Investigation Report
Oil Release from Permanently Abandoned Subsea Well
12-30-2009 0900 G16645 MC/737 Pollution
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Environmental protectionHydrocarbon releaseRegulation and legislationWell controlWell integrity
- DrillingPressure testingWell abandonmentWell intervention
- Blowout preventerWellhead
- Emergency responseNon-destructive testingWell-barrier testing
- Upstream oil and gas
- Marine watersSubsea
Summary
Investigation of an oil release from a permanently abandoned subsea well in the Gulf of Mexico examines drilling, cement placement, plug verification and delayed well-control response. The specific cause remained unresolved because deeper plugs could not be reached. Findings identify possible contributing factors and propose research and regulatory changes.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Well control; kick control; loss of well control.
Classifications: Well integrity; well life cycle integrity.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Well abandonment; plug and abandonment; P&A.
Classifications: Well intervention; workover; well servicing.
Classifications: Blowout preventer; BOP; blow-out preventer.
Classifications: Wellhead; well head.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Non-destructive testing; NDT; non-destructive examination; NDE.
Classifications: Well-barrier testing; well barrier verification.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Marine waters.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.