Engineers and analysts from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement's (BSEE) Gulf of Mexico and Alaska Regions recently evaluated Spill Response Operations Training and Equipment Verification exercises conducted by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company and its oil spill removal contractor at the Port of Morgan City, La. These exercises are required periodically to test spill response team training and resource availability, as part of each operator’s Oil Spill Response Plan.

Photo courtesy: BSEE

The exercises were held in mid-May on board two responder vessels of Clean Gulf Associates, which was contracted by Tennessee Gas Pipeline. During the spill response exercise, BSEE staff evaluated Clean Gulf’s Spill Response team and their training of a group of responders seeking team member certification. Along with the spill response training evaluation, BSEE simultaneously conducted an equipment verification of Clean Gulf’s oil spill resources. Both vessels maneuvered offshore and deployed specialized equipment to simulate a spill response. The responders also tested the effectiveness of their oil boom apparatus, skimmers, motorized components and vessel performance. Staff from BSEE's Oil Spill Preparedness Division and Tennessee Gas Pipeline boarded each vessel and assessed response actions.

Spill Response Operations Training and Equipment Verification exercises are part BSEE's many efforts to make sure that offshore operators will be ready to effectively manage a real spill, should one occur.