Mars TLP remains offline for additional repairs

Shell Exploration & Production Co., New Orleans, reported that its Mars tension leg platform in Mississippi Canyon Block 807 in the Gulf of Mexico will be shut in for repairs for "several more weeks" to facilitate repairs to a natural gas pipeline. During inspection of the gas line as part of the process to ensure that the facility was ready for start-up, Shell found deterioration on the gas export pipeline's flexjoint.

June 8, 2004

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, June 8 -- Shell Exploration & Production Co., New Orleans, reported that its Mars tension leg platform in Mississippi Canyon Block 807 in the Gulf of Mexico will be shut in for repairs for "several more weeks" to facilitate repairs to a natural gas pipeline. During inspection of the gas line as part of the process to ensure that the facility was ready for start-up, Shell found deterioration on the gas export pipeline flexjoint.

The TLP has been shut in since May 22 when Shell reported damage to its oil export pipeline's flexjoint following discovery of a small oil leak. Temporary repairs originally were expected to take 2-3 weeks (OGJ Online, May 24, 2004).

Prior to shutdown, Mars was producing 150,000 bbl of oil and 170 MMcfd of gas.