By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 25 -- A joint investigation team (JIT) of the US Coast Guard and the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement received a 60-day extension of the deadline for the JIT final investigation report following a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The JIT is charged with completing forensic testing into the failed blowout preventer (BOP) from Transocean Ltd.’s Deepwater Horizon semisubmersible. An Apr. 20 blowout of BP PLC’s deepwater Macondo well on Mississippi Canyon Block 252 resulted in an explosion and fire on the semi, killing 11 people.
USCG and BOEMRE officials said they granted the extension to allow additional time for testing the BOP and also to provide more time to prepare for a final public hearing on the forensic evidence. The hearing tentatively is scheduled for the week of Jan. 24, 2011.
The JIT was asked to issue a report on the evidence as well as its conclusions and recommendations. The deadline for that final report has been moved to Mar. 27, 2011.
Previously, Det Norske Veritas was hired to conduct the BOP forensic testing. The BOP and lower-marine riser package were taken to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Michoud Assembly facility in New Orleans on Sept. 11. Federal officials and DNV have been working on final BOP testing protocols.
US Government Accountability Office.
