Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response - natural seep suspected

[Pathfinder]

Shell Oil reports light oil slick offshore in Gulf

HOUSTON (AP) - Shell Oil reports that it has mobilized an oil spill response vessel after a light, 10-square-mile oil slick was spotted between 2 of its major production sites in the Gulf of Mexico.

A Shell Oil statement Wednesday says it notified the National Response Center of what it describes as "a light sheen in the central portion of the Gulf of Mexico, between the Mars and Ursa production areas" about 130 miles southeast of New Orleans.

Shell says it doesn't know the source of the slick but has found no evidence it originated from Mars or Ursa wells...

http://www.fox8live.com/story/17389833/shell-oil-reports-light-oil-slick-offshore-in-gulf

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Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

HOUSTON | Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:43pm EDT

(Reuters) - An oil sheen spotted near Royal Dutch Shell platforms in the central Gulf of Mexico has caused the company to send a spill response vessel and seek aircraft over flights, a Shell spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

The source of the one-mile by 10-mile sheen between Shell's Mars and Ursa projects is unknown and not linked to the facilities, but Shell is responding "proactively," a company statement said.

An on-call, after-hours spokesman for the Coast Guard said he had no information about the incident.
...
"Shell has also requested flights to monitor the one by 10-mile sheen closely with additional aerial surveillance."

Full text:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/us-oil-spill-gulf-idUSBRE83A1HI20120411

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

News and Media Releases

Gulf of Mexico Sheen Spotted, Shell Taking Proactive Measures

04/11/2012

Shell today has notified the National Response Center (NRC) of a light sheen in the central portion of the Gulf of Mexico, between the Mars and Ursa production area.
<SECTION>
Shell has no current indication that the sheen originates from wells in either the Mars or Ursa projects.

However, out of prudent caution, Shell has activated the Louisiana Responder, a Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) vessel. The Louisiana Responder is an oil spill response vessel with skimming and boom capabilities. Shell has also requested flights to monitor the one by ten-mile sheen closely with additional aerial surveillance.

At this time, the source of this sheen is unknown, and Shell?s priority is to respond proactively, safely, and in close coordination with regulatory agencies. Updates will be provided as further action is taken.

http://www.shell.us/home/content/us...s_and_press_releases/2012/04112012_sheen.html

 

[Emily]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

They had a drilling chemical leak at a big ultra-deep water exploration site not far from the Macondo well this past December. Might be south of the Mars and Ursa.

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/12/19/drilling-fluids-spill-from-shell-site-in-gulf-of-mexico/

Here's a map of where its located:

http://www.subseaiq.com/data/Project.aspx?project_id=497

Shell, Nexen Continue Winning Streak at Appomattox
Type: Appraisal Operations

Apr. 2012 - Shell has successfully drilled the northeast fault block of the Appomattox structure in the Gulf of Mexico. The company demonstrated contingent recoverable resource in the northeast block of approximately 215 MMboe, with a range of 120 to 370 MMboe of light oil. Future planned appraisal drilling will further refine this range.

Hope that is not where the oil is coming from.

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Shell shares drop on Gulf of Mexico 'oil sheen' fears

Shell shares dropped sharply on worries over a possible oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico after the oil giant reported spotting an oil sheen near one of its platforms.

10:48AM BST 12 Apr 2012

Shares in Royal Dutch Shell dropped 4pc in early trading in London on Thursday after the company said it had send a spill response vessel and asked for aerial surveillance to investigate "out of prudent caution".

The company said in a statement that the source of the one-mile by 10-mile sheen is unknown and there was no current indication that it originates from wells in either its Mars or Ursa projects.
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Traders said the knee-jerk response by Shell's share price reflected concerns that any possible Gulf of Mexco spill might be compared to that which resulted from BP's Deepwater Horizon rig disaster in 2010 - the worst offshore oil spill in US history.
...

Full text:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...s-drop-on-Gulf-of-Mexico-oil-sheen-fears.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

UPDATE 2-Shell shares fall on Gulf of Mexico spill fears

Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:14am EDT

Shell shares fell 5 percent in London, while the U.S.-listed shares were down 3.6 percent in pre-market trade. News of the sheen comes almost exactly two years after BP's deep sea Macondo well disaster that saw nearly 5 million barrels of oil escaping into the Gulf of Mexico, rocking BP's reputation.

"While the extent of the sheen, reported at 1 mile by 10 mile, is large and will be a concern, the sheen is light and could result from volume of only a couple of barrels," RBC Capital Markets analyst Peter Hutton said.

"First light will provide opportunity to assess whether there has been any increase in the visible sheen," he added.
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A Shell spokeswoman told Reuters it would issue a further statement once the sun rose in the area.

Sunrise in the region is at about 1200 GMT.

Shell owns a 71.5 percent interest in the Mars project and a 45.4 percent stake in the Ursa project, and is the operator of both projects. BP owns a 28.5 percent stake in the Mars project and a 22.7 percent interest in the Ursa.

Shares in BP - which was facing environmental activists still angry about its 2010 spill at its annual shareholders' meeting in London on Thursday - were down 2.2 percent .

"Given the location of the sheen, we expect sensitivities to be high," Hutton said, adding that he expected a swift response from the company.
...

Full text:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/12/oil-spill-gulf-idUSL2E8FBO4B20120412

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Coast Guard checks Shell report of Gulf oil slick

Published April 12, 2012

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS ? The Coast Guard was checking reports Thursday of a 10-mile oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico near wells operated by Shell Oil.

A helicopter with a pollution officer on board was headed out to determine the source of the oil, Coast Guard Petty Officer Steve Lehmann in New Orleans said. A report was expected later Thursday morning.
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Early reports could not determine whether oil was continuing to flow at the site near the Shell platforms.

The Mars and Ursa fields are producing oil and natural gas from huge tension-leg production platforms. The Mars platform is in 2,900 feet of water while Ursa is in 4,000 feet of water.
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The sheen was reported in an area about 50 miles from the site of BP's Macondo well, which blew out in April 2010 and created the nation's worst offshore oil disaster. The now-plugged Macondo well is in about 5,000 feet of water.
...

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/12/coast-guard-checks-shell-report-gulf-oil-slick/#ixzz1rplhMXvy

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Gulf of Mexico Oil Sheen Status Update

04/12/2012

Following reports of an oil sheen in the vicinity of the Mars and Ursa production area in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday, a thorough inspection to date of Shell assets reveals operations in the area are normal with no sign of leaks.
<SECTION>
We have also confirmed there are no well control issues associated with our drilling operations in the area.

Shell is continuing to cooperate with federal regulators in their efforts to determine the cause and nature of the sheen, which is estimated to be 6 barrels.


In addition, although we are confident at this time that the sheen did not originate from Shell operations, out of prudent caution we will continue to respond to the sheen. In that regard, the following actions have taken place:

• Louisiana Responder, Oil Spill Response Vessel (OSRV) is on station and remains ready to respond
• Over flights will continue as weather conditions permit
• Shell has deployed two remote operating vehicles to inspect Shell and non-Shell infrastructure and search for potential naturally-occurring seeps in the area.

http://www.shell.us/home/content/us...s_and_press_releases/2012/04122012_sheen.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

News Release
Date: April 12, 2012
Contact: External Affairs Duty Public Affairs Specialist
(504) 671-2020

Coast Guard responds to report of sheen in Gulf of Mexico

VENICE, La. ? The Coast Guard is investigating the report of a rainbow sheen, Thursday, approximately 56 miles offshore Venice in the Gulf of Mexico.

Watchstanders at the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center received notification from Shell Oil Co., Wednesday, at 4:45 p.m., reporting that a rainbow sheen one mile by 10 miles in length was spotted near the Mississippi Canyon Block 807.

The Captain of the Port Morgan City, Capt. Jonathan Burton, issued a Notice of Federal Interest to Shell Offshore. The source of the sheen and the responsible party are unknown at this time.

Pollution investigators from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans conducted an overflight, Thursday, aboard a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65C Dolphin helicopter.

"We are treating this very seriously, as we do all reports of possible pollution. And, in consultation with our state and local partners, we will ensure that all measures are taken to fully investigate and, if necessary, mitigate any impact this could potentially have,? said Burton.

A skimmer vessel from Shell is scheduled to be on scene and assist with potential cleanup operations, should recoverable product be identified.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

http://www.d8.uscgnews.com/go/doc/425/1364459/

 

[Emily]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9U3KVE00.htm

The Associated Press April 12, 2012, 5:57PM ET t
Shell: Gulf oil sheen dissipating

By KEVIN McGILL

NEW ORLEANS

Shell says an oil sheen off the coast of Louisiana has broken up and is dissipating.

The source of the sheen in the Gulf of Mexico remains unknown. The sheen, which was about a mile wide and 10 miles long was spotted Wednesday afternoon in the area of two Royal Dutch Shell PLC production platforms. But the oil giant said it's confident the oil didn't come from its operations.

The company was aiding federal agencies by using two remotely controlled underwater vessels to check for any leaks in plugged wells or naturally occurring seepages from beneath the sea floor. The company said the surveillance would continue Thursday and Friday. Shell estimates the sheen at six barrels of oil, or about 252 gallons.

The Coast Guard did not immediately comment...

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response - natural seep suspected

Federal officials say sheen likely act of nature

By Jennifer A. Dlouhy

Published 11:55 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2012
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The Interior Department's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said in a statement that the agency was working to confirm the natural seafloor seep was the source of the sheen, after it was spotted by a remotely operated vehicle deployed by Shell Oil Co.
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"The remotely operated vehicle was able to investigate a known natural seafloor seep as the likely source of the sheen using information from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that identifies where natural seeps are known to be located," BSEE spokeswoman Eileen Angelico said. "Initial reports from Shell show that the seep is currently releasing oil and natural gas."

http://www.chron.com/business/article/Federal-officials-say-sheen-likely-act-of-nature-3481744.php

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response - natural seep suspected

Seep confirmed; may be source of dissipating sheen

Associated Press
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 7:19 AM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ? A federal agency says it has confirmed a natural seep of oil from the Gulf of Mexico near where a large oil sheen was spotted last week.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said Monday that experts confirmed a "modest" amount of oil is seeping from the Gulf floor after viewing video provided by Royal Dutch Shell PLC. The oil giant used remotely operated vehicles to aid in the investigation of the sheen.
...
http://www.wwltv.com/news/147644415.html

 

[Emily]

Re: Gulf of Mexico oil sheen triggers spill response - natural seep suspected

I wonder if this was a larger natural seep than is common historically?

This is a NASA study of the natural seeps:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=20863

Using a technique they developed in the early 1990s to help explore for oil in the deep ocean, Earth Satellite Corporation scientists found that there are over 600 different areas where oil oozes from rocks underlying the Gulf of Mexico. The oil bubbles up from a cracks in ocean bottom sediments and spreads out with the wind to an to an area covering about 4 square miles. "On water, oil has this wonderful property of spreading out really thin," said Mitchell. "A gallon of oil can spread over a square mile very quickly." So what ends up on the surface is an incredibly thin slick, impossible to see with the human eye and harmless to marine animals.

This slick was discovered by the Wings of Care during a small plane flyover. It certainly was visible to the unaided eye.

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