MWCC adds tanker to its oil spill containment system

Marine Well Containment Co. (MWCC) has taken delivery of a Aframax tanker, the Eagle Texas, to add to its expanded oil spill containment system that will be operational in 2012.
Sept. 26, 2011

Marine Well Containment Co. (MWCC) has taken delivery of a Aframax tanker, the Eagle Texas, to add to its expanded oil spill containment system that will be operational in 2012.

The tanker, to be operated by AET Tanker Holdings, soon will undergo extensive conversion and modification before taking up duties in the Gulf of Mexico.

A not-for-profit, stand-alone organization, MWCC is working to improve industry’s capabilities to contain a potential underwater well control incident in the gulf.

MWCC has an interim containment system currently available for deployment. It consists of MWCC-owned equipment along with access to mutual aid vessels and equipment.

The expanded containment system will include the Eagle Texas tanker along with one other dedicated capture vessel.

Modular process equipment onboard the capture vessels will separate the oil and gas, store the oil, and flare the gas. Oil will be offloaded to shuttle tankers.

MWCC’s expanded system is being built for use in 10,000 ft of water with the capacity to process as much as 100,000 b/d of liquids and as much as 200 MMscfd of gas.

About the Author

Paula Dittrick

Senior Staff Writer

Paula Dittrick has covered oil and gas from Houston for more than 20 years. Starting in May 2007, she developed a health, safety, and environment beat for Oil & Gas Journal. Dittrick is familiar with the industry’s financial aspects. She also monitors issues associated with carbon sequestration and renewable energy.

Dittrick joined OGJ in February 2001. Previously, she worked for Dow Jones and United Press International. She began writing about oil and gas as UPI’s West Texas bureau chief during the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1974.

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