The NewsRoom
Release: #3418
Date: January 19, 2006

Impact Assessment of Offshore Facilities from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

NEW ORLEANS – The Minerals Management Service today released its analysis of the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Analysis of the damage assessment data, along with ongoing research requested by the agency, will be incorporated in plans for future hurricane seasons.

The Gulf of Mexico, one of the nation’s largest sources of oil and gas production, was dealt a one-two punch by these hurricanes, causing destruction and substantial damage to offshore platforms within a four-week period in August and September.

MMS estimates that 3,050 of the Gulf’s 4,000 platforms and 22,000 of the 33,000 miles of Gulf pipelines were in the direct path of either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Because of the large amount of infrastructure in the path of hurricane-force winds and waves, the amount of damage was substantial. In comparison with Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita accounted for considerably more damage because of the paths taken by these two devastating storms. However, there was no loss of life or significant oil spills from wells on the outer continental shelf (OCS) attributed to either storm.

Hurricane Katrina, which was a category 5 hurricane when it entered the OCS, destroyed 46 platforms (Table 1) and damaged 20 others (Table 2). To date, 100 damaged pipelines and 211 minor pollution incidents on the OCS have been reported to MMS. Minor pollution incidents are defined as incidents involving less then 500 barrels of oil that do not reach the coast line. Included in the 100 damaged pipelines in Federal waters were 36 large diameter pipelines (10” or larger) that were damaged (Table 3). Twelve of these 36 have returned to service.

Hurricane Rita, which was a category 4 hurricane when it entered the OCS, destroyed 69 platforms (Table 4) and damaged 32 others (Table 5). To date, 83 damaged pipelines and 207 minor pollution incidents on the OCS have been reported to MMS. Included in the 83 damaged pipelines in Federal waters were 28 large diameter pipelines (10” or larger) that were damaged (Table 6). Ten of these 28 have returned to service.

MMS has requested research proposals on six subject areas related to the hurricanes and the damage to offshore oil and gas facilities. The six areas are the following: (1) Assess and evaluate pipeline movement or damage; (2) Assess and evaluate platform damage; (3) Provide hurricane hindcast data; (4) Evaluate and assess the performance of jack-up rigs; (5) Assess methods to eliminate hydrates in pipelines and risers during startups after a hurricane; and (6) Assess the response of waves and currents throughout the water column in the northern Gulf of Mexico slope and shelf.

“The overall damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has shown them to be the greatest natural disasters to oil and gas development in the history of the Gulf of Mexico,” MMS Regional Director Chris Oynes said. He noted, “Just last year, in the devastating Hurricane Ivan, there were seven platforms destroyed, compared with the 115 platforms destroyed in Katrina and Rita.”

One hundred percent of Gulf oil production, which is approximately 1.5 million barrels a day, was shut-in during both storms and 94 percent of gas production, which is 10 billion cubic feet of gas a day, was shut-in during Hurricane Katrina. More than 90 percent of the manned platforms and 85 percent of working rigs were evacuated at one time. Daily production of about 396,000 barrels of oil and about 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas remain shut-in. For a long-term projection, approximately 255,000 barrels a day and 400 million cubic feet of gas a day will probably not be restored to production prior the start of the 2006 hurricane season.

Oynes noted that, “Assessments on pipeline and facility damages are still ongoing, and any updates will be reflected in future releases. It is likely that additional damage will be reported as underwater damage assessments are completed. These have been delayed because of overwhelmed support resources, such as diving equipment, support vessels, and remotely operated vehicles.”

MMS, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages offshore oil and gas exploration as well as renewable and alternative energy sources such as wind, wave, and solar on 1.76 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf while protecting the human, marine, and coastal environments. The OCS provides 30 percent of oil and 21 percent of natural gas produced domestically, and sand used for coastal restoration. MMS collects, accounts for, and disburses mineral revenues from Federal and American Indian lands, and contributes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other special use funds, with Fiscal Year 2005 disbursements of approximately $9.9 billion and more than $153 billion since 1982.

Relevant Web Sites:
  
MMS Main Website
   Gulf of Mexico Website

Media Contacts:
 
 Debra Winbush   (281) 873-1858
   Caryl Fagot         (281) 873-1859

MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior

 

Table 1 – Platforms Destroyed by Hurricane Katrina

Katrina Destroyed Platforms

Operator           

Map Area

Block Number

Facility

Water Depth (Feet)

BP America Production Company

GI

40

B

83

BP America Production Company

GI

40

F

86

BP America Production Company

GI

47

C

88

BP America Production Company

GI

48

D

86

BP America Production Company

GI

41

A

91

BP America Production Company

GI

32

J

106

Newfield Exploration Company

MP

138

A

158

Southern Natural Gas Company

MP

298

B-Valve

222

Noble Energy, Inc.

MP

306

D

255

Apache Corporation

MP

312

JA

248

Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

MP

270

A

205

Energy Resource Technology, Inc.

PL

20

39

30

Apache Corporation                       

SP

62

A

340

Apache Corporation

SP

62

B

322

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.    

ST

21

1

37

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

22

36

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

25

40

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

27

40

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

31

36

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

66

45

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

67

46

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

71

48

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

75

47

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.   

ST

21

E

40

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

ST

135

M

116

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

ST

151

I

128

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

ST

151

O

137

Apache Corporation

ST

161

A

117

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

ST

176

A

140

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

ST

151

G

137

Apache Corporation

ST

161

B

120

BP America Production Company

WD

69

C

121

BP America Production Company      

WD

69

K

134

BP America Production Company

WD

95

#5 Well

150

Apache Corporation

WD

103

A

223

Apache Corporation

WD

103

B

228

Apache Corporation

WD

104

C

228

Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC

WD

117

C

214

Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC

WD

117

D

195

Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC

WD

117

E

208

Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC

WD

117

F

200

Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC

WD

117

QRT

214

Apache Corporation

WD

133

B

285

El Paso Production GOM Inc.

WD

137

A

310

BP America Production Company

WD

94

G

153

BP America Production Company

WD

70

H

141

   Area Key:

   GI-Grand Isle
   MP- Main Pass
   PL- South Pelto
   SP- South Pass
   ST-South Timbalier
   WD-West Delta
 

Table 2 – Platforms Damaged by Hurricane Katrina

Katrina Damaged Platforms

Operator           

Map Area

Block Number

Facility

Water Depth (Feet)

Forest Oil Corporation

GI

76

A

150

Taylor Energy Company

MC

21

B - Simba

667

Shell Offshore Inc.

MC

194

A - Cognac

1023

TOTAL E&P USA, INC.

MC

243

A - Matterhorn

2850

Apache Corporation

MC

311

A

425

Shell Offshore Inc.

MC

807

A - Mars

2933

Newfield Exploration Company

MP

138

B

158

Williams Field Services

MP

261

JP (Canyon Station)

299

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

MP

299

AA

207

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

SP

77

A

216

Arena Offshore, LLC

SP

83

A

427

Exxon Mobil Corporation

SP

93

A

552

Exxon Mobil Corporation

SP

93

B

450

Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

ST

21

D

36

Newfield Exploration Company

ST

148

B

96

TOTAL E&P USA, INC.

VK

823

A - Virgo

1130

Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC

WD

28

14

35

BP America Production Company

WD

95

X

150

Shell Offshore Inc.

WD

143

A - Process

369

Newfield Exploration Company

WD

152

A

373

   Area Key:

   GI – Grand Isle
   MC – Mississippi Canyon
   MP – Main Pass
   SP – South Pass
   ST – South Timbalier
   VK – Viosca Knoll
   WD – West Delta
 

Table 3 – Pipelines Damaged by Hurricane Katrina 

Large Diameter Pipelines with Damage (10” or greater)
in Federal Waters Only

Operator

Map Area

Block Number (starting point)

Diameter (inches)

Product

 Status

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

SS

198

26

Gas

Production resumed

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

SS

145

26

Gas

Production resumed

 Venice Gathering System LLC

WD

41

26

Gas

Shut in

  Venice Gathering System LLC    

ST

151

26

Gas

Shut in

 Southern Natural Gas Co

MP

298

26

Gas

Production resumed

 Trunkline Gas Company LLC

GI

94

24

Gas

Shut in

 Gulfterra Field Services LLC

VK

817

20

Gas

Production resumed

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

SS

168

20

Gas

Shut in

 Southern Natural Gs Co

SP

62

20

Gas

Shut in

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

ST

37

20

Gas

Shut in

 Southern Natural Gas Co

MP

306

18

Gas

Shut in

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

MC

809

18

Oil

Production resumed

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

MC

807

18

Oil

Shut in

 Equilon pipeline Company LLC

MC

809

18

Gas

Production resumed

 Chandeleur Pipeline  Co

MP

42

16

Gas

Production resumed

 Marlin Energy Offshore LLC

ST

20

14

Gas

Shut in

 Enbridge Offshore (Gas Gathering)

MC

807

14

Gas

Shut in

 Southern Natural Gas Co

SP

62

14

Gas

Shut in

 Southern Natural Gas Co

MP

291

12-24

Gas

Shut in

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

SP

62

12

Oil

Shut in

 Gulf South Pipeline Co LP

ST

26

12

Gas

Shut in

 Apache Corporation

WD

122

12

Bulk oil

Shut in

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

WD

104

12

Oil

Shut in

 Southern Natural Gas Co

WD

133

12

Gas

Shut in

 Chevron Pipeline Co

MO

908

12

Gas

Production resumed

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

ST

55

12

Gas

Shut in

 Chandeleur Pipeline Co

MP

41

12

Gas

Production resumed

 Southern Natural Gas Co

MP

298

12

Gas

Production resumed

 SPN Resources LLC

SP

60

10

Gas

Shut in

 Transcontinental Gas Pipeline

SS

169

10

Gas

Production resumed

 Total E&P USA Inc

MC

243

10

Gas

Shut in

 Apache Corporation

WD

105

10

Gas

Shut in

 Apache Corporation

SP

62

10

Gas

Shut in

 Apache Corporation

SP

62

10

Lift

Shut in

 Apache Corporation

ST

160

10

Gas

Shut in

 Exxon Mobil Corporation

SP

93

10

Gas

Shut in

   Area Key:

   EI – Eugene Island
   GC – Green Canyon
   GI – Grand Isle
   MC – Mississippi Canyon
   MO – Mobile
   MP – Main Pass
   SM – South Marsh Island
   SP – South Pass
   SS – Ship Shoal
   ST – South Timbalier
   VK – Viosca Knoll
   VR – Vermilion
   WC – West Cameron
   WD – West Delta
 

Table 4 – Platforms Destroyed by Hurricane Rita 

Rita Destroyed Platforms

Operator           

Map Area

Block Number

Facility

Water Depth (Feet)

East Cameron Partners, LP

EC

71

8

53

Newfield Exploration Company

EC

151

C

80

The Houston Exploration Company

EC

160

A-AUX

85

Energy Partners, Ltd.

EC

160

C

84

Energy Partners, Ltd.

EC

161

A

85

Maritech Resources, Inc.

EC

195

A

103

Energy Resource Technology, Inc.

EC

222

A - PROD

110

PetroQuest Energy, L.L.C.

EC

222

D

123

Merit Energy Company

EC

254

B

164

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

EC

272

A

182

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.                              

EC

272

A-AUX 1

182

Newfield Exploration Company

EC

286

B

186

Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

EC

322

A

230

Union Oil Company of California

EI

276

B-PRD

172

Union Oil Company of California

EI

276

D

176

B T Operating Co.

EI

294

A

204

Texaco Exploration and Production

EI

313

B

240

Texaco Exploration and Production

EI

313

C

230

Forest Oil Corporation

EI

314

F

230

Forest Oil Corporation

EI

314

J

230

Devon Energy Production Company

EI

330

S

254

Devon Energy Production Company

EI

333

A

231

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

EI

338

A

253

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

GC

237

A - Typhoon

2107

Forest Oil Corporation

HI

 A 467

D

187

Forest Oil Corporation

SM

11

K

68

Forest Oil Corporation

SM

11

B

68

Forest Oil Corporation

SM

11

J

68

Newfield Exploration Company

SM

49

B

98

Union Oil Company of California

SM

66

E

134

Union Oil Company of California

SM

66

A

128

Union Oil Company of California

SM

76

B

140

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

SM

90

A

163

Stone Energy Corporation

SM

108

D

183

Devon Energy Production Company        

SM

128

A-PRD

228

Newfield Exploration Company

SS

69

16

28

Gulf of Mexico Oil & Gas Properties LLC

SS

148

H

44

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

SS

169

A

54

W & T Offshore, Inc.

SS

177

C

92

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

SS

181

K

67

Apache Corporation 

SS

193

B

86

Taylor Energy Company

SS

218

D

112

Maritech Resources, Inc.

SS

219

C

113

SPN Resources, LLC

SS

253

A-AUX

165

Maritech Resources, Inc.

SS

269

A

170

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

ST

51

CH

62

Energy Resource Technology, Inc.

ST

146

A

170

Apache Corporation

ST

161

D

120

Stone Energy Corporation

VR

131

5

56

Stone Energy Corporation

VR

131

CF

57

Energy Resource Technology, Inc.

VR

201

A

83

Samson Contour Energy E&P, LLC

VR

217

A

121

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

VR

245

C - DRILL

131

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

VR

245

B

126

Stone Energy Corporation

VR

255

A

158

Stone Energy Corporation

VR

255

B

152

St. Mary Energy Company

VR

273

A

185

Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc.

VR

340

JA

227

Stone Energy Corporation

WC

45

5

28

Stone Energy Corporation

WC

56

CAIS # 15

34

BP Exploration & Production Inc.

WC

110

3

40

BP Exploration & Production Inc.

WC

110

1

40

BP Exploration & Production Inc.

WC

110

9

41

BP Exploration & Production Inc.

WC

110

10

40

Linder Oil Company

WC

168

CAIS # 2

44

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

WC

172

E

47

Stone Energy Corporation

WC

176

2

49

Dynegy Midstream Services

WC

229

A

65

Forest Oil Corporation

WC

313

1

49

   Area Key:

   EC – East Cameron
   EI – Eugene Island
   GC – Green Canyon
   HI – High Island
   SM – South Marsh Island
   SS – Ship Shoal
   ST – South Timbalier
   VR – Vermilion
   WC – West Cameron
 

 Table 5 – Platforms Damaged by Hurricane Rita 

Rita Damaged Platforms

Operator           

Map Area

Block Number

Facility

Water Depth (Feet)

Conn Energy, Inc

EC

229

A

115

Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corporation

EC

338

A

270

Chevron U.S.A. Inc

EI

238

A - AUX

139

Forest Oil Corporation

EI

266

E

167

Forest Oil Corporation

EI

266

C

175

Forest Oil Corporation

EI

266

Facility

176

Forest Oil Corporation

EI

287

D

200

Forest Oil Corporation

EI

292

B

210

ConocoPhillips Company

GC

52

CPP

604

Forest Oil Corporation

HI

 A 287

A

183

Newfield Exploration Company

SM

49

E

98

Taylor Energy Company

SM

73

A

132

Forest Oil Corporation

SM

106

A North

185

Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Properties LLC

SS

148

H

44

Merit Energy Company

SS

198

H - PRD

100

SPN Resources, LLC

SS

253

A

165

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation

SS

358

A

419

Exxon Mobil Corporation

ST

67

B

65

Forest Oil Corporation

ST

72

G

64

Forest Oil Corporation

VR

102

A

65

W & T Offshore, Inc.

VR

226

A

122

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

VR

250

C

145

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

VR

250

C - AUX 1

145

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

VR

250

E

145

El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

VR

252

F

153

Maritech Resources, Inc.

VR

253

H

158

Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc.

VR

321

A

205

Forest Oil Corporation

VR

380

A

340

Forest Oil Corporation

WC

205

AA-Q

60

Forest Oil Corporation

WC

205

A-P

60

Forest Oil Corporation

WC

205

A

60

Newfield Exploration Company

WC

522

A

177

   Area Key:

   EC – East Cameron
   EI – Eugene Island
   GC – Green Canyon
   HI – High Island
   SM – South Marsh Island
   SS – Ship Shoal
   ST – South Timbalier
   VR – Vermilion
   WC – West Cameron
               

 Table 6 – Pipelines Damaged by Hurricane Rita 

Large Diameter Pipelines with Damage (10” or greater)
in Federal Waters Only

Operator

Map Area

Block Number (starting point)

Diameter (inches)

Product

 Status

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

VR

245

30

Gas

Production resumed

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

ST

301

24

Oil

Production resumed

 ANR Pipeline Co

SM

108

24

Gas

Shut in

 ANR Pipeline Co

SM

137

24

Gas

Shut in

 ANR Pipeline Co    

VR

397

24

Gas

Shut in

 Gulfterra Field Services LLC

GC

237

20

Gas

Production resumed

 Transcontinental Gas Pipeline

SS

269

20

Gas

Production resumed

 Williams Field Services Co

SS

269

16

Gas

Shut in

 Chevron USA Inc

EI

252

16

Bulk oil

Production resumed

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

ST

50

16

Gas

Shut in

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

ST

24

16

Gas

Shut in

 Transcontinental Gas Pipeline

WC

110

16

Gas

Production resumed

 Gulf South Pipeline Company LP

EI

51

14

Gas

Shut in

 Shell Oil Co

SM

58

12

Oil

Shut in

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

EC

240

12

Oil

Shut in

 Gulfterra Field Services LLC

GC

237

12

Oil

Shut in

 Texas Eastern Transmission LP

EC

222

12

Gas

Shut in

 Gulfterra Field Services LLC

MC

582

12

Gas

Shut in

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

GI

115

12

Oil

Production resumed

 Equilon Pipeline Company LLC

GB

426

12

Gas

Production resumed

 Dynegy Midstream Services LIMI

WC

102

12

Gas

Production Resumed

 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co

EI

338

12

Gas

Shut in

 Chevron USA Inc

EI

338

12

Gas

Shut in

   Area Key:

   EC – East Cameron
   EI – Eugene Island
   GB – Garden Banks
   GC – Green Canyon
   GI – Grand Isle
   MC – Mississippi Canyon
   SM – South Marsh Island
   ST – South Timbalier
   VR – Vermilion
   WC – West Cameron 


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