MMS Funds Studies for Hurricane Ivan Impact in GoM

The Minerals Management Service has awarded six contracts totaling over $600,000 for studies of the Impact of Hurricane Ivan on the offshore oil and gas structures of the Gulf of Mexico. These studies will analyze and assess the consequential damage to structures and pipelines, determine the effectiveness of current design standards and pollution-prevention systems and develop recommendations for changes to industry standards and MMS regulations, if needed.

Johnnie Burton, Director of the MMS, stated that, "We are very pleased that, in spite of the 140 miles per hour winds of Hurricane Ivan, there was no loss of life and no significant pollution. We attribute this to the well built facilities and the noble efforts to maintain and operate them. However, there is still room to improve. In the wake of this hurricane, 31 platforms were seriously damaged, several were destroyed, and more than ten percent of Gulf of Mexico production was interrupted for at least four months. Studies like these will help MMS continue to ensure that the safe, clean operation of the offshore industry will be able to withstand even hurricanes like Ivan."

Projects were awarded competitively, and through cooperative agreements with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station in support of the Offshore Technology Research Center.

Burton said, "These studies will address short- and long-term adjustments in MMS's technical, engineering, and geologic standards and regulations to ensure that offshore oil and gas production remains safe, environmentally friendly, and less susceptible to interruption."

Awards Granted

• Texas A&M University, Offshore Technology Research Center, "Assessment of Drilling and Workover Rig Storm Sea Fastenings on Offshore Floating Platforms During Hurricane Ivan"
• Offshore Risk & Technology Consulting, Inc., "Examination and Review MODU Loss of Stationkeeping Ability During Hurricane Ivan and Assess Mooring Standards and Criteria to Prevent Similar Failures"
• Det Norske Veritas, "Pipeline Damage Assessment from Hurricane Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico"
• Energo Engineering, Inc., "Assessment of Fixed Offshore Platform Performance in Hurricanes Ivan, Andrew and Lili"
• Texas A&M University, Offshore Technology Research Center, "Mudflows and Mudslides During Hurricane Ivan"
• William Lettis & Associates, Inc., "A Pilot Study for Regionally-Consistent Hazard Susceptibility Mapping of Submarine Mudslides"