Media Inquiries: Eileen Angelico, (504) 736-2595
February 1, 2014
NEW ORLEANS–The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) confirmed today that the flow of natural gas from the A-7 well, Vermilion Block 356, has been stopped by pumping weighted drilling fluids into the well. The well is located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 108 miles southwest of Lafayette, Louisiana.
While the natural gas flow has stopped, there is additional work required to secure the well that includes setting barriers to ensure that no natural gas is released. Barriers also ensure safety of the well and personnel during operations. BSEE will review all procedures for efforts to secure the well.
BSEE approved EnVen’s procedures for the pumping operation, which began at 4:45 p.m. CST January 31, 2014. The well was monitored overnight to ensure that the flow did not resume.
BSEE is leading the coordinated response with the Coast Guard. BSEE will investigate the incident.
BACKGROUND: The operator, EnVen, reported Thursday that it was drilling from the jack-up rig, Rowan Louisiana, when the well began to flow natural gas. The flow was diverted overboard and work began to stop the flow. No visible sheen has been reported. All production from the A-Platform, which is located under the jack-up rig, remains shut-in. As a precaution, personnel onboard the platform were evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
--BSEE-
January 31, 2014
NEW ORLEANS– The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Coast Guard continue to oversee EnVen’s efforts to stop the flow of natural gas from the A-7 well at Vermilion Block 356 in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 108 miles southwest of Lafayette, Louisiana.
The operator, EnVen, reported Thursday that it was drilling from the jack-up rig, Rowan Louisiana, when the well began to flow natural gas. The flow was diverted overboard and work began to stop the flow. No visible sheen has been reported.
BSEE is in the final stages of reviewing EnVen’s plans and procedures to use a dynamic kill process to stop the flow of natural gas. Once approved, it is anticipated that EnVen will begin the process late this afternoon. A dynamic kill involves pumping weighted drilling fluids (usually termed mud) into the well to apply pressure and stop the flow of hydrocarbons from the reservoir.
All production from the A-Platform, which is located under the jack-up rig, remains shut-in. As a precaution, personnel onboard the platform were evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
BSEE is leading a coordinated response with the Coast Guard and will continue to provide updates as they become available. BSEE will investigate the incident.
--BSEE--
January 30, 2014
NEW ORLEANS– The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Coast Guard are responding to a loss of well control event at Vermilion Block 356 in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 108 miles southwest of Lafayette, Louisiana.
The operator, EnVen, reported that it was drilling from the jack-up rig, Rowan Louisiana, when the well began to flow natural gas. The flow has been diverted overboard and work continues to shut-in the well. No visible sheen has been reported.
The rig was jacked-up over the A-Platform, which was producing oil and gas. All production was shut-in and remains shut-in. As a precaution, personnel onboard the platform were evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
Coast Guard launched an HU-25 Falcon crew to assess the situation. BSEE is leading a coordinated response with the Coast Guard and will continue to provide updates as they become available. BSEE will investigate the incident.
--BSEE--