UPDATED: BSEE investigates GoM pipeline leak

The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the US Coast Guard are responding to a release of gas and condensate from a pipeline at West Cameron 165 in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 32mi southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, the agencies reported today (19 January 2017).

A helicopter pilot flying over the site reported the incident to the US Coast Guard at approximately 2 p.m. (local time) Wednesday, 18 January. The pipeline is operated by Kinetica Partners, and not Fieldwood Energy as previously reported.

There were no personnel affected by the leak at a nearby Fieldwood Energy platform, and at the time of the report, the sheen was about 1mi across and 10mi-long. The operator estimated the spill volume to be roughly 752 gallons, or 17.9 bbl at that time, according to a statement by BSEE.

Fieldwood Energy issued a statement, clarifying earlier BSEE reports.

“At the request of the US Coast Guard, Fieldwood Energy reported to BSEE a sheen that was spotted by a helicopter pilot flying in the Gulf yesterday. As BSEE’s updated news release states, this release is from a pipeline that “is operated by Kinetica Partners, LLC.” Fieldwood has conducted an internal investigation which confirmed that the leak does not involve our platform, pipeline, or any other Fieldwood owned or operated infrastructure," says Kevin Bruce, Director, Government & Industry Affairs, Fieldwood Energy.

Image: WC-165 pipeline/BSEE

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