UK examines well capping concepts

Offshore staff

LONDON-- The Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group (OSPRAG) has initiated an engineering study to develop new design concepts for well capping and containment.

The project forms part of the UK offshore industry’s current review of its well control practices and readiness to respond to a major oil spill, following events in the Gulf of Mexico.

Brian Kinkead, OSPRAG’s Technical Review Group (TRG) leader, said:

“The TRG has outlined several ways in which an oil spill resulting from a blow-out might be capped and contained, and will now commission an engineering study to develop the technical and operational feasibility of those options.

“The engineering consultancy chosen will be guided by the TRG and we expect that this study will be completed within two months, at which time we will decide on the suitability of different contingency equipment and possible improvements to existing systems.”

The TRG comprises representatives from oil and gas operating companies, drilling contractors, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), trade unions, and Oil & Gas UK.

“The TRG is also continuing to monitor the lessons emerging from the Gulf of Mexico incident and ensure that implications for the UKCS are considered within the group’s activities,” Kinkead added. “The findings from investigations in all our focus areas will be captured in a formal Oil & Gas UK guidance on well control to be published as soon as the work is completed.”


07/08/2010