JSM Export Pipeline Project Awarded to Saipem America
In the US sector of the Gulf of Mexico, Saipem has been awarded the contract for the Walker Ridge export pipeline, in the framework of the development of the Jack and Saint Malo (JSM) fields, by Amberjack Pipeline Company LLC, a partnership between Chevron Pipe Line Company and Shell Pipeline Company LP, located approximately 450 kilometres (280 miles) south of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Walker Ridge area of the US Gulf. The scope of work encompasses the transportation and installation of a crude oil export pipeline, 61 cm (24 inches) in diameter, which will have a length of 220 kilometres (136 miles), reaching a maximum water depth of 2,140 metres (7,000 feet), connecting the JSM Floating Production Unit.
Hurricane Pollution Recovery Ops Update
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, federal, state, local and industry personnel continue to work together to conduct pollution recovery operations to mitigate further damage to the environment. - Crude oil that remains in the tank is being offloaded into a barge. - Damage to the pipeline resulted from a breach in a hurricane protection levee. The line has been de-pressurized and is no longer leaking. The area has been boomed and crews continue to clean-up pockets of oil using absorbent materials. - One 420,000 gallon capacity removal barge has been filled with oil from the secondary containment pond and has disembarked for the Valero Energy refinery at Krotz Springs. - A 1.26 million gallon capacity removal barge is now being filled. - 502,236 gallons recovered as of Sunday.
Pollution Response in Katrina's Wake
The Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Louisiana are working together with local industries to recover spilled oil and mitigate further environmental damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Federal On Scene Coordinator has established a forward operating base in Baton Rouge, La., to coordinate the pollution response efforts. The Murphy Oil Corporation, near Chalmette, estimated 16,000 barrels of oil have been discharged, with the vast majority contained within the existing secondary containment unit located on refinery property. Oil recovery operations are currently on going. During the hurricane, an unknown quantity of oil escaped the secondary containment and affected the surrounding neighborhoods.
