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Johannesburg - Diversified miner BHP Billiton (BIL) said on Tuesday that it has resumed work at the Neptune facility in the Gulf of Mexico.
During a routine inspection immediately prior to start up of the Neptune tension leg platform (TLP), BHP had found structural anomalies in the hull. As a safety precaution, the company made the decision to remove all personnel from the facility until the situation could be fully assessed.
"We have since performed a rigorous analysis that confirms the facility is safe for crews to return to work and crews began boarding the platform today. Further inspection and assessment is underway to determine the appropriate course of action to mitigate the anomaly," said the company in a statement.
The Neptune TLP, which is located approximately 120 miles off the Louisiana coastline, was scheduled to start up first oil and natural gas production by the end of March and BHP is currently assessing all the options in order to re-commence start up activities. The schedule for first production will be updated.
BHP is designated operator of the field with a 35% interest. Partners include Marathon Oil Company (30%), Woodside Energy (USA) Inc. (20%), a subsidiary of Woodside Petroleum Ltd., and Maxus (US) Exploration Company (15%).
Neptune is a single-column TLP and was installed in 1 300m of water on Green Canyon Block 613. The Neptune field comprises five blocks: Atwater Valley 573, 574, 575, 617 and 618 where water depths range from 1 275 to 2 000m.
- I-Net Bridge