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The
NewsRoom
Release: #3516
Date: May 30, 2006
Securing Offshore Oil &
Gas Production in the 2006 Hurricane Season
Federal Agencies Join Industry
in Unveiling Preparedness Measures
WASHINGTON – The Minerals Management
Service, the Department of Energy and the American Petroleum
Institute held a joint press conference today, to discuss the
importance of oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Mexico region,
the emphasis on operations safety, and the improvements that have
taken place since Hurricane season 2005.
The effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused
unprecedented and prolonged evacuations, as well as the shut-in of
offshore facilities that in turn affected the nation’s domestic oil
and gas supply. The storms were the worst in the history of Gulf of
Mexico oil and gas production. In comparison with Hurricane Ivan in
2004, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita accounted for considerably more
damage because of the paths taken by these two devastating storms.
However, the offshore industry was able to
maintain a record of no loss of life and no significant
environmental damage from wells on the outer continental shelf (OCS)
during both storms.
“Although, the past hurricane season was
devastating and the obstacles created by this storm are still being
tackled, MMS stands firm with a commitment to operations safety and
excellence,” Minerals Management Service Director Johnnie Burton
said. “We are fully aware of the challenges we face in the upcoming
season and have worked closely with the oil and gas industry and
other Federal agencies in developing stronger safety standards for
Gulf operations. Because of that advanced work, we are better
prepared this year, but one can never be truly ready for a
hurricane.”
In preparation for Hurricane season 2006, MMS
implemented several improvements to their oversight system. They
include: (1) extensive pre-season planning with the Department of
Energy and the U.S. Coast Guard to facilitate communications during
storms (2) coordination with the industry to improve safety,
specifically through Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU)
improvements, jack-up site assessment guidelines, risk assessment
tools, and platform upgrades (3) inviting a representative of the US
Coast Guard to join the MMS Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
team to improve and enhance communication regarding damage to
facilities and subsequent warnings to mariners by the USCG, and, (4)
improvements to electronic hurricane reporting system to better
improve communications between industry and MMS.
Relevant Web
Site:
MMS Main Website
Interim Guidelines for Moored Drilling Rig Fitness Requirements for
the 2006 Hurricane Season
Interim Guidelines for Jack-up Drilling Rig Fitness Requirements for
the 2006 Hurricane Season
Media Contact:
Gary Strasburg 202/208-3985
MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for
America
U.S. Department of the Interior
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