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GULF OF MEXICO OIL GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL ISSUESSPILL ISSUES

• Worst oil disaster until now in US was Worst oil disaster until now in US was the the US tanker Exxon Valdez in 1989, US tanker Exxon Valdez in 1989, which ran which ran aground in William Sound off aground in William Sound off Alaska.Alaska.

• The worst ever oil platform disaster The worst ever oil platform disaster was the was the explosion on the North sea explosion on the North sea platform Piper platform Piper Alpha in July 1988, Alpha in July 1988, almost 200 kilometres almost 200 kilometres north of north of Aberdeen in Scotland. 167 people Aberdeen in Scotland. 167 people were were killed and the damage amounted to killed and the damage amounted to almost a billion euros. 62 workers survived, almost a billion euros. 62 workers survived,

many of them by diving into the sea.many of them by diving into the sea.

GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL ISSUESISSUES

• In 1978, 360 kilometres of the coast of Brittany In 1978, 360 kilometres of the coast of Brittany was polluted with oil from the Liberian tanker was polluted with oil from the Liberian tanker Amoco Cadiz, which broke in two.Amoco Cadiz, which broke in two.

• In 1999, Erika, a tanker registered in Malta, ran In 1999, Erika, a tanker registered in Malta, ran into rocks off Brittany and polluted 200 into rocks off Brittany and polluted 200 kilometres of the French coastline.kilometres of the French coastline.

• In 1992, the Spanish Galician coast was In 1992, the Spanish Galician coast was polluted after the Greek tanker Aegean Sea polluted after the Greek tanker Aegean Sea broke in two and exploded.broke in two and exploded.

GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL ISSUESISSUES

• In the 1980s in particular, many oil In the 1980s in particular, many oil platforms capsized across the world as the platforms capsized across the world as the result of hurricanes, with hundreds of result of hurricanes, with hundreds of people losing their lives.people losing their lives.

• The worst ever oil platform disaster was The worst ever oil platform disaster was the explosion on the North sea platform the explosion on the North sea platform Piper Alpha in July 1988, almost 200 Piper Alpha in July 1988, almost 200 kilometres north of Aberdeen in Scotland. kilometres north of Aberdeen in Scotland. 167 people were killed and the damage 167 people were killed and the damage amounted to almost a billion euros. 62 amounted to almost a billion euros. 62 workers survived, many of them by diving workers survived, many of them by diving into the sea. into the sea.

Merchant Marine Act of Merchant Marine Act of 19201920

• Regulates Regulates maritime commercemaritime commerce in U.S. in U.S. waters and between U.S. ports.waters and between U.S. ports.

• Section 27Section 27, also known as the Jones Act, , also known as the Jones Act, deals with deals with cabotagecabotage (i.e., coastal shipping) (i.e., coastal shipping) and requires that all goods transported by and requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried in water between U.S. ports be carried in U.S.-flag ships, constructed in the United U.S.-flag ships, constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.permanent residents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_marine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabotage


• After Hurricane Katrina, George Bush After Hurricane Katrina, George Bush suspended the Jones Act which requires suspended the Jones Act which requires that ships plying trade between the US that ships plying trade between the US ports must be US registered and have a ports must be US registered and have a 75% US Crews (unionized Naturally).75% US Crews (unionized Naturally).

• Obama has not suspended this act Obama has not suspended this act meaning dozens of Skimmer ships- a type meaning dozens of Skimmer ships- a type of ship designed to clean oil form the sea, of ship designed to clean oil form the sea, the of which a \re European are the of which a \re European are unavailable to help contain the Gulf Of unavailable to help contain the Gulf Of Mexico spill.Mexico spill.


• Dutch ships are standing by. These have Dutch ships are standing by. These have not been allowed to enter US territorial not been allowed to enter US territorial waters, despite the request of a number waters, despite the request of a number of Local politicians from the effected areas of Local politicians from the effected areas (republicans).(republicans).

• The answer given will be because these The answer given will be because these ships don’t perfectly clean the water, and ships don’t perfectly clean the water, and leave small residue with the water they leave small residue with the water they pump back out of the storage tanks. The pump back out of the storage tanks. The real reason, of course, will be union real reason, of course, will be union pressure to sustain a despicable piece of pressure to sustain a despicable piece of typically American protectionismtypically American protectionism....


• ““Within a week of the explosion, 13 Within a week of the explosion, 13 countries, including several European countries, including several European nations, offered assistance from vessels nations, offered assistance from vessels and crews with experience in removing oil and crews with experience in removing oil spill debris, and as of June 21, the State spill debris, and as of June 21, the State Department has acknowledged that Department has acknowledged that overall, ‘it has had 21 aid offers from 17 overall, ‘it has had 21 aid offers from 17 countries.’ countries.’ However, due to the Jones Act, However, due to the Jones Act, these vessels are not permitted in U.S. these vessels are not permitted in U.S. waters,”waters,” McCain said. McCain said.

SKIMMERSSKIMMERS (SHIPS) (SHIPS)

• An oil skimmer is a An oil skimmer is a machinemachine that separates that separates a a liquidliquid from particles floating on it or from from particles floating on it or from another liquid. A common application is another liquid. A common application is removing oil floating on water. removing oil floating on water.

• They were used to great effect to assist in They were used to great effect to assist in the remediation of the Exxon Valdez spill the remediation of the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989.in 1989.

• Oil skimmers are commonly found in three Oil skimmers are commonly found in three types: weir, oleophilic, and drum:types: weir, oleophilic, and drum:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid

SKIMMERS (SHIPS)SKIMMERS (SHIPS)

• The U.S. Coast Guard can accept such help The U.S. Coast Guard can accept such help as miles of containment boom from as miles of containment boom from Canada, Canada, they can’t accept, and therefore they can’t accept, and therefore don’t ask for, the assistance of high-tech don’t ask for, the assistance of high-tech European vessels specifically designed for European vessels specifically designed for the task in hand.the task in hand.

• The Netherlands offered highly effective The Netherlands offered highly effective skimmers, which many parties recall as an skimmers, which many parties recall as an effective equipment to remove oil from effective equipment to remove oil from seawater and more important, it is seawater and more important, it is capable of processing large quantities of capable of processing large quantities of water dailywater daily

SKIMMERS (SHIPS)SKIMMERS (SHIPS)• Weir skimmers function by allowing the oil Weir skimmers function by allowing the oil

floating on the surface of the water to flow floating on the surface of the water to flow over a weir. The height of the weir may be over a weir. The height of the weir may be adjustable. (also known as a lowhead dam, adjustable. (also known as a lowhead dam, is a small overflow-type dam commonly is a small overflow-type dam commonly used to raise the level of a river or stream.) used to raise the level of a river or stream.)

Drum skimmers function by using a Drum skimmers function by using a rotating element such as a drum, to which rotating element such as a drum, to which the oil adheres. The oil is wiped from the the oil adheres. The oil is wiped from the surface of the drum and collected. They are surface of the drum and collected. They are very efficient and do not pick up any very efficient and do not pick up any appreciable amounts of water even when appreciable amounts of water even when oil is not present.oil is not present.

SKIMMERS (SHIPS)SKIMMERS (SHIPS)

Oleophilic skimmers are Oleophilic skimmers are distinguished not by their operation distinguished not by their operation but by the component used to collect but by the component used to collect the oil. Ropes, discs, or drums are the oil. Ropes, discs, or drums are treated with a substance or treated with a substance or otherwise manufactured to adhere to otherwise manufactured to adhere to oil.oil.

Pictorial view of skimmers on next Pictorial view of skimmers on next slideslide

June 28, 2010June 28, 2010

• Over 39,000 personnel, almost 5,000 Over 39,000 personnel, almost 5,000 vessels and some 110 aircraft are now vessels and some 110 aircraft are now engaged in the response effort engaged in the response effort

• Operations to skim oil from the surface of Operations to skim oil from the surface of the water now have recovered, in total, the water now have recovered, in total, approximately 652,000 barrels (27 million approximately 652,000 barrels (27 million gallons) of oily liquid. In addition, a total gallons) of oily liquid. In addition, a total of 275 controlled burns have been carried of 275 controlled burns have been carried out to date, removing an estimated out to date, removing an estimated 238,000 barrels of oil from the sea’s 238,000 barrels of oil from the sea’s surface.surface.

June 28,2010June 28,2010• The total length of containment boom The total length of containment boom

deployed as part of efforts to prevent oil deployed as part of efforts to prevent oil from reaching the coast is now over 2.9 from reaching the coast is now over 2.9 million feet (over 550 miles), and over 4.7 million feet (over 550 miles), and over 4.7 million feet (almost 900 miles) of sorbent million feet (almost 900 miles) of sorbent boom also has been deployed boom also has been deployed

• Maine Department of Environmental Maine Department of Environmental Protection says it is sending six people Protection says it is sending six people and two oil skimmers to help contain the and two oil skimmers to help contain the oil spill spewing into the Gulf of Mexico. oil spill spewing into the Gulf of Mexico.

• In Maine and just now being sent to the In Maine and just now being sent to the Gulf? Gulf?

June 28,2010June 28,2010

• Senator LeMieux; as of today and Senator LeMieux; as of today and emergency order has been made to emergency order has been made to relocate inventory (Skimmers) for ports relocate inventory (Skimmers) for ports around the country.around the country.

• It is being done as an urgency on day 70 It is being done as an urgency on day 70 according to the president;according to the president;

• It was urgent on day one was LeMieux’s It was urgent on day one was LeMieux’s response.response.

DEEPWATER DRILLING DEEPWATER DRILLING BANBAN

• Updated: 2:57 pm EDT June 29, 2010Updated: 2:57 pm EDT June 29, 2010

• NEW ORLEANS -- A federal appeals court NEW ORLEANS -- A federal appeals court in New Orleans will hear the government's in New Orleans will hear the government's appeal of a ruling overturning the appeal of a ruling overturning the deepwater drilling ban in the Gulf of deepwater drilling ban in the Gulf of Mexico on July 8.Mexico on July 8.

• case will be heard by a single judge or a case will be heard by a single judge or a three-judge panel. three-judge panel.

June 30, 2010June 30, 2010

• There are 850 skimmers in the southeast There are 850 skimmers in the southeast United States and 1,600 nationwide, but United States and 1,600 nationwide, but the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which requires regions to maintain levels of requires regions to maintain levels of equipment such as skimmers, is equipment such as skimmers, is preventing some resources from coming preventing some resources from coming to the Gulf. to the Gulf.

• 433 vessels are collecting oil from the 433 vessels are collecting oil from the runaway oil well, but only a third of them runaway oil well, but only a third of them are designed specifically for oil skimming.are designed specifically for oil skimming.

Back to the Jones Act June Back to the Jones Act June 30,201030,2010

• When it comes to the Jones Act, even less When it comes to the Jones Act, even less is happening. Adm. Allen has promised to is happening. Adm. Allen has promised to process waivers to the act quickly, but so process waivers to the act quickly, but so far none have been granted far none have been granted

• The admiral has downplayed the effect of The admiral has downplayed the effect of the law on the cleanup, but the the law on the cleanup, but the experience of Ecoceane, a French experience of Ecoceane, a French company with a fleet of skimming boats, company with a fleet of skimming boats, suggests that it is an impediment suggests that it is an impediment


• BP has declined an offer from Shell to bring BP has declined an offer from Shell to bring an oil recovery boat that is sitting idle in an oil recovery boat that is sitting idle in Alaska to the Gulf. "Nothing would prevent it Alaska to the Gulf. "Nothing would prevent it from working right now in the Gulf of from working right now in the Gulf of Mexico,'' said Curtis Smith, a Shell Mexico,'' said Curtis Smith, a Shell spokesman. spokesman.

• Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn of Texas, along with Sen. LeMieux, Cornyn of Texas, along with Sen. LeMieux, have proposed legislation to temporarily have proposed legislation to temporarily waive the Jones Act for oil spill response waive the Jones Act for oil spill response vessels.vessels.


• Vail of EcoOcean , he sold nine of the Vail of EcoOcean , he sold nine of the spill response boats to a Florida spill response boats to a Florida company last week, which made them company last week, which made them American boats and circumvented the American boats and circumvented the problems with the Jones Act.problems with the Jones Act.

THE WHALETHE WHALE

• Well, it has happened! they are going to Well, it has happened! they are going to allow the allow the “Whale”“Whale” to enter the gulf to to enter the gulf to skim. What is the skim. What is the “Whale”?“Whale”?

• It is 300 yards long. 10 stories high, and It is 300 yards long. 10 stories high, and can consume 21 million gallons of oil-can consume 21 million gallons of oil-fouled water a day.fouled water a day.

• It draws in the oil from ports on both sides It draws in the oil from ports on both sides of the bow, separates the oil, pumps it to of the bow, separates the oil, pumps it to a container ship, then ejects the water a container ship, then ejects the water back into the gulf.back into the gulf.

THE WHALETHE WHALE• Issues; the water it puts back into the Gulf Issues; the water it puts back into the Gulf

still has trace amounts of oil, and the EPA still has trace amounts of oil, and the EPA will have to sign off on it’s usewill have to sign off on it’s use. .

• This is a no brainer lots of oil in, trace This is a no brainer lots of oil in, trace amount out, mother nature will take care amount out, mother nature will take care of the trace amount, it is in the gulf and of the trace amount, it is in the gulf and ocean naturally alreadyocean naturally already..

• Issue; this was the same reason they Issue; this was the same reason they would not allow the Dutch Skimmer ships would not allow the Dutch Skimmer ships to come into the Gulf, go figure! They to come into the Gulf, go figure! They would have been here 71 days ago!would have been here 71 days ago!

• This is politics at its worst!This is politics at its worst!

IN CLOSINGIN CLOSING• 71 day late!71 day late!

• July 1, 2010: Blimps are being sent to the July 1, 2010: Blimps are being sent to the gulf to track the oil. It will be used to direct gulf to track the oil. It will be used to direct skimming operations.skimming operations.

• 10 congressman wanted to visit the gulf to 10 congressman wanted to visit the gulf to get a better understanding of the issue, get a better understanding of the issue, Pelosi denied payment for their trip?Pelosi denied payment for their trip?

• Miami and the Florida Keys face a 61 Miami and the Florida Keys face a 61 percent to 80 percent chance of being hit percent to 80 percent chance of being hit with tar balls from BP Plc’s oil spill in the with tar balls from BP Plc’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to U.S. Gulf of Mexico, according to U.S. projections.projections.

July 2, 2010 July 2, 2010

• Much of Florida’s west coast has a “low Much of Florida’s west coast has a “low probability” of “oiling” from the leak probability” of “oiling” from the leak

• Oil Reaching east-central Florida and the Oil Reaching east-central Florida and the Eastern Seaboard are 20 percent to less Eastern Seaboard are 20 percent to less than 1 percent, according to NOAA. than 1 percent, according to NOAA.

• Miami and the Florida Keys face a 61 Miami and the Florida Keys face a 61 percent to 80 percent chance of being hit percent to 80 percent chance of being hit with tar ballswith tar balls

July 2, 2010 New Containment cap July 2, 2010 New Containment cap IssuesIssues

• A week to 10 days, could let some of the A week to 10 days, could let some of the oil flow freely again into the gulf oil flow freely again into the gulf

• The ships now collecting oil, would be The ships now collecting oil, would be disconnected during that time. disconnected during that time.

• It Will boost the chances of success for It Will boost the chances of success for the relief well when it attempts to set a the relief well when it attempts to set a concrete plug near the bottom of the well. concrete plug near the bottom of the well.

• Easier for ships to disconnect and Easier for ships to disconnect and reconnect quickly if a storm blows in. reconnect quickly if a storm blows in.

July 2, 2010July 2, 2010

• The relief well to permanently seal the oil The relief well to permanently seal the oil leak is seven to eight days ahead of its leak is seven to eight days ahead of its early-August schedule,early-August schedule,

• If the new cap works, it could in theory If the new cap works, it could in theory capture up to 80,000 barrels of oil a day.capture up to 80,000 barrels of oil a day.

• Current estimates of the spewing oil are Current estimates of the spewing oil are 35,000 to 60,000 barrels a day,35,000 to 60,000 barrels a day,

• A steel cap that would be bolted on. And it A steel cap that would be bolted on. And it would connect to four riser pipeswould connect to four riser pipes

Update on Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Update on Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 19 July19 July

• At this time, the well integrity test on the MC252 At this time, the well integrity test on the MC252 exploratory well continues.exploratory well continues.

• During the test, the three ram capping stack has During the test, the three ram capping stack has been closed, shutting in the well. All sub-sea been closed, shutting in the well. All sub-sea containment systems (namely, the Q4000 and Helix containment systems (namely, the Q4000 and Helix Producer systems) have been temporarily suspended.Producer systems) have been temporarily suspended.

• To date, the total volume of oil collected or flared by To date, the total volume of oil collected or flared by the containment systems is approximately 826,800 the containment systems is approximately 826,800 barrels.barrels.

• Work on the first relief well, which started May 2, Work on the first relief well, which started May 2, continues. The well reached a depth of 17,864 feet as continues. The well reached a depth of 17,864 feet as of July 18thof July 18th


• BP today provided an update on BP today provided an update on developments in the response to the MC252 developments in the response to the MC252 oil well incident in the Gulf of Mexico.oil well incident in the Gulf of Mexico.

• With the guidance and approval of the With the guidance and approval of the National Incident Commander (NIC) and the National Incident Commander (NIC) and the leadership and direction of federal leadership and direction of federal government, relief well activities at the government, relief well activities at the MC252 well site will be temporarily MC252 well site will be temporarily suspended because of potentially adverse suspended because of potentially adverse weather associated with Tropical Storm weather associated with Tropical Storm Bonnie, which is projected to track into the Bonnie, which is projected to track into the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico.


• The MC252 well remains shut-in at The MC252 well remains shut-in at this time. The well has been shut-in this time. The well has been shut-in for integrity testing the past seven for integrity testing the past seven days.days.

• BP will continue to monitor the BP will continue to monitor the MC252 well as long as weather MC252 well as long as weather permits. Duration of the suspension permits. Duration of the suspension of relief well activities will be of relief well activities will be dependent on the weather.dependent on the weather.


• Work resumed in the Gulf of Mexico Work resumed in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday as Bonnie blew through without yesterday as Bonnie blew through without incidentincident..

• It could be Friday before workers get back It could be Friday before workers get back on-track and begin blasting heavy mud on-track and begin blasting heavy mud and cement through a valve in the newly and cement through a valve in the newly installed cap - all part of a multistep installed cap - all part of a multistep process to plug the leak for good.process to plug the leak for good.


• Within 48 hours, he said, workers Within 48 hours, he said, workers should be back in place and ready to should be back in place and ready to start laying the final piece of pipe start laying the final piece of pipe into the well bore that will allow into the well bore that will allow workers to begin pumping cement workers to begin pumping cement into the ruptured Deepwater Horizon into the ruptured Deepwater Horizon well owned by BP PLC. He estimated well owned by BP PLC. He estimated the process would take seven to 10 the process would take seven to 10 day day

UPDATE JULY 25UPDATE JULY 25

• Once the pipe, or casing, is Once the pipe, or casing, is cemented in place, BP will begin cemented in place, BP will begin the plugging process with a the plugging process with a "static kill" the first week of "static kill" the first week of August, retired Coast Guard August, retired Coast Guard Adm.Thad Allen told reporters at Adm.Thad Allen told reporters at a briefing. a briefing.


• While the cement dries, workers will start While the cement dries, workers will start pumping drilling mud into the well. Allen pumping drilling mud into the well. Allen said it would take five to seven days for said it would take five to seven days for the cement to dry. Then, the first of two the cement to dry. Then, the first of two drilling platforms will be ready to start drilling platforms will be ready to start drilling into the well annulus, itself. drilling into the well annulus, itself.

• Readings taken from the site indicated Readings taken from the site indicated pressure of 6,891 pounds per square inch pressure of 6,891 pounds per square inch as of midnight Friday, an increase of 14 as of midnight Friday, an increase of 14 psi over the previous 24 hourspsi over the previous 24 hours. .

Pictorial view of the Relief Pictorial view of the Relief WellsWells

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