BP Oil Spill
On the night of April 20, 2010, an explosion of the drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon off the coast of Louisiana, led to the largest oil spill in American history. The explosion, caused by a blowout of the wellhead more than a mile below the surface in the Gulf of Mexico, killed 11 men and injured 17 others. Millions of barrels of oil flowed into the Gulf for 87 days before the well was contained. The unprecedented event generated renewed interest in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Coast region. In a short time, people across the nation began to realize how the region is a treasured place for seafood, commerce, and natural resources and for a unique way of life. People came together for a common mission to respond to the spill’s threat to their ecosystems and their economies. The relationships forged across state lines and through levels of government were cemented together with citizens’ passion to recover and restore. It was the beginning of a commitment to collaboration that became the foundation of the programs and projects that followed. (Source: epa.gov)
ENGraphted Engineering Solutions was approached, based on their experience and involvement with the oil treatment industry and its ability to respond quickly. Within two weeks, Guy arrived on‐site with drawings that detailed the fast‐tract construction of a staging and processing area. The objective was to recover the crude oil and comply with projected throughput. Skimmings from the oil spill contained sea water, dispersant, seaweed, and of course crude oil. Within a month, the first barge of skimmings from the oil spill arrived on shore and was transported to‐site for treatment. Guy stayed on‐site to manage the construction and the initial treatment operation until operational crews were trained to take over the ongoing operation.