innovator-platform-gomez-field-successfully-decommissioned?utm_source=http%3a%2f%2fuk.decomworld.com%2ffc_nei_decomlz%2f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Decomworld+e-brief+0503&utm_term=%0D%0DTurn+offshore+platforms+into+fish+farms%2c+urges+Malaysian+academic+%0D%0D+&utm_content=234364

6th Annual Decommissioning & Abandonment Summit

10/03/2014 – 12/03/2014

Discover cutting-edge approaches for reducing offshore liability to deliver more timely, cost-effective and safer decommissioning projects

By Rod Sweet on Mar 5, 2014

Platform was the first permanent SEPLA mooring and the third permanent polyester mooring system in the Gulf of Mexico.

Acteon’s subsidiary InterMoor has successfully decommissioned the Innovator platform in Gomez field, Mississippi Canyon Block 711, Gulf of Mexico.

The scope of work, conducted in water depths of 910 m, involved disconnecting 10 risers/umbilicals; disconnecting 12 mooring lines and then towing the Innovator to Ingleside, Texas.

InterMoor developed special procedures for disconnection and towing, procured rigging and tow equipment for all vessels including the Anchor Handling Vessel (AHV), FPU and tug vessels, and provided personnel.

InterMoor’s involvement with the Innovator platform dates prior to 2006 when it was a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) known as the Rowan Midland.

At that time, the MODU was being converted by ATP to a production platform, and InterMoor provided the mooring design, project management, procurement, installation and hook-up of the mooring system.

The 12-leg mooring system consisted of suction embedded plate anchors (SEPLA), stud link chain, subsea connectors and polyester mooring ropes. At the time it was only the third permanent polyester mooring system in the Gulf of Mexico, and the first permanent SEPLA mooring.

In 2011 InterMoor provided mooring line inspection, change-out of all rig wires, and upgrading five of the mooring legs.

InterMoor says the success of the decommissioning programme resulted from its detailed understanding of the Innovator platform’s mooring system.

Tom Fulton, InterMoor president, said, “At a time when many operators are looking at life-of-field solutions, we are proud to have played a role at crucial times throughout the development and decommissioning of this offshore asset.”
– See more at: http://social.decomworld.com/projects-and-technologies/innovator-platform-gomez-field-successfully-decommissioned?utm_source=http%3a%2f%2fuk.decomworld.com%2ffc_nei_decomlz%2f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Decomworld+e-brief+0503&utm_term=%0d%0dTurn+offshore+platforms+into+fish+farms%2c+urges+Malaysian+academic+%0d%0d+&utm_content=234364#sthash.vSDlNDQ5.esmprTxk.dpuf

fossil fuels, offshore oil

Turn offshore platforms into fish farms, urges Malaysian academic

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http://social.decomworld.com/projects-and-technologies/turn-offshore-platforms-fish-farms-urges-malaysian-academic?utm_source=http%3a%2f%2fuk.decomworld.com%2ffc_nei_decomlz%2f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Decomworld+e-brief+0503&utm_term=%0D%0DTurn+offshore+platforms+into+fish+farms%2c+urges+Malaysian+academic+%0D%0D+&utm_content=234364

By Rod Sweet on Mar 5, 2014

Oil and gas platforms in Malaysia could be used for deep-sea fish farming, giving companies an alternative to decommissioning, says a Malaysian academic.

By Ayshe Ismail

Dr. Sharul Sham Dol, head of mechanical engineering at Curtin Sarawak’s School of Engineering and Science, said his team is working on a project to “breathe new life” into disused platforms by turning them into mariculture facilities for deep-sea fish farming.

Most offshore oil and gas platforms in Malaysia are built to last for approximately 25 to 30 years and decommissioning activity is expected to rise because 600 of the 900 now there are over 20 years old.

Writing in the Borneo Post, he said oil companies are keen to find alternative options for platforms as the cost for decommissioning a medium-sized structure is approximately $3m.

The idea is that the platform would be used as an operational hub for fish-farming facilities and crew. The structure itself would be used as an anchor for mooring cages and nets, and as a hatchery.

Dr. Dol said he hopes to collaborate with oil and gas companies, and aquaculture and mariculture businesses, to develop the idea.
– See more at: http://social.decomworld.com/projects-and-technologies/turn-offshore-platforms-fish-farms-urges-malaysian-academic?utm_source=http%3a%2f%2fuk.decomworld.com%2ffc_nei_decomlz%2f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Decomworld+e-brief+0503&utm_term=%0d%0dTurn+offshore+platforms+into+fish+farms%2c+urges+Malaysian+academic+%0d%0d+&utm_content=234364#sthash.1a9p5p7V.Tcp2RRkW.dpuf