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In This Issue

  1. Register Now for the DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop
  2. Reconsideration of Natural Gas Pipeline MAOP for Class Locations
  3. Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Damage Technical Workshop
  4. Integrity Management Services
  5. Hurricane Impacts in the Gulf of Mexico
  6. Need to Update your Response Plan (FRP, ICP or OSRP)?
  7. Hurricane Response Conference Set For March
  8. O&M Manual Up-To-Date?
  9. Safe Excavation and Backfilling Advisory
  10. OPS Clarification of Public Awareness Requirements
  11. Need to make sure your Public Awareness Program meets API RP 1162 standards?
  12. Liquid Pipeline Integrity Data on the Web
  13. RCP Services Spotlight – RCP Auditing, Due Diligence and Expert Witness Services
  14. Gas Gathering Line – Definition, TPSSC Meeting
  15. Need to Update Your Current Operator Qualification Program?
  16. New Chief of PHMSA?
  17. PHMSA Web Site Initiative
  18. RCP’s Fantastic 1-Page Version of SPCC Regulation
  19. Excavation Monitoring and Observation
  20. Will your SPCC Plan pass an EPA inspection based on the new SPCC Inspectors’ Guidance document?
  21. Revision to Gas Integrity Management Inspection Protocols

Hurricane Impacts in the Gulf of Mexico

The US Minerals Management Service (MMS) has just released its analysis of the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. The report details:

  • the destruction of 115 oil platforms and the damage of 52 others;
  • the damage of 183 pipelines, 64 of those major pipelines larger than 10″ in diameter; and
  • 418 “minor” pollution incidents. (A minor incident is less than 500 barrels of oil spilled that doesn’t reach the coastline.)

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were the greatest natural disasters to oil and gas development in the history of the Gulf of Mexico according to Chris Oynes, Regional Director of the U.S. Minerals Management Service. 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 of the hurricanes.

Because of the large amount of infrastructure in the path of hurricane-force winds and waves, the amount of damage was substantial. Category 4 Rita actually caused more destruction and damage than Category 5 Katrina, according to the tally, due to its path.

The full MMS report is available at: http://www.mms.gov/ooc/press/2006/press0119.htm.