Offshore staff

NEW ORLEANS – The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued the first deepwater permit involving a cap and flow containment system.

Murphy Exploration and Production Co. – USA has contracted Helix Well Containment Group to supply the safety system for MC 734 Well 04 in 5,712 ft (1,741 m) water depth. Transocean’s Deepwater Pathfinder drillship is scheduled to drill the well. The request was submitted on July 7 of this year and permission was granted on Oct. 21.

The system includes a capping stack, which is installed on the well head to stop any flow. The flowback part of the system is designed to direct oil to vessels stationed in the area. This serves as a backup in case the capping stack is insufficient.

10/24/2011