Apache probes sheen near platform, Oil and Gas Journal, January 18, 2011:
A hydrocarbon sheen was reported Jan. 16 during plugging and abandonment operations on East Cameron Block 278 Platform B in 168 ft of water 95 miles south of Cameron, La., Apache Corp. said.
Cause and source of the release are under investigation. Remotely operated vehicles and spill response vessels were dispatched to the platform.
Apache expects information from the ROV will help determine the source.
Apache shut-in due to a possible gas leak, One India, January 19, 2011:
Apache Corporation has reported a suspected natural gas leak at one of its Gulf of Mexico platforms...
It has consequently shut-in some of its nearby pipelines. ...
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) has informed that Apache had deployed a remotely operated vehicle "to evaluate the safety issues associated with re-boarding the platform".
It added that "planning has begun for the drilling of a relief well" in the event that the platform cannot be safely re-boarded.
h/t Soozla
Greaaaaaat. How close is this to Macondo??
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?level0=100
a lot of marine vessel activity !
Apache bought Platform B from BP in July 2010 [unused for a decade]. It paid BP $7 billion.
When gas bubbles, sediment and formation water rose to the top, Apache had the pipes shut-in to permanently seal the well, and evacuated the platform.
Obviously the *seal* is a failure.
I believe Macondo (A) is 10 miles from (B).
Billy Dale, God bless you!
I've used the map previously -- thanks to you, but things did wind down, so I did stop perusing the activities map.
BTW, I just view *tankers, moored, anchored, cargo, and unspecified. Are those the only ones that may be involved in an oil/gas disaster?
With over 27,000 abandoned wells out there and not much oversight, metal eating virus's, I think many are going to cause havoc for years to come. Gotta love the foresight given in these matters. : (
SHIPS: Tanks, cargo, unspecified, and moored.
1,703 GOM coast.