--> Abstract: 2005 Hurricane Impacts to U.S. Energy Infrastructure in Coastal Louisiana, by Karl Morgan; #90078 (2008)

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2005 Hurricane Impacts to U.S. Energy Infrastructure in Coastal Louisiana

Karl Morgan
Coastal Management Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA

Coastal Louisiana provides 27% of the U. S. energy production and transports 40% of its energy products through an extensive pipeline system that extends from many miles offshore through the coastal marshes. Much of this infrastructure was severely impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, resulting in rapidly rising energy costs for Americans. This infrastructure and the energy it produces and transports remains at risk for the foreseeable future.

During hurricanes, offshore production platforms have to be shut in and crews evacuated. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged many of these platforms, and resumption of production was thus delayed. Additionally, many pipelines were moved or broken by hurricane forces.

This poster will show the extent of the energy infrastructure at risk, reveal how much of the infrastructure was damaged by the 2005 hurricanes, and explain how much impact these storms have on production and the resumption of activities. Data from various sources in different formats was gathered, reformatted and overlaid to show the interconnection of this infrastructure. Some of the damages from the 2005 hurricanes will be highlighted to exemplify the impacts possible from hurricanes.

As an example, MMS reports that the latest tropical depression, which was not yet a tropical storm, shut in almost 20% of the oil (251,258 BOPD) and 9% of the gas (676 MMCF/D) from the Gulf of Mexico. These disruptions were just from precautionary measures to ensure the safety of crews.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas