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Gulf of Mexico Region Spills ≥ 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons) – 2002 February 3, 2002 – BP Exploration Inc.
Remarks: The operator reported an operational discharge of 103 bbl of 50% synthetic-based drilling mud. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 51.5 barrels of synthetic base oil. NRC Report: 592957 February 21, 2002 – BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: During displacement of synthetic-based mud (SBM), the boost pump was used to assist in the rate of displacement. After mud pit volumes indicated an excessive loss of mud, an investigation determined that the hose and connector pin were missing from a gooseneck swivel connection to the well riser. Approximately 534 barrels of 50% SBM was inadvertently released from the booster line connected to the riser 80 feet below the surface. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 267 barrels of synthetic base oil. NRC Report: 594603 March 1, 2002 – BHP Petroleum (GOM) Inc.
Remarks: The drill ship C.R. Luigs was forced off location due to a combination of severe weather and loop currents. This resulted in an emergency riser disconnect on Well #1 and the loss of 3,000 barrels of 60%** synthetic-based mud (SBM). It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 1,800 barrels of synthetic base oil. NRC Report: 595379 August 25, 2002 – Shell Deepwater Development, Inc.
Remarks: The metal reinforced hose on the blow out preventer riser booster line ruptured during drilling operations. Approximately 57 barrels of 60%** Novaplus synthetic base mud was released into Gulf waters. Drilling operations were suspended for approximately two hours until the hose was repaired. Once the hose was repaired, drilling operations were continued. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 60 barrels of synthetic base oil. NRC Report: 621017 October 3, 2002 – Murphy Exploration & Production Company
Remarks: HURRICANE LILI. The uncontrolled flow from Well No. 19 was caused by damage from Hurricane Lili (a Category 4 hurricane) that decapitated the well and bent the wellhead at 15 degrees. The loss of the wellhead caused differential flow across the J Storm Choke. The storm choke failed to contain the pressure over time and was at some point released from its settings and ejected from the wellhead. While the mechanism that caused the choke to fail is not known, the most likely explanation is that the slips of the choke were cut by grit carried by seepage around the choke body, ultimately releasing the choke and allowing the well to flow uncontrolled. An estimated 350 barrels of crude oil was released, creating a dark brown slick 6 miles long by 50 yards wide. A Fast Response Unit (FSU) was dispatched which recovered approximately 145 barrels of the crude oil spilled. NRC Report: 624859 October 3, 2002 – Vastar Resources, Inc.
Remarks: HURRICANE LILI. BP had planned to perform a tubing replacement workover on the B-2 well, but the work was postponed due to the Hurricane Lili. Instead, BP moved the Dolphin Titan 105 rig 1,500 feet from the B platform in preparation for the storm. The rig was in the direct path of Hurricane Lili, a Category 4 hurricane. When BP personnel surveyed the location after Hurricane Lili, the Dolphin Titan 105 rig was found capsized at Ship Shoal Block 126. There was a loss of 497.2 bbl of petroleum products comprised of: 445.2 bbl diesel oil, 11.4 bbl 40W oil, 21.3 bbl 90W oil, 16.4 bbl hydraulic oil, and 2.9 bbl waste oil that had been stored on board the rig. NRC Report: 624809 October 3, 2002 – RME Petroleum Company & Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Remarks: HURRICANE LILI. On Friday, October 3, 2002 the jack-up rig Rowan Houston at Well A-36 capsized under the forces of Hurricane Lili, a Category 4 hurricane. On Saturday, October 4, 2002, MMS conducted a fly over of the Ship Shoal Area. They found a leg that was broken off above the water line but could not locate the rig’s hull. Rowan conducted an aircraft search and confirmed that the hull of the Rowan Houston rig was lying on its side just west of the platform. The rig had been performing a completion for the RME Petroleum Co. & Anadarko Petroleum Corp. in Well A-36 and had not perforated the well. The rig’s last report indicated that the BOP blind rams had been closed and the rig secured for Hurricane Lili. Rowan Companies Inc. indicated there was no spill as of Oct. 3, but the rig had 741 bbls of diesel oil on board at the time it capsized. When the fuel tank was tested at a later date, it was determined that all the diesel oil in the tank had been lost after the rig capsized. RME Petroleum Co. was responsible for the drilling rig and its fuel, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. was responsible for the on board drilling fluids (see October 10, 2002 incident). NRC Report: 624909 October 10, 2002 – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation & RME Petroleum Company
Remarks: HURRICANE LILI. On Friday, October 3, 2002 the jack-up rig Rowan Houston at Well A-36 fell over and sank under the forces of Hurricane Lili, a Category 4 hurricane. On Friday, October 10, 2002, while attempting to recover the drilling rig, completion fluids on board were reported lost by Anadarko Petroleum Corp. The fluids lost were 327 barrels of zinc bromide completion fluid and 18.8 barrels of Safe Surf O oil-based surfactant. RME Petroleum Co. was responsible for the drilling rig and its fuel (see October 3, 2002 incident), Anadarko Petroleum Corp. was responsible for the on board drilling fluids. NRC Report: 626703 October 20, 2002 – BHP Petroleum (GOM) Inc.
Remarks: During completion, zinc bromide (ZnBr2) displacement operations had been carried out, followed by cleaning and wash up. The derrick hand noticed the sand traps were full and got permission from the supervisory engineer to dump this fluid, and released the fluids. It was later discovered that the dumped fluids included 156 barrels of fluid from the 250 barrel deck mud holding tank that had siphoned back into the sand traps while the wash up was carried out. Rig personnel should have known the sand trap could have contained zinc bromide and should never have dumped it overboard. NRC Report: 626795 November 17, 2002 – Murphy Exploration & Production Company
Remarks: While drilling, the blowout preventers began leaking caused by metal cuttings/shavings in the lower annular. This caused damage in the seals resulting in the release of 60 barrels of synthetic drilling fluid into the Gulf of Mexico from the drill pipe on the well. NRC Report: 629448 November 26, 2002 – Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corporation
Remarks: The mud ran over the shale shaker screens, which were turned off. The mud ran over the shale shaker and cuttings discharge line into Gulf waters causing 200 barrels of 60%** synthetic-based mud (SBM) to be inadvertently discharged into Gulf waters. This was caused by failure to ensure sufficient communication among rig personnel. Both drill crews were retrained after this incident. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 120 barrels of synthetic base oil. NRC Report: 630270 November 27, 2002 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: A piece of metal trash lodged in the primary overboard isolation valve’s gate, which prevented it from sealing properly. The roughneck given the job of closing the overboard isolation valves needed to isolate the mud processing pits from the sea was not experienced enough to identify the correct valves. The roughneck did not realize the primary valve was not completely closed, and misidentified another closed valve as the secondary isolation valve, so that the secondary valve was not closed. This left the pits open to the overboard line through the blocked valve. The spilled drilling fluid was heavier than the surrounding Gulf saltwater and sank immediately. The release was 642 bbl of 12 ppg CP-2002 synthetic-based drilling mud (SBM) consisting of 58.5% synthetic base oil derived from Ethylene (not distilled oil), and he balance of the SBM was 18% water and 23.5% solids. This is classified as an environmentally compliant drilling fluid. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 375.5 barrels of synthetic base oil. NRC Report: 630385 December 8, 2002 – Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: While circulating liquid mud, a valve was left open causing a spill of material. Up to 100 barrels of 60%** Novaplus (11.2 pounds) synthetic-based mud was released. It is estimated that the lost SBM contained approximately 60 barrels of synthetic base oil. NRC Report: 631152 NOTE: Synthetic Oil Fluids*: In deepwater drilling, synthetic-based muds (SBM’s) are preferred over petroleum oil-based muds (OBM’s) due to the SBM's superior performance properties. The synthetic oils used in SBM’s are relatively non-toxic to the marine environment and have the potential to biodegrade. 60%**: Indicates that for a synthetic-based mud release, the exact percentage of volume of synthetic base oil to to total volume of mud released was not available and 60% was used as a reasonable approximation. Privacy | Disclaimers | Accessibility | Topic Index | FOIA Last Updated: 06/24/08, 02:42 PM
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