MMS is well aware of the existence of strong ocean currents in the Gulf of Mexico, including both the loop/eddy currents and the more recently discovered deep ocean currents.  Preliminary results from the recently completed research involving the submersible Alvin are not entirely unexpected.  MMS had received extensive reports about unusual near-bottom ocean currents in early 1999.  Several information-gathering sessions with individual oil and gas operators who had experienced strong currents have been held.  MMS followed those meetings with a Safety Alert (No. 180) that advised operators of the existence of significant Gulf of Mexico (GOM) deepwater currents that could affect offshore operations and facility designs. Safety Alert No. 180 further stated:  "Operators planning operations in deepwater areas of the Gulf of Mexico should be prepared to discuss the possible existence of such currents and the impact they may have on planned operations.  The MMS is particularly interested about the effect such currents will have on equipment design and installation.  Specifically, the effects on both seabed equipment and the production riser are concerns MMS has for deepwater development projects."

MMS regulations require the use of conservative design standards for oil and gas equipment, platforms, and risers so that these structures are well engineered with additional capacity to handle unexpected events.  MMS reviews ensure that the equipment to be used in exploration and production for oil and gas is designed to withstand the environment in which it will operate.  The adoption of tough yet principled standards, such as the American Petroleum Institute's recommended practice addressing marine riser designs for floating production systems (RP 2RD, June 1998), has been promoted.  This standard is currently used by MMS.  Additional API standards are under development, with heavy MMS participation, that will also deal with strong currents.  As these become available, MMS will incorporate them into the regulations that govern post-lease safety and pollution prevention review activities.

As operators have become aware of these greater than expected currents, the information has been used to revisit existing designs and to improve the equipment designs of projects under construction or in the design stage of development.  Information like that gathered by the Alvin submersible in the Gulf of Mexico this summer will help MMS and industry to ensure that operations in the ultra deepwater can proceed in a safe and pollution free manner.

The MMS is the Federal agency that manages the Nation’s oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources on the OCS; and collects, accounts for, and disburses about $5 billion in yearly revenues from offshore Federal mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on Federal and American Indian lands.

-MMS-GOM-
MMS's Website Address: http://www.mms.gov