Paula Dittrick
OGJ Senior Staff Writer
HOUSTON, July 21 -- Four oil majors announced plans to build and deploy a rapid response system that will be available to capture and contain oil in case of a future well blowout in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The companies committed $1 billion to fund initial costs.
Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Corp., and Royal Dutch Shell PLC said the new system will be flexible and capable of beginning mobilization within 24 hr for use on various well designs and equipment, oil and natural gas flow rates, and weather conditions. The new system will be designed for 10,000 ft of water and have initial capacity to contain 100,000 b/d.
Since the Apr. 20 blowout of BP PLC’s deepwater Macondo will on Mississippi Canyon Block 252, industry has found itself building special subsea equipment as needed to cap the runaway well and to divert leaking oil and gas.
John Watson, Chevron chairman and chief executive officer, said oil companies realize they need the public’s trust that industry can produce oil and gas safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.
“We are committed to advancing safe operations through enhanced prevention, better well containment and intervention, and improved spill response,” Watson said. “This new system significantly enhances the industry’s ability to effectively respond to any unforeseen incidents.”
A team of marine, subsea, and construction engineers from the four companies is designing the new system, which is anticipated to be ready for rapid deployment in the deepwater gulf, if needed. The system will include specially designed subsea containment equipment connected by manifolds, jumpers, and risers to capture vessels that can store and offload the oil.
Dedicated crews are expected to ensure regular maintenance, inspection, and readiness of the response facilities and subsea equipment, organizers said. The four companies plan to form a nonprofit organization, the Marine Well Containment Co., to operate and maintain this system. Other companies are invited to participate.
Work on the new system is being accelerated to enhance deepwater safety and environmental protection in the gulf. The four sponsor companies will proceed immediately with the engineering, procurement, and construction of equipment and vessels for the system.
ExxonMobil will lead the effort. Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil chief executive officer, said the system hopefully never will have to be used.
“The extensive experience of industry shows that when the focus remains on safe operations and risk management, tragic incidents like the one we are witnessing in the Gulf of Mexico today should not occur,” Tillerson said.
The four companies also are actively involved in significant industry efforts to improve prevention, well intervention, and spill response. This includes rig inspections and implementation of new requirements on blowout preventer certification and well design.
In addition, industry has proactively formed several multidisciplinary task forces to further develop improved prevention, containment, and recovery plans.
Contact Paula Dittrick at [email protected].
US Government Accountability Office.
