GoM pipelines join in emergency response arrangement

Offshore staff

HOUSTON --Enterprise Products Partners LP , Enbridge, BP Exploration and Production Inc, and ENI have formed a cooperative to improve access to pipeline repair systems and equipment for depths up to 10,000 ft (3,048 m).

The newly formed Deep Water Response to Underwater Pipeline Emergencies has entered a co-ownership contract to buy $12 million of specialized pipeline repair equipment for storage in the Gulf of Mexico area. Stress Subsea will be the project manager for DW RUPE.

"This initiative will, for the first time, make it possible for the co-owners to have critical repair systems that typically require long lead times readily available for deepwater pipeline repairs," said Mike Stark, director of Offshore Pipelines for Enterprise and chairman of the co-ownership group. "This alliance reflects the industry's strong cooperative spirit and commitment to taking the steps necessary to minimize the interruption of valuable domestic energy supplies."

06/07/2007