TY - JOUR
T1 - Harnessing a decade of data to inform future decisions
T2 - Insights into the ongoing hydrocarbon release at Taylor Energy's Mississippi Canyon Block 20 (MC20) site
AU - Bryant, Wade L.
AU - Camilli, Richard
AU - Fisher, G. Burch
AU - Overton, Edward B.
AU - Reddy, Christopher M.
AU - Reible, Danny
AU - Swarthout, Robert F.
AU - Valentine, David L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s)
PY - 2020/6
Y1 - 2020/6
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Drilling fluids
KW - MC20
KW - Taylor energy
KW - Unified command
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85084258773&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111056
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111056
M3 - Article
C2 - 32469752
AN - SCOPUS:85084258773
SN - 0025-326X
VL - 155
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
M1 - 111056
ER -