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MMS: 52 production platforms, 3 jackups, 1 platform drilling rig destroyed by Ike

Number of Destroyed
Platforms as of 9/23/08
Classified by Daily
Oil Production Rates
 47  Less than 1,000 barrels per day
 5  1,000 to 5,000 barrels per day
 0  Greater than 5,000 barrels per day

Damage reports: Damage reports have been defined by the estimated time required to make repairs. Repairs and resumption of production from facilities with minor damage can be expected to occur in less than one month. Examples include missing heliport skirting, missing hand rails and pieces of grating or damaged boat landings.

As of 23 September 2008, MMS had received reports indicating that 29 platforms sustained extensive damage that may take up to six months to repair. Examples include underwater structural damage or major damage to pipelines carrying oil or natural gas to shore.

Additional reports show that 33 platforms received moderate damage that would take up to three months before production can be restored. This includes major topside damage to critical process equipment such as the platform’s compressor or damaged risers or flex joints where pipelines connect to the platforms.

In respect to rig damage, MMS has confirmed a report of one jackup with extensive damage.

Pipeline assessments: To date, MMS has received reports of six gas transmission pipeline systems with damage. Analysis of the impact that this damage may have on resuming production is under way. Operators have begun to test and inspect other pipeline systems. Considering the size of the impacted area, inspections will take some time to be completed.

Sheen/spill observations: Visual inspections of sheens/spills are being conducted as reports are received. There was one report of a release totaling 200 bbl of oil during the hurricane event. Upon investigation, no sheen was observed. It is expected that the oil dissipated through the course of the hurricane. MMS will compile and release sheen reports upon completion of the reporting and confirmation process. There have been no reports of oil impacting the shoreline or affecting birds and wildlife from releases in the Gulf of Mexico federal waters.

Resuming production: Production from the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 25% of the oil produced domestically and 15% of the natural gas produced domestically. As of June 2008, daily production estimates for the Gulf of Mexico were 1.3 million barrels of oil and 7.0 billion cu ft of gas. Since that time, gas production from the Independence Hub facility increased and in August 2008 gas production from the Gulf was estimated at 7.4 billion cu ft of gas per day.

Tools that can be used to assist in resuming production include barging, temporary flaring and re-routing of product through other pipelines. Use of these tools requires that offshore operators submit requests to MMS for approval.

Districts

 

Lake
Jackson

Lake
Charles

Lafayette

Houma

New
Orleans

Total

Platforms
Evacuated

15

48

56

33

27

179

Rigs
Evacuated

0

1

1

0

1

3

 

Oil, BOPD
Shut-in

22,832

22,765

117,382

279,990

327,439

770,408

Gas,

MMCF/D

Shut-in

529

634

817

804

1,391

4,175

Reboarding platforms/rigs

Offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico are reboarding platforms and rigs and restoring production following Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike.

MMS has recalculated the number of manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico since 23 manned platforms have been confirmed destroyed from Hurricane Ike. Out of a total of 694 manned platforms and based on data from operator reports submitted as of 11:30 am CDT on 25 September, personnel are evacuated from a total of 179 production platforms, equivalent to 25.8% of the 694 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

Allowing for the number of rigs destroyed or severely damaged as a result of Hurricane Ike, the total number of rigs currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico is 116. This number was used to calculate the percentage of rigs evacuated. Personnel from three rigs are evacuated, equivalent to 2.6% of the 116 rigs currently operating in the Gulf.

From operators’ reports, it is estimated that approximately 59.3% of oil production in the Gulf is shut in. As of June 2008, estimated oil production from the Gulf of Mexico is 1.3 million bbl of oil per day. It is also estimated that approximately 56.4% of the natural gas production in the Gulf is shut in. As of June 2008, estimated natural gas production from the Gulf of Mexico was 7 billion cu ft of gas per day. Since that time, gas production from the Independence Hub facility has increased and current gas production from the Gulf is estimated at 7.4 billion cu ft of gas per day.

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