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Gulf of Mexico Region

Spills ≥ 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons)2004 - Hurricane Ivan

The next 15 summaries are related to Hurricane Ivan, which made landfall near Mobile, AL on September 15, 2004.

Formal investigations were not conducted. Hurricane Ivan pollution volumes are generally operators' estimates of petroleum products (and in some cases chemicals) stored in/on structure prior to storm which had not been recovered as of Spring 2006. Some of these products may have been subsequently recovered.

September 15, 2004 - Shell Pipe Line Company

Pollution: 671 bbl Crude Oi/ Condensate: 671 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G02951
Block: 151 Distance to Shore: 6 Miles
Platform: None Water Depth: 200 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 13543 Pipeline Diameter: 18 Inches

Remarks: The 18-inch Shell Nakika Pipeline oil pipeline segment #13543 was parted by extreme forces from Hurricane Ivan at Main Pass 151 causing an instantaneous release of 671 barrels of crude oil.


 September 15, 2004 – Shell Offshore Inc.

Pollution: 52 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: None
Refined Petroleum: 52 bbl Diesel Oil Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G07824
Block: 252 Distance to Shore: 57 Miles
Platform: Platform A - Bud Water Depth: 277 Feet

Remarks: The sight glass was broken on the diesel oil storage tank on the Main Pass 252A fixed platform during Hurricane Ivan releasing an estimated 52 barrels of diesel oil.


 September 15, 2004 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

Pollution: 55.3 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: None
Refined Petroleum: 55.3 bbl Diesel Oil IN 79 bbl of 70% OBM Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G16515
Block: 280 Distance to Shore: 80
Platform/Rig: Well #6 / ENSCO 64 Water Depth: 302

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, the Ensco 64 jack-up rig's legs were sheared causing the barge to collapse and become adrift in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig was recovered listing 3 degrees with the derrick collapsed on the living quarters in Mississippi Canyon 474 about 40 miles south of the rig's original location in Main Pass 280 and secured with tugs. When the rig and BOP's bent the well over, approximately 79 barrels of diesel oil based drilling mud (OBM) was released. Approximately 55.3 barrels (70%) of the mud were diesel oil.


 September 15, 2004 – Noble Drilling Exploration Company

Pollution: 280.4 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 133 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: 102 bbl Diesel Oil & 29 bbl Other Refined Oil Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: 6 bbl Glycol
1 bbl Methanol
9.4 bbl Other Chemicals
Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G21712
Block: 293 Distance to Shore: 37 Miles
Platform: Platform A Water Depth: 305 Feet

Remarks: After Hurricane Ivan, Noble Energy's 4-pile fixed platform at Main Pass 293A was found to be missing. Noble Energy estimated 280.36 barrels of oil and chemicals were lost with the platform itself. The crude oil estimates was based on 100 barrels in two 50 barrels stock tanks, 20 barrels in the FWKO (free water knock out), 12 barrels in the separators, and 1 barrels in the sump tank. The diesel oil was based on a 100 barrels tank and two barrels in the crane diesel tank. The 29 barrels of other refined oil were estimated to have been in the transporter, two generators, the crane, and the compressor. There were 4 barrels of glycol in the glycol unit and glycol contactor, and two drums of glycol. There was one drum of methanol. The other 9.4 barrels of chemicals were two drums each of DMO-100, RBW-50B, FLW-109, and X-Cide 120; one drum of SRW-4808 S-10; and three 5-gallon buckets of Anderol.

NRC Report: 735336


 September 15, 2004 – Noble Drilling Exploration Company

Pollution: 126 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 126 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G21712
Block: 293 Distance to Shore: 37 Miles
Platform: Platform A Water Depth: 305 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 2706 Pipeline Diameter: 6 Inches

Remarks: After Hurricane Ivan, Noble Energy's Platform A at Main Pass 293 was found to be missing. The estimated loss from the 6-inch departing oil pipeline segment #2706 was 126 barrels crude oil.

NRC Report: 735336


 September 15, 2004 – Noble Drilling Exploration Company

Pollution: 118.2 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 77 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: 21 bbl Diesel Oil
8 bbl Other Refined Oil
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: 2 bbl Glycol
1 bbl Methanol
9.2 bbl Other Chemicals
Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G01676
Block: 305 Distance to Shore: 26 Miles
Platform: Platform C Water Depth: 244 Feet

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, Noble Energy's 8-pile fixed platform at Main Pass 305C was completely destroyed. Noble Energy estimated 118.24 barrels of oil and chemicals were lost with the platform itself. The crude oil estimate was based on a 50 barrels stock tank, 20 barrels in the FWKO (free water knock out), 6 barrels in the separators, and 1 barrels in the sump tank. The diesel oil was based on a 20 barrels tank and one barrels in the crane diesel tank. The 8 barrels of other refined oil were estimated to have been in the crane, two generators, and the compressor. There were two drums of glycol and one drum of methanol. The other 9.2 barrels of chemicals were one drum of PAO-10X, three drums of PAO-23X, one drum of X-Cide 120, two drums of DMO-9507U, two drums of Tellus32, and two 5-gallon buckets of Anderol.

NRC Report: 735336


 September 15, 2004 – Noble Drilling Exploration Company

Pollution: 200 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 200 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G01676
Block: 305 Distance to Shore: 26 Miles
Platform: Platform C Water Depth: 244 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 2808 Pipeline Diameter: 8 Inch

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, Noble Energy's Platform C at Main Pass 305 was completely destroyed. The estimated loss from the 7,834 foot long 8-inch departing oil pipeline segment #2808 to platform Baker is estimated at 200 barrels crude oil.

NRC Report: 735336


 September 15, 2004 – Noble Drilling Exploration Company

Pollution: 76.5 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 27 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: 21 bbl Diesel Oil
18 bbl Other Refined Oil
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: 10.5 bbl Soap, Glycol, Methanol & Other Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G01677
Block: 306 Distance to Shore: 29 Miles
Platform: Platform E Water Depth: 255 Feet

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, Noble Energy's 8-pile fixed platform at Main Pass 306E was completely destroyed. Noble Energy estimated 76.5 barrels of oil and chemicals were lost with the platform itself. The crude oil estimate was based on 20 barrels in the FWKO (free water knock out), 6 barrels in the separators, and 1 barrel in the sump tank. The diesel oil was based on a 20 barrel tank and one barrel in the crane diesel tank. The 18 barrel of other refined oil were estimated to have been in the transporters, the crane, two generators, and the compressor. There were six drums of Transporter D-5 Soap, one drum of glycol, and one drum of methanol (each drum held 1 barrel). The other 2.5 barrels of chemicals were two drums of X-Cide 120, and three 5-gallon buckets of Anderol.

NRC Report: 735336


 September 15, 2004 – Noble Drilling Exploration Company

Pollution: 260 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 260 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G01677
Block: 306 Distance to Shore: 29 Miles
Platform: Platform E Water Depth: 255 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 4598 Pipeline Diameter: 8 Inch

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, Noble Energy's Platform E at Main Pass 306 was completely destroyed. The estimated loss from segment #4598, the 4,845 foot long 8-inch departing oil pipeline to Delta was 260 barrels of crude oil.

NRC Report: 735336


 September 15, 2004 – Noble Drilling Exploration Company

Pollution: 250 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 250 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Main Pass Lease: G01677
Block: 306 Distance to Shore: 29 Miles
Platform: Platform E Water Depth: 255 Feet
Pipeline Segment # 5788 Pipeline Diameter 6 Inch

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, Noble Energy's Platform E at Main Pass 306 was completely destroyed. The estimated loss from segment #5788, the 8,500 foot long 6-inch incoming oil pipeline from platform Fox, was 250 barrels of crude oil.

NRC Report: 735336


 September 15, 2004 – Taylor Energy Company

Pollution: 624.1 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 410.2 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: 55 bbl Diesel Oil
24 bbl Jet Fuel
20.9 bbl Other Refined Petroleum
Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: 64.3 bbl Glycol
20.9 bbl Water Clarifier
13 bbl Acid
15.8 bbl Other Chemicals
Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Mississippi Canyon Lease: G04935
Block: 20 Distance to Shore: 19 Miles
Platform: Platform A Water Depth: 479 Feet

Remarks: Taylor Energy's 8-pile fixed platform at Mississippi Canyon 20A was completely destroyed as a result of a mud flow incident during Hurricane Ivan. After Hurricane Ivan, the platform was found to be lying on its side, partially buried in soil, approximately 800 feet from its original location. Taylor Energy estimated 611.1 barrels of oil and chemicals that were likely inside the vessels and equipment when the platform toppled totaled to 611.1 barrels. The crude oil 410.18 barrel estimate was based on 197 barrels in the emulsion treater, 180 barrels in the wet/dry tank, and 33.2 barrels in the separators and skimmer. The 55 barrels of diesel oil were estimated to be in the platform leg, crane engine and diesel generator. The 24 barrels of Jet Fuel were estimated to be in the 1000 gallon transporter. The 15.6 barrels of engine oil, 2.9 barrels of hydraulic fluid, and 2.4 barrels of gear oil were estimated to be in engines, pumps and transporter. The estimated 114.0 barrels of chemicals were: 64.3 barrels glycol in the reboiler, separator, contactor, scrubber, and glycol storage tank; and 20.9 barrels water clarifier, 13 barrels acid, 7.9 barrels demulsifier, and 7.9 barrels scale inhibitor in tote tanks.

NRC Report: 735409


 September 15, 2004 – Taylor Energy Company

Pollution: 1,720 bbl (worst case estimate) Crude Oil/ Condensate: 1,720 bbl (worst case estimate) Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: Mississippi Canyon Lease: G04935
Block: 20 Distance to Shore: 19 Miles
Platform: Platform A Water Depth: 479 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 7296 Pipeline Diameter: 6 Inches

Remarks: The 11,119 foot long 6-inch pipeline segment #7296 at Taylor Energy's Mississippi Canyon 20 Platform A at was partially buried by the same mud flow as destroyed the platform. As of March 2005, Taylor Energy was able to verify that the pipeline is still holding. It is estimated that there is a maximum of 1,720 barrels dehydrated crude oil in the buried segments (which is the worst case spill estimate) which could be released as a result of the mudslide and/or during the recovery of the pipeline. A revised, more accurate (and possibly greatly reduced) estimate of oil released will not be available until the pipeline is fully decommissioned. As of July 2007, Taylor Energy has had to continue to postpone further efforts to evacuate the pipeline until excavations to locate and secure the wells associated with the lost platform have been completed.

NRC Report: 735409


 September 23, 2004 – Shell Offshore Inc.

Pollution: 95 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 95 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: South Pass Lease: G02137
Block 60 Distance to Shore: 4 Miles
Platform: Platform A Water Depth: 185 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 4715 Pipeline Diameter: 8 Inch

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, the 17,609 foot lone 8-inch pipeline segment #4715 near SP Platform A was severed causing an instantaneous release of approximately 95 barrels of crude oil.


 September 25, 2004 – Chevron Pipe Line Company

Pollution: 123 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: 123 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: None Event/Cause: Hurricane Ivan Pollution
Area: South Pass Lease: G02177
Block: 49 Distance to Shore: 12 Miles
Platform: Platform A Water Depth: 300 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 5625 Pipeline Diameter: 10 Inch

Remarks: During Hurricane Ivan, the 10-inch 5,500 foot long pipeline segment #5625 which transports crude oil from SP49A to the Shell SP24 Onshore Terminal parted at the safety joint at the base of the riser at SP49A, and the pipeline was also broken at SP45. A 300 foot section was lost in SP38. The estimated loss was 123 barrels of crude oil.


 December 3, 2004 – Total E&P USA, Inc.

Pollution: 4,834 bbl Crude Oil/ Condensate: None
Refined Petroleum: None Synthetic Oil Fluids*: None
Chemicals: 4,834 bbl Methanol Event: Pollution
MMS Investigation Report: None Activity: Development/ Production
Lease: G13035 Operation: Pipeline
Area: Main Pass Causes: External Damage, Hurricane
Block: 261 Distance to Shore: 75 Miles
Platform: Platform A Water Depth: 1,475 Feet
Pipeline Segment: # 13235 Pipeline Diameter: 2 Inches

Remarks: On December 3, Total E&P personnel noticed a drop in pressure on the subsea methanol distribution line (SMDL), approximately 34 barrels Methanol were lost that day. It was determined that the leak was due to a hole or a break in the methanol line and that approximately 34 barrels Methanol had leaked on December 3, 2004. An additional 100 barrels leaked on both December 8 & 9, 2004 due to pressuring up the line to determine the source of the leak. Dye was pumped into the pipeline and an ROV was used to walk the pipeline to locate the leak. Several different attempts to locate the leak through the end of 2004. On January 1, 2005, another attempt was employed by using nitrogen injection and an ROV to visually inspect for bubbles arising from the leak. The leak, a 3.5" longitudinal fracture, was found 10.9 miles from the MP 261 platform in 1,479 feet of water. Total E&P believes the fracture was caused by external damage inflicted by a loose anchor during Hurricane Ivan -- the anchor remained on-site. The final estimate was 4,834 barrels of methanol leaked into the Gulf of Mexico up until the time the leak was found.

NRC Report: 743776 Correct Area, Initial Estimate

NRC Report: 745460 Final Volume Estimate, Wrong Area Specified


NOTES:

Synthetic Oil Fluids*: In deepwater drilling, synthetic-based muds (SBM’s) are preferred over petroleum oil-based muds (OBM’s) due to the SBM's superior performance properties. The synthetic oils used in SBM’s are relatively non-toxic to the marine environment and have the potential to biodegrade.

60%**: Indicates that for a synthetic-based mud release, the exact percentage of volume of synthetic base oil to to total volume of mud released was not available and 60% was used as a reasonable approximation.

 

Last Updated: 09/17/10, 05:07 PM