Lessons Learned in the Planning and Drilling of Deep, Subsalt Wells in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Whitson ◽  
Michael K. McFadyen
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Lessons Learned

Lessons learned from data-limited evaluations of data-rich reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico: implications for providing fisheries management advice for data-poor stocks

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1624-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Skyler R. Sagarese ◽  
William J. Harford ◽  
John F. Walter ◽  
Meaghan D. Bryan ◽  
J. Jeffery Isely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Data Limitations ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Reef Fish Species

Specifying annual catch limits for artisanal fisheries, low economic value stocks, or bycatch species is problematic due to data limitations. Many empirical management procedures (MPs) have been developed that provide catch advice based on achieving a stable catch or a historical target (i.e., instead of maximum sustainable yield). However, a thorough comparison of derived yield streams between empirical MPs and stock assessment models has not been explored. We first evaluate trade-offs in conservation and yield metrics for data-limited approaches through management strategy evaluation (MSE) of seven data-rich reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico. We then apply data-limited approaches for each species and compare how catch advice differs from current age-based assessment models. MSEs identified empirical MPs (e.g., using relative abundance) as a compromise between data requirements and the ability to consistently achieve management objectives (e.g., prevent overfishing). Catch advice differed greatly among data-limited approaches and current assessments, likely due to data inputs and assumptions. Adaptive MPs become clearly viable options that can achieve management objectives while incorporating auxiliary data beyond catch-only approaches.

Pushing the Limits in Offshore Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Hugo Vizcarra Marin ◽  
Alex Ngan ◽  
Roberto Pineda ◽  
Juan Carlos Gomez ◽  
Jose Antonio Becerra
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Directional Drilling ◽  
Case Histories ◽  
Control Plan ◽  
Drilling Performance ◽  
Drilling Parameters ◽  
Drilling Engineering

Abstract Given the increased demands on the production of hydrocarbons and cost-effectiveness for the Operator's development wells, the industry is challenged to continually explore new technology and methodology to improve drilling performance and operational efficiency. In this paper, two recent case histories showcase the technology, drilling engineering, and real-time optimization that resulted in record drilling times. The wells are located on shallow water in the Gulf of Mexico, with numerous drilling challenges, which typically resulted in significant Non-Productive Time (NPT). Through close collaboration with the Operator, early planning with a clear understanding of offset wells challenges, well plan that minimize drilling in the Upper Cretaceous "Brecha" Formation were formulated. The well plan was also designed to reduce the risk of stuck pipe while meeting the requirements to penetrate the geological targets laterally to increase the area of contact in the reservoir section. This project encapsulates the successful application of the latest Push-the-Bit Rotary Steerable System (RSS) with borehole enlargement technology through a proven drilling engineering process to optimize the drilling bottomhole assembly, bit selection, drilling parameters, and real-time monitoring & optimization The records drilling times in the two case histories can be replicated and further improved. A list of lessons learned and recommendations for the future wells are discussed. These include the well trajectory planning, directional drilling BHA optimization, directional control plan, drilling parameters to optimize hole cleaning, and downhole shocks & vibrations management during drilling and underreaming operation to increase the drilling performance ultimately. Also, it includes a proposed drilling blueprint to continually push the limit of incremental drilling performance through the use of RSS with hydraulics drilling reamers through the Jurassic-age formations in shallow waters, Gulf of Mexico.

COMBINING MODELING WITH RESPONSE IN POTENTIAL DEEP WELL BLOWOUT: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THUNDER HORSE1

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 719-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJ Beegle-Krause ◽  
Walton (Tad) Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Missing Data ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Deep Well ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health And Safety Issues

ABSTRACT In May of 2003 a drilling riser break at a BP development well in 6015 feet (1875 m) of water in the Gulf of Mexico initiated a dialog between BP responders and NOAA/HAZMAT modelers about the potential consequences of a deep well blowout. Human health and safety issues were the key concern for BP responders, particularly those planning potential on water operations. Where might the gas surface? Would the natural gas (propane and methane) at the water's surface pose an explosion or asphyxiation hazard? Was there a potential for the gas bubbles to sink any of the response vessels? These discussions did not have as cut-and-dry answers as either BP or NOAA would have preferred. During the planning for BP's attempt to bring the well back into operation, the General NOAA Oil Modeling Environment (GNOME) with the Clarkson Deep Oil and Gas model (CDOG, Zheng et al 2003, Chen and Yapa 2003 and Yapa and Cheng 2004) were run. The data required for modeling a deep spill is more extensive then for a surface oil trajectory and was the subject of much discussion between BP responders and NOAA/HAZMAT. As a result, NOAA/HAZMAT created a data summary request sheet (Appendix 1) to guide the BP responders in what data was needed, and provided a point of discussion for implications of missing data.

scholarly journals Current and Proposed Efforts to Resolve HSPD-5 and NCP Authorities (NIC and PFO)

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
LCDR John LaMorte ◽  
LT Rebecca Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
National Guard ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Oil Well ◽  
Environmental Disasters ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Oil Rig ◽  
Exercise And Training

ABSTRACT During the evening of 20 April, 2010 U.S. Coast Guard District Eight Command Center watch standers received a report of an explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon (DWH), an oil rig working on the Macondo oil well approximately 42 miles Southeast of Venice, LA (OSC Report, 2011). The explosion on board the DWH and resulting fires eventually destroyed the oil rig and caused it to sink into the Gulf of Mexico. Eleven crewmembers lost their lives in the tragic events that unfolded that night, and one of the nation's largest environmental disasters would soon follow. Estimates of the oil discharged from the Macondo oil well were between 12,000 and 25,000 barrels per day, and the response involved approximately 47,000 oil spill response personnel, 6,870 vessels, approximately 4.12 million feet of boom, and 17,500 National Guard personnel, five states (OSC Report, 2011). The massive oil spill lasted 87 days and estimates suggest that more than 200 million gallons of oil was discharged into the Gulf of Mexico, which stands as the largest oil spill event in U.S. history. From these massive response operations came important lessons learned for SONS event planning, preparedness, and response, as it became apparent during DWH response operations that oil spill response governance and doctrine was not well understood across the whole-of-government. This issue was well documented in the National Incident Commander's report and several recommendations were identified to address this issue. This paper will explore the steps taken within the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) SONS Exercise and Training Program to promote a better understanding of oil spill response governance and doctrine among Cabinet-level senior leadership and the interagency representatives that will ultimately be involved when the next SONS event happens.

REVIEW OF DISPERSANT USE IN U.S. GULF OF MEXICO WATERS SINCE THE OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 439-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Henry
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Contingency Planning ◽  
Monitoring Plan ◽  
Response Team ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT Since the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), dispersants have been used as part of a combined response to mitigate seven oil spills in United States Gulf of Mexico (GOM) waters. Of the dispersant operations reported, four utilized the Regional Response Team VI pre-approval authority to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) that requires a monitoring plan. The successful integration of dispersant pre-authorization along with a fully funded ready response delivery system maintained by industry contributed to the successful use of dispersants to aid in mitigating spilled oil. A key element to gaining the original pre-approval authority was a functional operational monitoring plan. While each response was considered a successful dispersant operation, each incident provided valuable lessons learned that have been integrated into subsequent contingency planning and modifications to existing pre-authorization requirements in the GOM. This paper provides a chronological review of oil spill responses where dispersants were applied in the GOM since OPA 90.

LONG-TERM MONITORING OF SUBMERGED OIL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO FOLLOWING THE T/B DBL 152 INCIDENT

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Pfeifer ◽  
Erik Brzozowski ◽  
Ralph Markarian ◽  
Ramsey Redman
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Fate And Transport ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring

ABSTRACT In November 2005, approximately 1.9 million gallons of Group V slurry oil was released in the western Gulf of Mexico following the allision of the double-hulled tank barge DBL 152 with the submerged remains of a pipeline service platform that collapsed during Hurricane Rita. The released oil was denser than seawater and sank to the bottom. After approximately six weeks of intermittent cleanup using diver-direct pumping, submerged oil recovery operations were suspended by the Unified Command based on the high percentage (50%) of weather-related downtime, as well as indications that recoverable accumulations of oil were dispersing naturally, which further reduced the feasibility of cleanup. However, the responsible party was required to develop and implement a long-term monitoring program (LTMP) to track the fate and transport of the sunken oil and determine the potential need for resuming oil recovery operations once more favorable weather patterns returned in the spring. This paper will present an overview of the approach, methods and results of the long-term monitoring efforts performed over a 14-month period following the incident. Major objectives of the LTMP included tracking the movement and fate of non-recovered submerged oil to assess its extent and continued dispersion; providing advance warning of potential impacts to Gulf Coast shorelines and other sensitive areas; and documenting changes in the oil'S chemical composition and physical properties through time due to weathering processes. Major findings of the LTMP include the dissipation of the main submerged oil field over the course of several months and the discovery, differential behavior and eventual dissipation of a discrete high-concentration oil patch found several miles from the incident location. The importance of long-term monitoring data in the decision-making process to determine both the need for and feasibility of resuming submerged oil recovery operations will be emphasized. Information on the fate and transport characteristics of submerged oil and the adaptation of monitoring techniques to address evolving needs will also be addressed. Both the incident-specific information and the practical lessons-learned are intended to benefit those who may be faced with monitoring submerged oil spills in the future.

A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR LOCATING, TRACKING AND QUANTIFYING SUBMERGED OIL USED DURING THE T/B DBL 152 INCIDENT

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramsey Redman ◽  
Chris Pfeifer ◽  
Erik Brzozowski ◽  
Ralph Markarian
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Comparison Of Methods ◽  
Underwater Video ◽  
Side Scan Sonar ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring

ABSTRACT A variety of methods and equipment were employed during the response and long-term monitoring phases of the DBL 152 incident to locate, track and quantify the nearly 2 million gallons of low-API gravity oil that sank in the western Gulf of Mexico approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Cameron, Louisiana. Methods and equipment used to survey submerged oil included: divers; stationary snare sentinels; chain-weighted snare drags using devices known as vessel-submerged oil recovery systems or V-SORS; remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), underwater video drop camera, sled-mounted towed video, side-scan sonar and Rox-Ann sonar. This paper will describe each method and associated equipment and its specific application to submerged oil detection and assessment for this incident. It will also explore the evolution and refinement of approaches used throughout the course of the response and the underlying rationale for these changes. Guidelines and relevant considerations for selecting among these methods will be suggested. Finally, strengths and limitations of each approach will be discussed with the goal of capturing and communicating the lessons learned so that future submerged oil response efforts may benefit from the practical experience gained during the DBL 152 response.

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