The Downed Platforms project deals with seven platforms containing 59 wells which were toppled during Hurricane Katrina in water depths ranging from 86 to 135 feet. Visibility at these depths is limited at best. A way to visualize the entire platform to aid in planning decommissioning activities was developed. This paper describes the various techniques used to image the platforms, including offshore field work, post processing, and analysis.
The technologies and techniques described in this paper could be applied to imaging of complex subsea structures, seabed surveys and hazard assessment, and processing of complex multibeam datasets.
This project employed new methods for acquiring sonar data which has conventionally been used for mapping the seafloor from a horizontal or near horizontal platform. The results in this paper will highlight the need to consider alternative methods of acquiring data and discuss the reality of deploying these methods in the field. Results from the project will be used to demonstrate the success of these methods.
This project delivered the highest quality datasets possible which removed significant uncertainty and allowed detailed planning to proceed. The paper will showcase a new method for acquiring detailed three-dimensional datasets, the benefits of deploying different imaging devices and highlight the importance of using available technology to minimize uncertainty.
The 2005 hurricane season was the most active on record and hurricanes Katrina and Rita inflicted major damage to Gulf of Mexico (GoM) production facilities on the outer continental shelf (OCS). Seven platforms were completely destroyed in the Grand Isle 41/43/47 field, or " downed??. All platforms located in the Grand Isle (GI) and West Delta (WD) lease areas are in water depths from 86 to 135 feet. The locations were GI 40B, GI 40F, GI 41A, GI 47C, GI 48D, WD 69C, and WD 69K (Figure 1), which are all within 20 to 35 miles west of the centerline track of Hurricane Katrina.
