PDF - Marine Well Containment

Capping Stack Demonstration
in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico
In summer 2012, at the request of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Marine Well Containment
Company (MWCC) successfully initiated mobilization of its Interim Containment
System (ICS), including the physical deployment of the 15k psi Capping Stack
(single ram), the centerpiece of the system. Once offshore, all necessary functions
were completed and pressure testing confirmed the ability to control a well.
After the MWCC capping stack was lowered onto the Laney Chouest, a simulated deployment was performed, using the A-frame to lower the capping stack
just above water.
Marine Well Containment Company
The capping stack was loaded onto the Laney Chouest at the Houston ship channel and
deployed to a simulated well in the deepwater U.S. Gulf. Once offshore, the capping
stack was lowered approximately 6,900 ft. on a wire using a heave compensated landing
system. It was latched onto a simulated wellhead, where all necessary functions were
completed and pressure testing confirmed the ability to control a well.
Demonstration
at a Glance
0 recordable incidents
The mobilization, function and pressure testing performed as expected and mobilization
was within the anticipated timeline. The capping stack and ancillary equipment were then
transported back to shore for refurbishment.
300+ people involved
40,000+ man hours worked
BSEE inspectors and engineers monitored the demonstration from MWCC headquarters,
Unified Command (UC) and the two vessels transporting the equipment offshore.
Throughout the demonstration, the BSEE Director met with MWCC and Shell Oil Company
to witness the various phases of system deployment, and participated in daily UC briefings
with the DOI.
2,400 miles traveled at sea
24/7 operations
1 100-ton capping stack
10 out of 10 MWCC member
companies, observing operations
Through this demonstration, MWCC validated the ability to safely and effectively respond
to a well control incident in the deepwater U.S. Gulf. The success of the demonstration is
the result of a strong collaboration that began in 2010 between government and industry,
particularly MWCC members.
292 MIL E S
GREENSPOR T
POR T FOURCHON
HOUSTON, TEXAS
LOUISIANA
201 MIL E S
30 4 MIL E S
WA L K ER RIDGE 536
(6,900 FT)
The capping stack was mobilized from Greensport in Houston to the
simulated well in the deepwater U.S. Gulf.
The MWCC capping stack landed and latched onto the simulated wellhead,
approximately 6,900 ft. below the water’s surface. Pressure testing
confirmed the capping stack’s ability to control a well.
Marine Well Containment Company