Pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico

摘要

The Gulf of Mexico has a long history of exploration, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. These days it is a bit less swashbuckling and more structured in its approach, as one would expect in the technically demanding deepwater environment. Nevertheless, things can still happen faster than anywhere else because the regulatory climate is not particularly restrictive, the economic climate is very stable, and the physical climate is rather benign, bailing the occasional hurricane and my doomsday scenario on the course of the Mississippi. It is a perfect staging ground for the development and implementation of new ideas and technologies, which can thus be proven and applied in places where there are additional challenges whether economic, political or environmental. One such development that is noteworthy is the growing tendency to involve the installation contractor at an early stage of the project. Experience has shown that this is an important ingredient in a successful project, as his practical experience and knowledge of what his equipment can accomplish are essential to an optimized design and installation plan. I enjoyed the opportunity to bring you this progress report from the Gulf, thank you for your attention.