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Putting a Freeze on Arctic Ocean Drilling America’S Inability to Respond to an Oil Spill in the Arctic
AP PHOTO/JUDY P PHOTO/JUDY AP A TRICK, FILE TRICK, Putting a Freeze on Arctic Ocean Drilling America’s Inability to Respond to an Oil Spill in the Arctic Kiley Kroh, Michael Conathan, and Emma Huvos February 2012 WWW.AMERICANPROGRESS.ORG Putting a Freeze on Arctic Ocean Drilling America’s Inability to Respond to an Oil Spill in the Arctic Kiley Kroh, Michael Conathan, and Emma Huvos February 2012 COVER: The Coast Guard Cutter Healy escorts the Russian-flagged tanker Renda 250 miles south of Nome on January 6. The vessels are transiting through ice up to five-feet thick in this area.T he 370-foot tanker Renda will have to go through more than 300 miles of sea ice to get to Nome, a city of about 3,500 people on the western Alaska coastline that did not get its last pre-winter fuel delivery because of a massive storm. If the delivery of diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline is not made, the city likely will run short of fuel supplies before another barge delivery can be made in spring. AP Photo/US Coast Guard - Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis Contents vii MAP: Oil spill response capacity in the Arctic and Gulf of Mexico: Resources within 500 miles of BP spill site and Shell’s proposed Arctic exploration 1 Introduction and summary 5 The Deepwater Horizon response and aftermath 11 The realities of the Arctic 16 MAP: Arctic oil spill response capacity: Resources within 500 miles of Shell’s proposed drilling sites 23 Shell’s plans and emergency preparations 27 Recommendations 31 Conclusion 32 About the authors and acknowledgements 33 Additional -
Washington Report Volume Xliv December 2015
WASHINGTON REPORT VOLUME XLIV DECEMBER 2015 IN THIS ISSUE SPECIAL EDITION Thad Allen...........................1 2015 NOIA FALL MEETING REVIEW Thomas Barnett.................1 Ann Coulter........................2 The National Ocean Industries Association Allen added that in events like the Macondo Robert McNally..................2 (NOIA) held its 2015 Fall Meeting from October Well accident, politicians are under tremendous Gale Norton........................3 7 to 9 at the Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ, with pressure to show results and to be seen as lead- Kirk Lippold........................3 139 members in attendance. ers, but often they can actually hinder the pro- WCR Panel..........................4 cess. When asked what he would have done Committee Speakers.....4-7 The meeting featured nationally known experts differently, Allen said he would have taken con- Executive Committee & on important topics impacting the offshore en- trol of the airspace earlier. It is difficult to juggle Board of Directors.............8 ergy industry, including global affairs, politics, media fly overs, oil spotters and all the neces- Membership Committee..9 energy policy, regulatory issues, accountability, sary response equipment during the heat of a safety and security. Presenters and attendees crisis, and by not closing the airspace sooner President’s Report........9-11 discussed the implications of the looming Presi- rescue and cleanup crews were placed in un- Reception Photos........12-16 dential election, the search for the next House necessary danger, he said. Speaker, the economy, regulatory hurdles fac- ing the industry, offshore technology, offshore Finally, Allen commended industry for avoiding renewables, and seismic testing in the Atlantic. further accidents with the hundreds of vessels that were used throughout the clean up and re- GENERAL SPEAKERS sponse phases. -
BP's Broken Well in Gulf of Mexico Is 'Dead' 20 September 2010
BP's broken well in Gulf of Mexico is 'dead' 20 September 2010 well poses no continuing threat to the Gulf of Mexico ." The announcement marked an anti-climactic end to a five-month battle to cap a busted undersea well that gushed nearly five million barrels (210 million gallons) of oil into the Gulf, the largest maritime spill in history. No oil has leaked into the Gulf in the three months since the well off the Louisiana coast was plugged in a so-called "top kill" operation, but the US Ships work near the site of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil administration insisted that it also be sealed from spill in August 2010. No oil has leaked into the Gulf in the bottom with a relief well. the three months since the well off the Louisiana coast was plugged in a so-called "top kill" operation, but the A final pressure test of the cement seal was US administration insisted that it also be sealed from the completed at 5:54 am (1054 GMT), officials said. bottom with a relief well. "Today, we achieved an important milestone in our response to the BP oil spill -- the final termination of the damaged well that sat deep under the Gulf of US officials have finally declared BP's broken well Mexico," President Barack Obama said in a in the Gulf of Mexico "dead", five months after a statement. deadly oil rig explosion set off one of the costliest and largest environmental disasters ever. Obama said there was now a diminished need for the massive response to the spill, but "we also Although the troublesome well may have been remain committed to doing everything possible to killed once and for all, BP still faces a long uphill make sure the Gulf Coast recovers fully from this battle to clean up the Gulf, a litany of lawsuits, disaster." billions of dollars in fines and shareholders angered by the firm's instability after its share price He vowed to "see our communities, our businesses more than halved. -
Oil and Chemical Spills: Federal Emergency Response Framework
Oil and Chemical Spills: Federal Emergency Response Framework David M. Bearden Specialist in Environmental Policy Jonathan L. Ramseur Specialist in Environmental Policy August 29, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43251 Oil and Chemical Spills: Federal Emergency Response Framework Summary Thousands of oil and chemical spills of varying size and magnitude occur in the United States each year. When a spill occurs, state and local officials located in proximity to the incident generally are the first responders and may elevate an incident for federal attention if greater resources are desired. The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, often referred to as the National Contingency Plan (NCP), establishes the procedures for the federal response to oil and chemical spills. The scope of the NCP encompasses discharges of oil into or upon U.S. waters and adjoining shorelines and releases of hazardous substances into the environment. The NCP was developed in 1968 and has been revised on multiple occasions to implement the federal statutory response authorities that Congress has expanded over time. Three federal environmental statutes authorized the development of the NCP: the Clean Water Act, as amended; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended; and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Several executive orders have delegated the presidential response authorities of these statutes to federal departments and agencies that implement the NCP. The lead federal agency serves as the On-Scene Coordinator to direct the federal response. Generally, EPA leads the federal response within the inland zone, and the U.S. -
Minerals Management Service Reorganization: Hearings
S. HRG. 111–1035 MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE REORGANIZATION HEARING BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION SPECIAL HEARING MAY 26, 2010—WASHINGTON, DC Printed for the use of the Committee on Appropriations ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 57–214 PDF WASHINGTON : 2011 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii, Chairman ROBERT C. BYRD, West Virginia THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Missouri TOM HARKIN, Iowa MITCH MCCONNELL, Kentucky BARBARA A. MIKULSKI, Maryland RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama HERB KOHL, Wisconsin JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire PATTY MURRAY, Washington ROBERT F. BENNETT, Utah BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota SUSAN COLLINS, Maine MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, Ohio JACK REED, Rhode Island LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey BEN NELSON, Nebraska MARK PRYOR, Arkansas JON TESTER, Montana ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania CHARLES J. HOUY, Staff Director BRUCE EVANS, Minority Staff Director SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California, Chairman ROBERT C. BYRD, West Virginia LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota ROBERT F. -
Department of the Interior Ocean Energy Safety Advisory Committee New Orleans, Louisiana July 13-14, 2011
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OCEAN ENERGY SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA JULY 13-14, 2011 MEETING MINUTES The Ocean Energy Safety Advisory Committee (OESC) held its second public meeting on July 13-14, 2011, at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, 739 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. The meeting agenda (Appendix I) focused on industry, state, academia and Federal initiatives and outreach relevant to the work of the Committee; new technology; and OESC subcommittees’ progress to date. Thirteen of the fifteen Committee members were in attendance (Appendix II). The two Committee members who were not present during the meeting represented the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Academia) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA - Federal government). In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, the meeting was open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on July 13 and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 14. Approximately 50 members of the public and press were in attendance (Appendix III). The meeting was called to order by Designated Federal Officer (DFO) Brad J. Blythe after establishing quorum. He then introduced OESC Chairman Thomas O. Hunter to lead meeting proceedings. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 The first day of the meeting consisted of presentations on industry initiatives by the Marine Well Containment Company (MWCC) and DeepStar, as well as a presentation by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) on the Well Containment Screening Tool. BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich offered a few remarks (Appendix IV) of encouragement to the OESC and its subcommittees on their progress to date and future efforts. -
Blowout: Legal Legacy of the Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe:Federal Public Law and the Future of Oil and Gas Drilling on the Oute
Roger Williams University Law Review Volume 17 | Issue 1 Article 10 Winter 2012 Blowout: Legal Legacy of the Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe:Federal Public Law and the Future of Oil and Gas Drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf David Pettit Natural Resources Defense Council David Newman Natural Resources Defense Council Follow this and additional works at: http://docs.rwu.edu/rwu_LR Recommended Citation Pettit, David and Newman, David (2012) "Blowout: Legal Legacy of the Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe:Federal Public Law and the Future of Oil and Gas Drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf," Roger Williams University Law Review: Vol. 17: Iss. 1, Article 10. Available at: http://docs.rwu.edu/rwu_LR/vol17/iss1/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Roger Williams University Law Review by an authorized administrator of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Federal Public Law and the Future of Oil and Gas Drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf David Pettit* and David Newmant I. INTRODUCTION Transocean's Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig, on lease to BP, exploded and caught fire on April 20, 2010. This event caused the deaths of eleven workers and resulted in an oil geyser that spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.' The Deepwater Horizon sank two days after the explosion. Nearly three months later, on July 15, 2010, BP was finally able to cap the well.2 The Flow Rate Technical Group, a group of scientists from federal agencies and academic institutions, estimated that * David Pettit, a 1975 graduate of UCLA Law School, is a Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. -
Obama Vows Help As BP Sees Oil Spill Progress 5 June 2010, by Allen Johnson
Obama vows help as BP sees oil spill progress 5 June 2010, by Allen Johnson As Obama promised assistance, oil spill-stricken Gulf of Mexico residents anxiously awaited news about BP's latest effort to contain the massive leak, now the worst environmental disaster in US history. The firm has lowered a containment vessel over a leaking ruptured well-pipe allowing oil to collect and be siphoned up via a tube to the Enterprise, a container ship on the surface. The US official overseeing the response to the spill, Marine One with US President Barack Obama aboard Admiral Thad Allen, was to provide an update on and a second support helicopter fly to New Orleans after the process at 1445 GMT, amid uncertainty about Obama met with local business owners and residents in just how much oil was being collected. Grand Isle, Louisiana. US President Barack Obama has promised to use "every resource" to help those affected "The flow of oil and gas to the Enterprise was shut by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, as Americans await news down for three hours overnight," said Coast Guard of BP's latest containment effort. spokesman First Class Petty Officer Zach Zubricki. "It resumed at 3:30 am (0730 GMT)," he told AFP, saying he had no information on how much oil was US President Barack Obama promised on being captured. Saturday to use "every resource" to help those affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, as An estimated 20 million gallons of crude has Americans awaited news of BP's latest poured into the Gulf since an April 20 explosion containment effort. -
Leadership in Crisis: an Exploration of the British Petroleum Case
International Journal of Business and Social Science Vol. 3 No. 18 [Special Issue – September 2012] Leadership in Crisis: An Exploration of the British Petroleum Case Nathan A. Heller, PhD Assistant Professor of Marketing & Management Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas, USA. Abstract This article explores the issue of organization crisis management within the British Petroleum when the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon oil rig ruptured in the Gulf of Mexico with an explosion that killed eleven rig workers and triggered the largest environmental disaster in North America. A brief overview of the historical development of British Petroleum is presented, and an analysis of the present crisis situation in which the organization found itself is presented in some detail. It was concluded that British Petroleum is now in a very difficult position in the chronic crisis stage due to the failure of its management to facilitate a timely response to the malfunctions of its vehicles. This is an excellent example of crisis mismanagement by a previously recognized world leader. Keywords: British Petroleum, Leadership, Crisis Management 1. Introduction It has been said that: “We are now at the start of what may become the most dramatic change in global order in several centuries…What we are facing isn’t one single shift…as much as an avalanche of ceaseless change….creating unprecedented disruption and dislocation” (Ramo, 2009). In essence, we may be entering a period of unprecedented corporate crises. When a crisis is approaching, it is much easier to seize and act upon, but of course it must be realistically recognized. Once a crisis has passed through the threshold of preliminary (pre-) crisis recognition and action it is much more difficult to seize and effectively act upon, and thus the opportunity to more easily deal with it will have passed. -
Oilgram News/OPR Extra a Special Edition from the Editors of Platts July 20, 2010
] Oilgram News/OPR Extra A special edition from the editors of Platts July 20, 2010 As it has during other crises affecting oil and other energy markets, such as hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ivan, Platts is producing this special summary of events surrounding the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. This special joint edition of Platts Oilgram News and OPR Extra will be published as frequently as Platts believes necessary to give its readers a quick summary of developments surrounding the leak at the wellhead, the growing footprint of the spill, and the impact these occurrences are having on markets and on US federal energy policy. Return of the top kill option With BP's runaway Macondo exploration hour period that ended July 17, Allen has Allen said the preliminary idea would use the well finally under control in the Gulf of Mexico, approved extensions in 24-hour intervals, and static kill to pump mud from the top, "increas- BP and the US government continued to mull he did that again on July 20. "There are com- ing the chances of success" with the relief options July 20 for a next move--including peting theories of depletion versus leakage," well. "Static kill discussions are ongoing, and another look at the "top kill" maneuver that Allen said, explaining the debate among mem- we will have a good idea in the next 24 hours failed so spectacularly at the end of May. BP bers of the government and BP technical for detailed plans from BP," Allen said. is so eager to include what it now calls a teams working to evaluate the reason for the "static kill" that BP senior vice president Kent stable pressure in the 6,800 level. -
Fy 2012 Performance Budget
The United States BUDGET Department of the Interior JUSTIFICATIONS and Performance Information Fiscal Year 2012 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement NOTICE: These budget justifications are prepared for the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittees. Approval for release of the justifications prior to their printing in the public record of the Subcommittee hearings may be obtained through the Office of Budget of the Department of the Interior. BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT FY 2012 PERFORMANCE BUDGET Table of Contents Director’s Preface ......................................................................................................................... 1 General Statement ........................................................................................................................ 7 Summary of BOEMRE Budget Request ........................................................................................ 7 FY 2012 Performance Budget Request......................................................................................... 8 Reorganization and Reform .......................................................................................................... 9 FY 2012 Budget Highlights......................................................................................................... 12 FY 2012 Analysis of Budgetary Changes.................................................................................... 13 Performance Summary............................................................................................................... -
Admiral Thad Allen
Profile: ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN Commandant United States Coast Guard By Richard H. Wagner he Commandant of the US Coast assignments include Captain of the Port / Guard is the highest ranking Group Long Island Sound, Connecticut; T member of the US Coast Guard. Group Atlantic City, New Jersey and He is the only four-star Admiral of the LORAN Station Lampang, Thailand. Coast Guard, and is appointed for a four Among his flag assignments, year term by the President of the United Admiral Allen commanded the Seventh States upon confirmation of the United Coast Guard District where he directed States Senate. On 25 May 2006, Coast Guard operations in South Admiral Thad Allen was named the 23rd Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Commandant of the Coast Guard. “I can throughout the Caribbean. served as think of no greater honor and no better Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, way to continue serving our Nation than Fifth Coast Guard District, and U.S. through our Coast Guard, a service Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic in whose embedded responsibilities impact Portsmouth, Va., where he was the every American.” operational commander for all Coast “I have spent my entire life in the Guard activities in an area of United States Coast Guard. I was born responsibility spanning five Coast Guard while my father an enlisted father, a Districts, encompassing more than 14 Seaman on the deck force, was million square miles and involving underway on a Coast Guard cutter. In 26,000 military and civilian employees, 1967, I traded my dependent’s ID for an and 27,900 Auxiliarists.