Harnessing a decade of data to inform future decisions: Insights into the ongoing hydrocarbon release at Taylor Energy's Mississippi Canyon Block 20 (MC20) site

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:155

Article

Bryant, Wade L.¹  Camilli, Richard²  Fisher, G. Burch³  Overton, Edward B.⁴  Reddy, Christopher M.⁵  Reible, Danny⁶  Swarthout, Robert F.⁷  Valentine, David L.^8,9 

[1] CK Associates, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 USA

[2] Navistry Corp, Jackson, WY 83001 USA

[3] Univ Calif Santa Barbara, Earth Res Inst, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA

[4] Louisiana State Univ, Dept Environm Sci, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA

[5] Makepeace Environm Solut LLC, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA

[6] Texas Tech Univ, Dept Civil & Environm Engn, Lubbock, TX 79409 USA

[7] Appalachian State Univ, Dept Chem, Boone, NC 28608 USA

[8] Univ Calif Santa Barbara, Dept Earth Sci, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA

[9] Univ Calif Santa Barbara, Marine Sci Inst, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA

关键词: MC20;    Drilling fluids;    Taylor energy;    Unified command;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111056

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

The release of oil and gas at Mississippi Canyon Block 20 into the Gulf of Mexico has vexed response officials since 2004 when a regional seafloor failure toppled the Taylor Energy Company platform. Despite the completion of nine intervention wells, releases continue from the seafloor, mostly captured by a recently installed containment system. Toward informing resolution, this work applies chemical forensic and statistical analyses to surface sheens, sediments, and reservoir oil samples. Our results indicate sheens are chemically heterogeneous, contain remnant synthetic hydrocarbons likely discharged from well interventions prior to 2012, and require mixing of multiple chemically-distinct oil groups to explain observed variability in diagnostic ratios. Given the respite and opportunity afforded by containment we suggest leveraging ongoing collection activities to assess release dynamics, as well as engaging the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, to evaluate potential solutions, associated risks, and to consider policy ramifications.

【 授权许可】

Free