Deepwater Horizon: lessons learned from the Macondo
After the semi-submersible drilling rig Deepwater Horizon suffered a subsea blowout, the entire drill ship sunk into the Gulf of Mexico. As one of the largest maritime spills in history, this incident shaped today’s oil spill response landscape.
Background
On April 20th 2010, a well control event allowed hydrocarbons to escape from the Macondo well onto Deepwater Horizon, resulting in several explosions and a large fire breaking out on the rig. 11 workers tragically lost their lives on the day, and 17 others suffered critical injuries as a result.
Over 4.0 million barrels of oil were released into the sea. The fire continued to burn for a further 36 hours until the rig eventually sank into the sea. Hydrocarbons continued to flow from the reservoir through the wellbore and blowout preventer (BOP) for a further 87 days, causing a spill of national significance. Located 1,500 metres underwater, the spill presented unprecedented technical and logistical challenges. There was a critical need for cutting-edge technologies, rapid mobilisation, and extensive inter-agency coordination.
Response activation and context of OSRL’s involvement
The initial response was spearheaded by the U.S. Coast Guard and BP, with additional collaboration from international oil spill response organisations. As one of our members, BP activated OSRL under the International Mutual Aid Agreement due to our unique capabilities, including access to the Global Dispersant Stockpile and advanced technical expertise. Our involvement began a few days after the initial explosion with the dispatch of an Incident Commander to provide logistics support to the shoreline clean-up assessment teams. This was quickly followed by additional personnel providing support to the client in a variety of roles as the response unfolded.
| Main goals and priorities | Unique challenges |
|---|---|
|
Mitigation of environmental impact: Rapidly reduce surface and subsurface spread of oil through targeted dispersant application. |
Depth constraints: The wellhead's location at 1,500 metres necessitated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) intervention and adaptive subsea strategies. |
| Subsea source control: Collaborate on containment measures to cap the well and halt the release of hydrocarbons. | High spill volume: Traditional containment methods were insufficient for the magnitude of released oil, demanding innovative solutions. |
| Enhanced oil recovery: Deploy large-scale skimming and booming operations to recover free-floating oil. |
Dynamic ocean conditions: Strong currents and variable weather conditions hindered surface operations and dispersant application. |
| Wildlife and shoreline protection: Mobilise wildlife response units and pre-emptively deploy shoreline defence barriers. | Multistakeholder coordination: Synchronising efforts among federal, state, and private entities was critical to maintaining an effective response. |
Response methodology
- Subsea dispersant application: OSRL supported the use of subsea injection techniques at the blowout preventer (BOP), utilising ROVs to apply Corexit dispersants directly into the oil plume. This innovative method dispersed oil particles at depth, reducing the amount reaching the surface and minimising environmental impact.
- Aerial dispersant operations: Leveraging OSRL’s aircraft fleet and with support from the 300-member Aerial Dispersant Team, dispersants were applied over a 305-square-mile area, targeting high-concentration surface slicks.
- Containment and recovery: Additionally to in-situ burn vessels, over 3 million feet of boom were deployed to contain surface oil, while mechanical recovery systems captured over 800,000 barrels of emulsified oil. Over 45 000 responders were involved in cleanup efforts from different organisations.
- Shoreline and wildlife operations: OSRL was in charge of planning and coordinating SCAT efforts, which later in the spill extended all the way to Alabama, Louisiana and Florida. Our teams developed safety frameworks for the teams in field, shared oil spill response knowledge and were key in the alignment of the several organisations involved. Wildlife rehabilitation centres were established to manage affected fauna. Over 1,200 seabirds were cleaned and cared for in specialist units.
- Innovation to ensure effectiveness: OSRL developed a format for daily delivery of fluorometry data and aerial observations to monitor dispersant application effectiveness. This data informed discussions among regulators and allowed the development of strategies to improve dispersant delivery effectiveness.
Results
The Macondo spill response set a precedent for the integration of advanced spill response technologies and large-scale collaboration. The subsea dispersant strategy significantly reduced the oil's environmental footprint. The well was capped on 15 July 2010, using a containment dome and top kill operations. Post-response analysis showed a reduction in shoreline oiling and improved outcomes for marine ecosystems compared to surface-only strategies.
How did Deepwater Horizon change the industry?
- Establishment of the Global Industry Response Group and the Oil Spill Response Joint Industry Project, which led to enhanced requirements for aerial dispersant application
- OSRL teamed up with 2Excel Aviation to modify two Boeing 727-200s, one of them fitted with the TERSUS system, the first and only aerial dispersant system to be approved for a large jet aircraft. This system can deliver 15,000 litres of dispersant.
- The Macondo incident also led to the creation of the Subsea Well Response Project (SWRP), a joint initiative between several major oil and gas companies working together to enhance the industry’s capacity to respond to subsea well-control incidents.
- OSRL established a dedicated subsea services division and developed capping stacks now strategically positioned and accessible to subscribing members worldwide. These are supported by a comprehensive suite of supplementary equipment, vessels, and trained personnel.
- Streamlined response services with processes, such as the immediate deployment of our 5x5 technical advisor team, access to a Duty Manager at any time, equipment logistics support, and access to our global equipment stockpile.
- Resulted in significant improvements through collaborative agreements and enhanced response capabilities. While the risk of major incidents can never be entirely eliminated, these measures aim to improve preparedness and reduce potential environmental impacts in the event of a similar incident.
- The creation of the SCAT/Ops Liaison role in standard shoreline response good practice guides.
Key learnings
- Subsea innovation: Subsea dispersant application proved to be a game-changing technology for deepwater spill scenarios.
- Collaboration as a force multiplier: Integrating global expertise, resources, and real-time scientific input enhanced response effectiveness.
- Data-driven decision making: Continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies enabled better-targeted interventions.
- Preparedness: Investment in large-scale exercises and access to shared resources, such as the Global Dispersant Stockpile, ensured swift activation.
Why choose OSRL
With decades of experience and a global team of experts, we provide proven solutions tailored to diverse challenges. Our extensive inventory of specialised equipment and resources enables swift and effective responses to spills of all magnitudes. We collaborate with local organisations and regulatory bodies worldwide, ensuring seamless integration and alignment in response operations. By leveraging the latest advancements in spill response, we continuously enhance our methods and capabilities to address evolving environmental and industry needs.
Want to talk about spill response?
OSRL offers a holistic approach to spill response, with solutions for offshore, inland and subsea incidents. Our teams are trained to operate in all environments—from remote regions to extreme cold—and bring specialised capability to all aspects of spill response, including areas like oiled wildlife that require specific expertise. Our members get access to technical advisors, our Global Dispersant Stockpile, Aviation Services, and Equipment Hire solutions.
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