To keep preparedness and response technology in step with evolving deepwater-drilling capabilities, three prominent industry groups have taken the initiative to develop best practices for subsea well intervention and oil-spill response and cleanup.
The National Ocean Industries Association, Independent Petroleum Association of America and the American Petroleum Institute will lead two newly formed task forces for the offshore oil and gas industry. The task forces will consult with equipment manufacturers, subsea specialists, spill experts and deepwater contractors and make recommendations for improving future response and containment efforts to the government and public.
The task forces also supplement two previously announced task forces, developed with the assistance of API in May, which focus on offshore equipment and operating practices.
NOIA president Randall Luthi introduced the formation of additional task forces while testifying before the House Natural Resources Committee in May.
“A recurring theme raised by the ongoing spill in the Gulf of Mexico is that the technology exists to drill successfully in deeper and deeper water, but the technology to respond to the release of oil in these environments appears not to have kept pace. These new task forces will address that and other questions,” he said.
According to IPAA president and chief executive Barry Russell, “Independent oil and natural gas producers hold 90% of the offshore leases. Offshore energy production is a safety net against increased reliance on foreign oil, but with this production comes important responsibilities like protecting the safety of our workforce and employing every technology possible to care for the environment.”
One of the task forces will focus on subsea well-control and response efforts and will address technologies and practices for controlling the release of oil from its source. As well, the task force will review equipment designs; testing protocols; research and development; regulations and documentation; and recently deployed intervention procedures, such as “junk shot” and “top kill.”
An additional task force will look at planning and pre-staging of assets; mechanical recovery methods; the toxicity and application of dispersants; shoreline protection issues; bio remediation; unconventional response technologies; wetlands protection; and the use of volunteers.
API president and chief executive Jack Gerard says, “As an industry, we are continually reviewing our practices and improving where necessary, all areas of operations, especially in light of this tragedy. We will be working across our industry, bringing together experts and specialists, to improve safety and environmental performance by learning from any gaps identified in the handling of this spill.”
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