Spills ≥ 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons) – 2009

January to March, 2009 – W & T Offshore, Inc.

Pollution:	54.3 bbl	Crude Oil/ Condensate:	54.3 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum:	None	Synthetic Oil Fluids*:	None
Chemicals:	None	Event:	Pollution
MMS Investigation Report:	Accident Incident Reports Only	Activity:	Decommissioning/Salvage
Lease:	G05525	Operation:	Submerged Platform
Area:	Eugene Island	Causes:	Hurricane Ike
Block:	371	Distance to Shore:	93 Miles
Platform:	B	Water Depth:	415 Feet

Remarks: The Eugene Island 371 B  4-pile fixed platform with skirts, installed in Federal waters in 1987, was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in September 2008. Approximately 54.3 bbl seeped from the structure between January 1 and March 31, 2008.

NRC Report: None

April 19, 2009 – LLOG Offshore, Inc.

Remarks: Loss of Well Control. Operating from the semisubmersible drilling rig Noble Lorris Bouzigard, after perforating the subject well during the initial completion operation, the hole lost 14.4 ppg calcium bromide completion fluid. Gas in riser and 200 bbl of calcium bromide completion fluid was discharged through the diverter. All non-essential personnel were mustered at the stern life boat stations donning life jackets as the general evacuation alarm sounded, but no actual rig evacuation took place. No clear and specific cause could be identified for the gas bubble to have traveled into the riser prior to the first surface observed trip tank gain and closure of the BOP Upper Annular subsequent to intentionally unseating the Champ IV Packer.  The reverse shock wave created by the perforating guns may have momentarily opened a valve allowing for a gas bubble flow path to the annulus.

Accident Investigation Report: Form 2010 19-April-2009 MC 72

NRC Report: 903185

May 3, 2009 – Shell Offshore Inc.

Remarks: While the operator on the Garden Banks A-Auger tension leg platform (installed in 1994) was attempting to equalize pressure across a subsea safety valve (SCSSV) on a well prior to opening it. When 58 bbl of methanol were pumped into a methanol line feeding a group of three wells, the methanol flowed either into one of the other two wells, via a malfunctioning valve, or was released to the environment through a leak. Because this leak was at a subsea location with a 2860 foot water depth and the tubing interconnections are complex, the diagnostic process is complicated. In the process of identifying the leak, an additional 12 bbl of methanol was pumped through the tubing during tests, for a total release of 70 bbl of methanol prior to securing the leak.

NRC Report: 904605 and 904792

May 28, 2009 – Devon Energy Production Company, Inc.

Pollution:	102.7 bbl	Crude Oil/ Condensate:	None
Refined Petroleum:	None	Synthetic Oil Fluids*:	102.7 bbl           Synthetic Base Fluids in 223.3 bbl of 46% Rheliant SBM
Chemicals:	None	Event:	Pollution
MMS Investigation Report:	2010 Form Completed 27-July-2009	Activity:	Exploration
Lease:	G19545	Operation:	Drilling
Area:	Keathley Canyon	Causes:	Equipment Failure & Human Error
Block:	291	Distance to Shore:	200 miles
Rig:	Seadrill West Sirius	Water Depth:	5,851 Feet

Remarks: Devon Energy reported 223.3 bbl of 46% Rheliant 46% synthetic based mud (SBM) was unintentionally discharged from the Seadrill West Sirius semisubmersible drilling rig (built in 2008) into the Gulf of Mexico. This discharge was a result of an incorrect valve lineup on the hydraulic supply to the Diverter Control Unit. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 102.7 barrels of synthetic base fluids. In addition, prior to discovering the incorrect valve line-up, returns were lost during cementing operations with no evidence that the trip tank was not being properly monitored. The investigation determined that an improper seal of the telescopic slip joint resulted from the lack of hydraulic supply pressure causing the loss of SBM. A hydraulic supply block valve was inadvertently left closed following recent maintenance operations, leading to inadequate pressure to seal the slip joint.

Accident Investigation Report: Form 2010 28-May-2009 KC291

NOAA Incident News: 8029

NRC Report: 906859

July 25, 2009 – Shell Pipeline Company

Pollution:	1,500 bbl	Crude Oil/ Condensate:	1,500 bbl Crude Oil
Refined Petroleum:	None	Synthetic Oil Fluids*:	None
Chemicals:	None	Event:	Pollution
MMS Investigation Report:	U.S. DOT Report       17-Aug-2009	Activity:	Development/Production
Lease:	G23900	Operation:	Pipeline, Production
Area:	Ship Shoal	Causes:	External forces
Block:	142	Distance to Shore:	33 miles
Pipeline Segment:	# 4006	Water Depth:	50 Feet

Remarks: At 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2009, the Shell Pipeline Company shut-in the Eugene Island Pipeline System (EIPS) due to the loss of  pressure. The DOT-regulated 20" oil pipeline segment #4006 (originating in South Marsh Block 128 and terminating in South Timbalier Block 11) installed in Federal waters in 1996, had developed a leak in Ship Shoal Block 142. The Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) responded to the spill. A total of 220 gallons of Corexit 9527 dispersants were applied on Monday by the MSRC's King Air aircraft. Two of MSRC's responder class vessels were dispatched, the Louisiana Responder began skimming on Monday morning, and the Gulf Responder was on site Tuesday.  Approximately 1,500 barrels were released of which 276 barrels were recovered.

The spill was caused by a longitudinal crack on the EIPS at the crossing point with a third party pipeline (Williams pipeline).  The force and energy of multiple storms (i.e. Hurricanes Rita, Gustav, Ike, etc.) scoured the seabed and washed out the original pipeline separation at the crossing and damaged the concrete coating. Mechanical damage observed at the EIPS failure point included multiple small, very shallow surface gouges in a concentrated area, along with some deformation of the pipeline in the same area.  The gouges and deformation were probably caused by severe abrasion and gouging that resulted from repeated contact with the Williams pipeline after the original pipeline separation failed. The abrasion and contact subsequently promoted the expansion of the micro-fractures in the pipe wall until normal operational pressure cycling and fluctuations caused pipe failure.

In an "Accident Report - Hazardous Liquid, Pipeline Systems" submission to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Shell Pipeline Co. estimated total costs of $10,723,000: $20,000 Public/private property damage, $3,500,000 Cost of emergency response phase, $103,000 Value of product lost, and $7,100,000 Repair costs.

NRC Report: 912739

NOAA Incident News: 8061

October 25, 2009 – Shell Offshore Inc.

Pollution:	314 bbl	Crude Oil/ Condensate:	None
Refined Petroleum:	None	Synthetic Oil Fluids*:	314 bbl Accolade Synthetic Base
Chemicals:	None	Event:	Pollution
MMS Investigation Report:	2010 Form Completed 2-April-2010	Activity:	Development/Production
Lease:	G05868	Operation:	Drilling
Area:	Mississippi Canyon	Causes:	Human Error
Block:	765	Distance to Shore:	79 Miles
Rig:	Noble Jim Thompson	Water Depth:	3,544 Feet

Remarks: On 25 October 2009, at approximately 1830 hours, 314 bbls of Accolade Base Fluid (Accolade), a synthetic base mud additive, was discharged overboard. A pontoon hand inadvertently pumped out the MPP-02 tank containing the Accolade when he assumed it was seawater. The pontoon hand discharged the contents into Gulf waters without reading the rig logs or verifying the contents of the tank. The Pontoon hand was notified five hours later that the Accolade and not seawater was in tank MPP-02. At the time of the incident, the rig was in the process of pulling anchors to move off location. The pontoon hand did not read the rig log of 19 October 2009 which states that the fluid was transferred to tank MPP-02, but instead assumed that seawater was in the tank. No testing of the tank(s) fluids were performed prior to the discharge operation. No signs were installed on the tank(s) to indicate their contents.

Accident Investigation Report: Form 2010 25-October-2009 MC765

NRC Report: 921720

November 10, 2009 – BP Exploration & Production

Remarks: The GSF Development Driller II, a semi-submersible drilling rig, was in the process of flushing the kill, boost, and choke lines. While flushing the choke line with synthetic based 11.7 pound per gallon mud, operating personnel realized the choke line had been detached from the gooseneck on the slip joint and was hanging in the water suspended from the connection. A total of 97 bbl of 62% synthetic based mud (SBM) was released through the choke line into the water. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 60 bbl of synthetic base fluids.

Accident Investigation Report: Form 2010 10-November-2009 GC 743

NRC Report: 923144

December 3, 2009 – LLOG Exploration Offshore Inc.

Pollution:	230 bbl	Crude Oil/ Condensate:	None
Refined Petroleum:	None	Synthetic Oil Fluids*:	None
Chemicals:	230 bbl of Zinc Bromide	Event:	Pollution
MMS Investigation Report:	2010 Form Completed 8-January-2010	Activity:	Exploration
Lease:	G31694	Operation:	Completion
Area:	Green Canyon	Causes:	Human Error
Block:	97	Distance to Shore:	93 Miles
Rig:	Noble Lorris Bouzigard	Water Depth:	650 Feet

Remarks: During a fracturing job, the Noble Lorris Bouzigard, a semi-submersible drilling rig, discharged 230 barrels of 15.7 pound per gallon Zinc Bromide completion fluid overboard. During fluid circulation, an incorrectly positioned valve on the gumbo box, at the end of the mud line, caused the Zinc Bromide to flow in the master drain line and ultimately overboard.

Accident Investigation Report: Form2010 3-December-2009 GC 097

December 19, 2009 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.

Remarks:  On 19 December 2009, BP Exploration and Production Inc's Mad Dog spar had a pollution event resulting in approximately 50 barrels of oil going into the water of the moon pool center well. An operator observed crude oil on the surface of the center well, as a result, all hot work was ceased and fire crews were put on watch. The oil was reported as being dark black and having a strong smell. BP removed all oil from the center well caisson and began regular monitoring of the center well. An investigation determined a faulty check valve was the cause of oil entering the caisson. The valve was repaired and double isolated with manual block valves. The check valve remains isolated until the piping design is corrected to prevent another occurrence.

Accident Investigation Report: Form 2010 19-December-2009 GC 782

NRC Report:  No NRC Report

December 24, 2009 – Anadarko Petroleum Company

Pollution:	124.5 bbl	Crude Oil/ Condensate:	None
Refined Petroleum:	None	Synthetic Oil Fluids*:	124.5 bbl synthetic base oil in 196 bbl of 63.5% SBM
Chemicals:	None	Event:	Pollution
MMS Investigation Report:	Accident Incident Report Only	Activity:	Development/Production
Lease:	G21826	Operation:	Drilling
Area:	Atwater Valley	Causes:	Equipment Failure
Block:	37	Distance to Shore:	196 Miles
Rig:	Transocean Discoverer Spirit	Water Depth:	8,232 Feet

Remarks: Personnel on the T.O. Discoverer Spirit drillship discovered. A leak occurred in the kill line connection between two joints at a true vertical depth of 7,449 feet. Initially 48 bbl of 11.2 ppg synthetic based mud (SBM) was lost due to the leak. An additional 148 bbl SBM, the capacity of the kill line, was lost due to the leak. A total of 196 bbl of 63.5% SBM was released. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 124.5 bbl of synthetic base fluids.

NRC Report: 927042

December 30, 2009 – Murphy Exploration &   Production Company

Pollution:	62.0 bbl  Preliminary	Crude Oil/ Condensate:	62.0 bbl
Refined Petroleum:	None	Synthetic Oil Fluids*:	None
Chemicals:	None	Event:	Loss of Well Control, Pollution
MMS Investigation Report:	Ongoing Panel Investigation	Activity:	Exploration
Lease:	G27306	Operation:	Plugged & Abandoned
Area:	Mississippi Canyon	Causes:	Equipment Failure
Block:	736/737	Distance to Shore:	73 Miles
Well:	No. 1	Water Depth:	6,050 Feet

Remarks:  Small leak discovered at plugged and abandoned wellhead.  Well was repaired in January 2010.  Information preliminary pending completion of the Panel Investigation.

NRC Report: 927630

One Barrel (bbl) Equals 42 U.S. Gallons (gal)

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 total volume of mud released was not available and 60% was used as a reasonable approximation.