May 1, 2013 -- Since the start of the deepwater containment exercise on April 30, BSEE inspectors have verified the final pre-deployment pressure tests of the capping stack and are monitoring as the stack and associated equipment are loaded onto a transport vessel. BSEE inspectors, engineers and oil spill response specialists are working to ensure that operations are being conducted safely and that the exercise objectives are being met in the areas of source control, capping stack deployment and effective interagency coordination.
The deepwater containment exercise involves the mobilization and field deployment of the capping stack to the sea floor in more than 5,000 feet of water, latching it to a test wellhead and pressurizing the system. The capping stack is a critical piece of equipment that has the ability to shut off any flow of oil from a well if other shut-off systems, such as the blowout preventer (BOP) fail. Following the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, the Interior Department instituted reforms that required offshore operators to have the ability to deploy containment resources, such as a capping stack, in response to a blowout or other loss of well control. For more information about post Deepwater Horizon reforms, please visit our reforms page.
BSEE and Noble Energy are keeping close watch on possible inclement weather that could delay deployment of the Helix Well Containment Group (HWCG) capping stack during a Containment Drill in the Gulf of Mexico Region.