Atlantis PQ
Encyclopedia
Atlantis PQ is a BP plc
and BHP Billiton
joint venture semi-submersible
oil platform
on permanent location over the Green Canyon
Atlantis Oil Field
in deepwater Gulf of Mexico
, 190 mi (305.8 km) south of New Orleans. The "PQ" identifies the platform as being a production facility
with crew quarters
.
The vessel's hull was built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
(DSME) in Okpo
, South Korea
. Its topsides modules were built in Morgan City, Louisiana
with hull integration in Ingleside, Texas
.
Operating in depths of more than 2100 metres (6,889.8 ft), Atlantis was the deepest moored semi-submersible platform in the world when it was installed. Independence Hub subsequently set a new record with its installation in 2400 metres (7,874 ft) water depth.
drilling rig and the subsequent oil spill
, informants within BP came forward with allegations that safety practices at Atlantis PQ were flawed. Specifically, allegations have been laid against the plans and specs used in its construction, maintenance, and operation. Kenneth Abbott, a former BP contractor, reported that up to 80 percent of the engineering plans used to build and operate the installations were never authenticated by even BP engineers for safety and stability, and that over 80 percent of the plans for the underwater welds were never verified. Food & Water Watch, a US-based consumer interest group, filed a complaint with the US district court
requesting an injunction to stop production on Atlantis PQ until these matters have been investigated.
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
and BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
joint venture semi-submersible
Semi-submersible
A semi-submersible is a specialised marine vessel with good stability and seakeeping characteristics. The semi-submersible vessel design is commonly used in a number of specific offshore roles such as for offshore drilling rigs, safety vessels, oil production platforms and heavy lift cranes.The...
oil platform
Oil platform
An oil platform, also referred to as an offshore platform or, somewhat incorrectly, oil rig, is a lаrge structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, and to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing...
on permanent location over the Green Canyon
Green Canyon
Green Canyon is an area in the Gulf of Mexico that is rich in oil fields and under the control of the BOEM. Many oil companies, including Shell, Exxon Mobil, ATP Oil and Gas, Devon Energy, W&T Offshore and Anadarko have leased the rights to drill for oil in this area.Green Canyon, block 185 is...
Atlantis Oil Field
Atlantis Oil Field
The Atlantis oil field is the third largest oil field in the Gulf of Mexico. The field was discovered in 1998 and is located at the Green Canyon blocks 699, 700, 742, 743, and 744 in United States federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico about from the coast of Louisiana...
in deepwater Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, 190 mi (305.8 km) south of New Orleans. The "PQ" identifies the platform as being a production facility
Oil platform
An oil platform, also referred to as an offshore platform or, somewhat incorrectly, oil rig, is a lаrge structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, and to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing...
with crew quarters
Cabin (ship)
A cabin or berthing is an enclosed space generally on a ship or an aircraft. A cabin which protrudes above the level of a ship's deck may be referred to as a "deckhouse."-Sailing ships:...
.
The vessel's hull was built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd ' is the second largest shipbuilder in the world and one of the "Big Three" shipbuilders of South Korea.On 21 February 2011, the A. P...
(DSME) in Okpo
Okpo
Okpo-dong is dong of the city of Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The village is located on the eastern coast of Geoje Island and a center of the island....
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Its topsides modules were built in Morgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City is a city in St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 12,404 at the 2010 census....
with hull integration in Ingleside, Texas
Ingleside, Texas
Ingleside is a town in Nueces and San Patricio Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 9,388 at the 2000 census.Ingleside is also home to Naval Station Ingleside. On August 24, 2005, the BRAC Committee voted to close the base. In 2010, the main base property was turned over to the...
.
Operating in depths of more than 2100 metres (6,889.8 ft), Atlantis was the deepest moored semi-submersible platform in the world when it was installed. Independence Hub subsequently set a new record with its installation in 2400 metres (7,874 ft) water depth.
Food & Water Watch lawsuit
As a result of the 2010 explosion of the semi-submersible Deepwater HorizonDeepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizon was an ultra-deepwater, dynamically positioned, semi-submersible offshore oil drilling rig owned by Transocean. Built in 2001 in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries, the rig was commissioned by R&B Falcon, which later became part of Transocean, registered in Majuro, Marshall...
drilling rig and the subsequent oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry...
, informants within BP came forward with allegations that safety practices at Atlantis PQ were flawed. Specifically, allegations have been laid against the plans and specs used in its construction, maintenance, and operation. Kenneth Abbott, a former BP contractor, reported that up to 80 percent of the engineering plans used to build and operate the installations were never authenticated by even BP engineers for safety and stability, and that over 80 percent of the plans for the underwater welds were never verified. Food & Water Watch, a US-based consumer interest group, filed a complaint with the US district court
District court
District courts are a category of courts which exists in several nations. These include:-Australia:District Court is the name given to the intermediate court in most Australian States. They hear indictable criminal offences excluding treason, murder and, in some States, manslaughter...
requesting an injunction to stop production on Atlantis PQ until these matters have been investigated.
External links
- BP Atlantis PQ diagram and images at FMC TechnologiesFMC TechnologiesFMC Technologies, Incorporated , is an American oil and gas equipment and services technology company. FMC Technologies was incorporated in 2000 when FMC Corporation divested its machinery businesses...