Case Study-gulf of Mexico Oil Spillage

8/6/2019 Case Study-gulf of Mexico Oil Spillage

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CASE STUDY-GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILLAGE

By

M.Arumugaselvi (E261)

S.Rajiv (E262)

L.Manimaran (E263)


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ContentsContents

About DeepWater Horizon RIG and Explosion.About DeepWater Horizon RIG and Explosion.

Actions taken by BP to stem the oil leakage.Actions taken by BP to stem the oil leakage.

Spill Management by BP, the effects of the oil spill.Spill Management by BP, the effects of the oil spill.


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Deepwater Horizon RigDeepwater Horizon Rig

Dynamically positioned, SemiDynamically positioned, Semi--Submersible offshore oil drillingSubmersible offshore oil drillingrig.rig.

Owned by .Owned by .

Leased to British Petroleum .Leased to British Petroleum .

Cost of the RIG was US$560Cost of the RIG was US$560million.million.

Located in the Gulf of Mexico atLocated in the Gulf of Mexico atthe depth of water 5,000 feetthe depth of water 5,000 feet

(1524 m).(1524 m).


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Features ofFeatures ofDWH (Rig)DWH (Rig)

Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, Completed on 2001.Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, Completed on 2001.

Commissioned by R&B Falcon.Commissioned by R&B Falcon.

LengthLength --> 112 m , Height 97.4 m.> 112 m , Height 97.4 m.

In 2002,the RIG was upgraded with eIn 2002,the RIG was upgraded with e--drill (A drilldrill (A drillmonitoring system whereby Received realmonitoring system whereby Received real--time drillingtime drillingdata from the RIG and transmitted maintenance anddata from the RIG and transmitted maintenance andTroubleshooting information).Troubleshooting information).


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Achievements ofDWH (Rig)Achievements ofDWH (Rig)

The SEP 2009,The RIG drilled theThe SEP 2009,The RIG drilled theworlds deepest oil well in history atworlds deepest oil well in history ata vertical depth of 35,055 ft in thea vertical depth of 35,055 ft in theTiber field at Keatheley Canyon.Tiber field at Keatheley Canyon.


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Lack of Regulation, Safety andLack of Regulation, Safety andInspectionInspection

Bureau of Ocean Energy (BOE) is the regulatory andBureau of Ocean Energy (BOE) is the regulatory andinspection body for offshore oil drilling and RIG in USA.inspection body for offshore oil drilling and RIG in USA.

Absent of certain safety documentation and emergencyAbsent of certain safety documentation and emergency

procedure documentationprocedure documentation Monthly inspection for first 40 monthsMonthly inspection for first 40 months

But 25% of inspections were omitted.But 25% of inspections were omitted.

CITATIONS:CITATIONS:4 of which were in 2002 (safety,including4 of which were in 2002 (safety,including

blowoutblowout preventer ).preventer ).

1 for pollution1 for pollution


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Deepwater Horizon oil spillDeepwater Horizon oil spill

LocationLocation--Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico

Spill DateSpill Date--2020thth April.April.

Well officially sealedWell officially sealed--1919thth September.September.

Spilled volumeSpilled volume--4900000 barrels.4900000 barrels.

Spill areaSpill area--6500 to 180000 km6500 to 180000 km2.2.


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SankSank

The Resulting fireThe Resulting firecould not becould not beextinguished.extinguished.

On 22On 22ndnd AprilApril2010,Deepwater2010,DeepwaterHorizon was sank.Horizon was sank.

Caused the largestCaused the largestoffshore oil spill inoffshore oil spill inunited sates history.united sates history.


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Explosion and leakageExplosion and leakage

CAUSESCAUSES

Failure of cement forFailure of cement forthe temporary capping.the temporary capping.

Failure of Blind shearFailure of Blind shearrams of Blow Outrams of Blow Out

Preventer.Preventer.


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Location of leaksLocation of leaks

There were three major leaks happened followedThere were three major leaks happened followed

by the explosion.by the explosion.

1.1. At the end of the riser pipe.At the end of the riser pipe.

2.2. At the near middle of the riser pipe.At the near middle of the riser pipe.

3.3. Very nearer to the BOP.Very nearer to the BOP.


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Leak ArrestingLeak Arresting

Leak at the riser pipes end was closed using anLeak at the riser pipes end was closed using anend cap.end cap.

For the middle one, BP planned to arrest the leakFor the middle one, BP planned to arrest the leak

using a domed container.using a domed container.

But the formation of Hydrate Crystals made thatBut the formation of Hydrate Crystals made thatattempt unsuccessful.attempt unsuccessful.

BP Engineers blocked this leak with the help of anBP Engineers blocked this leak with the help of aninsertion tube.insertion tube.


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The 6 Insertion tube was connected with the 21The 6 Insertion tube was connected with the 21riser pipe using rubber diaphragms as above toriser pipe using rubber diaphragms as above tofunnel off the leaking oil.funnel off the leaking oil.


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TTOPOP KillKill


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Top Kill (26Top Kill (26thth May)May)

Arresting of the leak nearer to the BOP known asArresting of the leak nearer to the BOP known asTOP KILL became a very big challenge to BP.TOP KILL became a very big challenge to BP.

It involves pumping heavy drilling mud with largeIt involves pumping heavy drilling mud with large

proportion of clay into BOP under high pressure.proportion of clay into BOP under high pressure.

Access to the BOP was given from manifold systemAccess to the BOP was given from manifold systemof pipes and valves to the choke and kill bypassesof pipes and valves to the choke and kill bypassesof BOP.of BOP.


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Junk ShotJunk Shot -- A mixture containingA mixture containing RubberRubber

Golf ballsGolf balls

Rope pieces.Rope pieces.

was also injected to help in blocking the flow.was also injected to help in blocking the flow.


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LMRP (2LMRP (2ndnd June)June)

The riser pipe section nearer to BOP was cutThe riser pipe section nearer to BOP was cutand removed.and removed.

A capping device known as the Lower MarineA capping device known as the Lower Marine

Riser Package or LMRP is lowered down to BOPRiser Package or LMRP is lowered down to BOPfor capturing the leaking oil.for capturing the leaking oil.

Since this cap was not a tight fit, it failed toSince this cap was not a tight fit, it failed tostop leaking.stop leaking.

Even though it collected about 15,000 barrelsEven though it collected about 15,000 barrelsper day.per day.


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Capped BOPCapped BOP


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BP Engineers gave a route for oil by connectingBP Engineers gave a route for oil by connectingthe lines used in the top kill procedure to athe lines used in the top kill procedure to afloating rig called Q4000 on 16floating rig called Q4000 on 16thth June.June.

Q4000 managed to collect about 10,000 barrelsQ4000 managed to collect about 10,000 barrelsper day.per day.

On 10On 10thth July the LMRP cap is removed andJuly the LMRP cap is removed and

replaced with a tightly fitting capping stack.replaced with a tightly fitting capping stack.

With the sealing cap fitted all rams inside areWith the sealing cap fitted all rams inside areturned off.turned off.

What next for BP?What next for BP?


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Oil RecoveryOil Recovery


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Finally BP stopped the oilFinally BP stopped the oilflow for the first timeflow for the first timesince 20since 20ththApril.April.

Tests were also conductedTests were also conductedfor further possible leaks.for further possible leaks.

The results tests wereThe results tests werepositive.positive.

Tightly fitted capTightly fitted cap


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Static KillStatic Kill

This mission was started on 3This mission was started on 3rdrd August.August.

Drilling mud was pumped into the well and theDrilling mud was pumped into the well and thereservoir through BOP at a rate of 2 barrels perreservoir through BOP at a rate of 2 barrels per

minuteminute

After eight hours of operation the well wasAfter eight hours of operation the well wassaid to be in Static Condition.said to be in Static Condition.

Simultaneously working on relief wells continued.Simultaneously working on relief wells continued.

From August 5From August 5thth cement was also added to keepcement was also added to keepthe well tight.the well tight.


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Killed WellKilled Well

On September 16On September 16thth,One of the relief wells was,One of the relief wells wasmade to intersect with the well head.made to intersect with the well head.

Complete sealing of the well was carried out byComplete sealing of the well was carried out bypumping the cement through the relief well also.pumping the cement through the relief well also.

Finally BP succeeded in killing the well by 19Finally BP succeeded in killing the well by 19thth ofof

September.September.


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Efforts to protect the coastline &Efforts to protect the coastline &

marine equipmentsmarine equipments

CONTAINMENTCONTAINMENT

EFFORTS DISPERSALEFFORTS DISPERSAL

REMOVALREMOVAL


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ContainmentContainment

oo Oil containmentOil containment

boomboomBP installed $4.5millionBP installed $4.5million

worth boom, forworth boom, for2500miles.2500miles.

Convenient, Foldable andConvenient, Foldable andLightweightLightweight

Uses are Deflection,Uses are Deflection,Collection and Protection.Collection and Protection.

oo Barrier island planBarrier island planBuilding sand berms offBuilding sand berms off

the coast, to catch the oilthe coast, to catch the oilbefore it reached thebefore it reached thewetlands.wetlands.

..


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DispersalDispersal

Spilled oil disperses, naturally.Spilled oil disperses, naturally.Chemical Dispersants accelerateChemical Dispersants accelerate

that process.that process.

Corexit EC9500A and CorexitCorexit EC9500A and CorexitEC9527A were employed asEC9527A were employed asprincipal dispersants.principal dispersants.

Corexit=4100 m3(on the surface).Corexit=4100 m3(on the surface).

Corexit=4200 m3(under the sea).Corexit=4200 m3(under the sea).

Dispersants can cause GeneticDispersants can cause Geneticmutations and Cancer.mutations and Cancer.


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RemovalRemovalBurning the oil (InBurning the oil (In--situsitu

burning).burning).

25% of the oil had been25% of the oil had beenremoved from gulf, as perremoved from gulf, as perNOAA.NOAA.

9200092000--tones of oily solidstones of oily solidswere removed from thewere removed from theGulf coast beach.Gulf coast beach.

BP had spent $16 billion onBP had spent $16 billion on

restoration and cleanup.restoration and cleanup.

OilOil--eating bacteria can beeating bacteria can beused to clean the oilused to clean the oil

CategoryCategory EstimateEstimate

Direct recovery fromDirect recovery fromwellheadwellhead 17%17%

Burned at the surfaceBurned at the surface

5%5%Skimmed from theSkimmed from thesurfacesurface 3%3%

Chemically dispersedChemically dispersed 8%8%

Naturally dispersedNaturally dispersed

16%16%Evaporated orEvaporated ordissolveddissolved 25%25%

Residual remainingResidual remaining26%26%


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Effects of oil spillEffects of oil spill

Oil+Water=Mousse (sticky substance).Oil+Water=Mousse (sticky substance).

Damage the airways of Birds and Animals.Damage the airways of Birds and Animals.

Chemicals that are inhaled may damage liver,Chemicals that are inhaled may damage liver,immune systems, brain function lead to death.immune systems, brain function lead to death.

Fish larvae, turtle eggs also damage.Fish larvae, turtle eggs also damage.

Sea grass and coral also affect.Sea grass and coral also affect.

Oil or Dispersants on the sea can causeOil or Dispersants on the sea can causeskin irritation, chemical burns and infections.skin irritation, chemical burns and infections.


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ConsequencesConsequences

oo EcologyEcology As of NovAs of Nov--10, 681410, 6814--DeadDead

animals collected.animals collected.

Birds like pelicans,heronsBirds like pelicans,heronsand Sea Turtles.and Sea Turtles.

Fishes, Dolphins and otherFishes, Dolphins and other

mammals.mammals.

Shrimps, Crabs, PyrosomesShrimps, Crabs, Pyrosomesand Coral reefs alsoand Coral reefs alsoaffected.affected.

Four Bird rehabilitationFour Bird rehabilitation

centers, seven marinecenters, seven marinemammal and Sea turtlemammal and Sea turtlerehabilitation centers wererehabilitation centers wereopened.opened.


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Economic impactsEconomic impacts

Between AprBetween Apr--20 and jul20 and jul--15,2010, almost 515,2010, almost 5--millionmillionbarrels of oil were released into the gulf.barrels of oil were released into the gulf.

From that, 800000From that, 800000--barrels captured.barrels captured.

Fisheries and Tourism affected, directly.Fisheries and Tourism affected, directly.

As per NOAA, 20% of U.S Oyster production, 75%As per NOAA, 20% of U.S Oyster production, 75%of U.S Shrimp production depends the Gulf coast.of U.S Shrimp production depends the Gulf coast.

No Fishing allowed, about oneNo Fishing allowed, about one--third of the Gulf.third of the Gulf.

The waters had been reopened to fishing onThe waters had been reopened to fishing onNovNov--15, 2010.15, 2010.

Contd..


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Many people cancelled theirMany people cancelled their

vacations due to the spill.vacations due to the spill.Fall in real estate prices.Fall in real estate prices.

BP announced plans to spend $78BP announced plans to spend $78million to help Louisiana tourism.million to help Louisiana tourism.

The Bay Area TouristDevelopmentThe Bay Area TouristDevelopmentCouncil announced many offersCouncil announced many offerssuch as free golf, assurances andsuch as free golf, assurances andrefunds.refunds.

As at 2010, the rig was insured forAs at 2010, the rig was insured for

US $560 million.US $560 million.

The sum covering its replacementThe sum covering its replacementcost and wreckage removal.cost and wreckage removal.


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References..References..

http://en.wikipedia.org?wiki/Deepwater_Horizonhttp://en.wikipedia.org?wiki/Deepwater_Horizon

http://www.nwf.orghttp://www.nwf.org..

http://http:// www.oceana.orgwww.oceana.org

http://http:// www.//bbc.co.uk//newswww.//bbc.co.uk//news..

http://www.nasdaq.comhttp://www.nasdaq.com..

http://www.doi.gov//newshttp://www.doi.gov//news..


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Queries?Queries?


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Case Study-gulf of Mexico Oil Spillage