Oil platforms, pipelines, and refineries in and along the US Gulf of Mexico are facing a potential threat from stronger hurricanes, which could result in damages and oil leaks, analysts said. On Monday, the US Coast Guard said it received almost 350 reports of leaks in the region after Hurricane Ida, highlighting the dangers from ageing and idled energy infrastructure. A task force consisting of federal and state agencies has been set up to track spills and address storm damages.
A study by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) in March concluded that regulators had insufficient oversight processes to ensure the safety of offshore pipelines. It also reported that the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) also does not properly address risks from idled infrastructure on the seafloor. GAO said there is no funding source to remove decommissioned pipelines if they were found to pose environmental risks.
GAO reported that more than 97% of all decommissioned pipelines were still laying on the Gulf’s seafloor since the 1960s. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, some 6,000 structures have been installed in the US Gulf of Mexico since 1942. Of which, 3,500 structures are still standing, with 200 of them being inactive. GAO warned that ageing pipelines are prone to damage from corrosion, mudslides, and erosion. Hurricanes can also move pipelines extensive distances.
