brikk, what would be interesting is how many pre-1988 platforms are still around as these are more susceptible. Also, now there are well defined procedures to evacuate personnel and shut production under certain conditions. Key places where I see DDI/Mako actively involved:
production process to safely and quickly restart, delivering
vital energy supplies to U.S. Consumers.
o Re-starting shut-in production is a complex process with well-defined stages:
o Visual Inspection of Affected Area: Operators perform fly-by inspections of facilities for preliminary assessment of damage.
o Pre-Boarding Safety Meeting: Facility personnel and managers
meet to review post-storm inspection information.
o Damage Assessment: Core personnel return to the facility to conduct a more thorough review, which may be complemented by
data underwater ROVs (Remotely-Operated Vehicles).
o Equipment Integrity Verification: Review of the physical topside structure and the pipelines is completed.
o Safety System Function Test: Individual systems are brought back on-line to be tested one at a time.
o Facility Startup.
o Damaged pipelines on the seafloor are the most frequent impediment to re-starting the flow of energy to consumers. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, some companies asked for and received authorization from MMS to bypass damaged pipelines using barging and tankering operations.
o In some cases, “jumper” pipelines have been laid to connect major pipeline arteries on the seafloor. This will allow for oil and gas flows to be redirected around damaged sections.
o Companies are already pre-positioning equipment and resources
around the region so they can deploy as soon as the danger has passed.
These resources include diving teams and ROV vessels to assess the condition of underwater pipelines, wells and connections, and spill response equipment and personnel.