On April 20, 2010, a multiple-fatality incident occurred at the Macondo oil well approximately 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico during temporary well-abandonment activities on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. Control of the well was lost, resulting in a blowout—the uncontrolled release of oil and gas) from the well. On the rig, the hydrocarbons found an ignition source and ignited. The resulting explosions and fire led to the deaths of 11 individuals, serious physical injuries to 17 others, evacuation of 115 individuals from the rig, sinking of the Deepwater Horizon, and massive marine and coastal damage from a reported 4 million barrels of released hydrocarbons.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released its final investigation report from this incident in April 2016. The CSB builds on previously published investigation reports by analyzing evidence that, in some respects, became available only following their publication. The focus of this presentation will be to provide highlights regarding the drilling contractor/operator relationship. As exemplified at Macondo, the operator and drilling contractor must actively work to bridge the gap between work-as-imagined (WAI) in the drilling program and work-as-done (WAD) by the well operations crew.

PARKING AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Visitor parking is available in the Visitor Garage, levels G-1 and G-2. Parking is metered and payable by credit card only. All visitors must check-in on level 2 at either the Tower Concierge Desk or the Marathon Oil Corporation Reception Desk. Please have photo identification available upon check-in.