Panel Discussion: Future of the Gulf of Mexico After Katrina and Rita

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe 2005 hurricane season will be forever remembered for the destruction delivered upon the Gulf of Mexico region. The one-two punch from Katrina and Rita battered eastern Texas to western Florida, causing massive damage and changed the course of life for millions. Due to planned evacuation of platforms in the Gulf, loss of life was avoided. However, the offshore oil and gas industry experienced the fury of these storms, with fixed and floating production structures, drilling rigs, and even pipelines suffering under the powerful winds and tall waves. The industry response was immediate in its efforts to ensure safety, bring relief to those affected in the community, and restore normalcy to the critical operations as quickly as possible. As the recovery efforts continue both onshore and offshore, the longer-term meaning of these events is beginning to be debated. Were Rita and Katrina extremely rare occurrences? Do these two hurricanes, together with Ivan in 2004, signal a need for recalibration of the design extremes? What changes are required to the way we work? Are the applicable codes, specifications, and recommended practices still appropriate? Has the risk been properly vetted in the new context of relatively few, but highly productive infrastructure points in the deepwater, and is it consistent from reservoir to refinery? Should temporarily moored rigs be better secured? The answer to these questions will significantly affect development decisions and the regulations under which work is executed in the future. A panel session is presented with members representing a broad swath of the industry to discuss the various stakeholders' response and potential changes in our characterization of the offshore Gulf of Mexico environment and the application of that new profile to the design and operation of oil and gas infrastructure. PrefaceThis manuscript, while not necessarily representing the opinions of the panelists, is intended to set the stage for a panel discussion on "The Gulf under Siege, The Effects of Katrina and Rita and the Future of the Gulf after Katrina and Rita" scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at the Offshore

A First‐Order Assessment of the Impact of Long‐Term Trends in Extreme Sea Levels on Offshore Structures and Coastal Refineries

“…Loss of production, either as a result of evacuation and shutdown of facilities, or because of structural damage, was highly signifi cant. From June through November 2005, an estimated 100 million barrels of crude oil and 525 billion cubic feet of gas were left in the ground due to hurricane activity (Balint and Orange 2006 ). This shut -in production had a signifi cant affect on prices for refi ned product.…”

Review on Fixed and Floating Offshore Structures. Part II: Sustainable Design Approaches and Project Management

“…As a result, the designs are carried out using peak loads generated by hurricane wind and waves during the platform design life [129][130][131][132][133][134][135]. In addition, fatigue loads induced by waves over the platform's lifetime, as well as platform motion, are all essential design challenges addressed by standards [136][137][138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152]. Strong currents can occasionally impact the platforms, putting the integrity of the entire system at a threat, hence the need for designing offshore structures against harsh weather conditions [153][154][155][156][157].…”