International Activities

This was a Joint Industry Project (JIP) between MMS and Environment Canada to evaluate two different atomization systems to be used in a catamaran-type burner to recover high viscosity oils. The burning of oil slicks on water is ineffective when initial slick thickness is less than 3 mm. Clean combustion of an oil slick can be achieved when the oil is atomized directly at the water surface. Two different methods can be used for atomization; acoustic energy or air pressure.

Arthur D. Little, Inc., under cooperative sponsorship from the Minerals Management Service and the Air Pollution Control District, Santa Barbara, conducted a 2-day workshop on the technologies to reduce the exhaust output of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from Outer Continental Shelf operations. Both gas turbine and diesel engine modifications, fuels, and exhaust treatment processes were addressed. The final report from Project No. 126, was used as a basic document for use in the workshop.

The objective was to develop and apply a methodology for comparison of alternative production systems. While the methodology will be applied in this project to two configurations of a tension leg platform (TLP), it will be applicable to any comparative analysis of alternatives. The methodology is intended to be an engineering procedure that will assist in the process of making rational comparisons.

This was a Joint Industry Project (JIP) with Environment Canada to evaluate and optimize the design of an innovative oil spill containment barrier. The barrier uses high pressure water and fine droplets above and parallel to the water surface resulting in a high velocity local wind. This wind drives the surface oil in front of it but the near surface water layer is not as affected as it would be with conventional mechanical containment booms. Phase I of the project focused on field testing of various nozzle configurations and jet velocities.

This is a Joint Industry Project (JIP) between MMS and Environment Canada to study oil behavior and oil properties, particularly those of heavy oils. The study includes: buoyancy behavior, solubility, evaporation, dispersion, photo-oxidation, and emulsification. Several information gaps were identified on the behavior of oils where more experimental work is needed: 1) the kinetics of oil emulsification; 2) the rate of solubilization; and 3) the rate of dispersion.

The Minerals Management Service and the Conservation and Protection Agency, Environment Canada, have evaluated two new oil spill chemical additives during a series of intentional oil spills off the Canadian coast during September 1987. One chemical agent modified the visco-elastic properties of the spilled oil to enhance its recoverability using conventional mechanical techniques. The second chemical agent inhibited the formation of oil-water emulsions which are not readily captured using existing recovery techniques.

The Minerals Management Service and Conservation and Protection Agency, Environment Canada, initiated open ocean oil spill response equipment performance evaluations in 1984. The objective of this study was to develop a nonpolluting and cost-effective testing procedure. This standardized testing would provide a predictive capability for the behavior of each piece of equipment in a range of sea states. This standardized test procedure could be used to approve specific pieces of equipment for different lease areas.

This was a Joint Industry Project (JIP), to develop a methodology to assess the integrity of existing steel offshore platforms that are reaching the latter part of their intended lives. Many of these platforms can be used for economical extended service provided they are fully evaluated for the effects of damage sustained during their service lives. This evaluation included assessments of damage to serviceability and ultimate strength of the structures and evaluation of repair measures that preserve essential safety and economic objectives.

This is a Joint Industry Project (JIP) sponsored jointly by MMS, Conoco, Chevron, ABS, DOE of the United Kingdom, and Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The objective of the research program was to improve the understanding of pile-soil interaction during cyclic tension loading. The project has two parts: a laboratory model pile test program for investigation of model pile segments subjected to realistic loading conditions and a field test program composed of both small and large scale instrumented pile tests.

This was a joint industry-wide cooperative research project; it was composed of 15 different organizations. The general purpose of the project was to evaluate the safety against foundation failure for jack-up platforms. The research is being conducted to gain a better insight into the soil-structure stability phenomenon and how it related to the overall response of the structure. Current design procedures will be analyzed to define critical parameters and proposed measures to reduce risk and improve reliability.