A key element in the UK offshore industry’s oilspill response capability is being launched by Energy Minister Charles Hendry at Offshore Europe today.
The £9million capping device – built to seal off an uncontrolled subsea well in the event of a major incident, such as BP’s spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 – is rated for deployment in water depths up to 10,000ft on wells producing up to 75,000 barrels per day.
It will be handed over to Oil Spill Response, which will store it at the Cameron base, at Portlethen.