Early reports confirmed that the platform is listing an estimated 20-30 degrees. The field is in development and has not yet begun production of hydrocarbons.
The situation was discovered at approximately 8:30am on 11 July by a vessel in the area, and the cause is, at present, unknown. The Thunder Horse platform had been evacuated of all personnel on 8 July anticipation of the hurricane’s approach. At this time there has been no known release of any fuel or hazardous substances.
BP immediately activated its incident command structure, notified the appropriate regulatory agencies including the US Minerals Management Service (MMS) and the US Coast Guard, and conducted over flights to further assess the extent of the damage. The company is currently mobilizing a number of response vessels to the platform’s location, and is working with the Coast Guard to create a response plan. The first priority will be to safely board the vessel for a further assessment of its stability and to begin investigating potential causes of the issue.
Discovered in 1999, the Thunder Horse field development (consisting of two adjacent fields – ‘north’ and ‘south’) is designed to utilize the largest production drilling quarters (PDQ) semi-submersible platform in the world. It weighs more than 50,000 tons, and will produce from some of the deepest wells in the Gulf. The facility is designed to process 250,000 brl/d and 200 million cuft/d, with first oil expected in 2005; the oil and gas is planned to be transported to existing shelf and onshore interconnections via the Mardi Gras Transportation System. BP operates the development (with a 75% interest), with co-venturer ExxonMobil owning the balance.