This study provided a review of the state of the art practices as of 2009 in the removal and disposal of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas facilities in water depths greater than 400 feet.
The objective of the project is to update and refine the MMS bonding database and associated cost curves; describe the purpose, requirements, and constraints and limitations of bonding mechanisms, and to develop alternative risk-adjusted bonding formulas for MMS review.
The objective of this study was to measure the effects of charge placement techniques and depth (15, 20, 25, and 30 feet below the mudline) to determine the charge's impact to the marine environment. These tests will generate new data for use by MMS and other agencies to verify the added safety benefits to personnel, lower environmental effects, and provide additional mitigation achieved by increasing the depth below mudline for charge placement.
This PhD study is carrying out a detailed and focused analysis of the hazards, the causes and effects of underwater gaseous explosions. Once the causes are established, the studies will lead on to an investigation and appraisal of methods of mitigation, with the goal of eliminating the risk to divers.
When a subsea pipeline reaches the end of its useful life, it must be abandoned or removed. Currently, subsea pipelines are de-inventoried and purged until the hydrocarbon levels are undetectable before abandoning them in place or the pipeline is de-inventoried and purged until the hydrocarbon levels are undetectable before recovering the pipe as scrap. The common practice in both the U.S. waters and the North Sea is to abandon the pipeline in place which, for this study, was used as a baseline for comparison against other removal options currently used around the world.
The purpose of this project was to compare the safety risks associated with completely removing 3 representative platforms from the POCSR. There were 2 phases:
Conduct an MMS forum of Decommissioning safety issues; Conduct a risk assessment.
This project will design, fabricate and test new shaped or fracture charges to more efficiently sever platform structural members.
To determine the technology of removing large platforms located in deep water. Large California platforms will be used to determine the methods of removal including economic and environmental issues. The report is available.
To assist MMS in scoping and preparing regulations for the flushing, handling, and future decommissioning of out-of-service pipelines.
Cancelled
