Overview
West Delta Block 83 W5 Production Facility is an operational oil extraction site near Pilottown, Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. It processes crude oil from offshore wells in the West Delta field.
West Delta Block 83 W5 Production Facility is an operational oil extraction facility located approximately 13 miles southwest of Pilottown, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Situated in the Gulf of Mexico, this facility is part of the extensive offshore oil infrastructure that characterizes the U.S. Gulf Coast region. The facility's primary function is to extract and process crude oil from the West Delta field, contributing to the nation's domestic energy supply. As an offshore production facility, it operates under the regulatory oversight of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These agencies enforce standards for safety, environmental protection, and operational integrity, including the Clean Air Act Refinery MACT and spill prevention regulations. The facility's NAICS codes (211111, 211120, 332812) indicate involvement in crude petroleum extraction, natural gas extraction, and metal container manufacturing, suggesting a multi-faceted operation. The facility's location in the Gulf of Mexico places it in a region with significant environmental sensitivity, including coastal wetlands and marine habitats. Its operations are subject to strict spill prevention and response protocols under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The facility plays a role in the regional energy infrastructure, supporting local employment and the broader U.S. energy market.
Environmental context
The facility is located in the Gulf of Mexico, a region with rich marine biodiversity and critical coastal wetlands. Offshore oil extraction poses risks of oil spills, which can harm marine life and coastal ecosystems. Regulatory frameworks such as the EPA's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule and BSEE's safety and environmental management systems (SEMS) are designed to mitigate these risks. The facility's proximity to the Mississippi River Delta adds to the environmental sensitivity, as any spill could impact fragile wetland habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located approximately 13 miles southwest of Pilottown, Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. It is situated in Plaquemines Parish, within the West Delta field.
It is an operational oil extraction facility that processes crude oil from offshore wells. It is part of the Gulf of Mexico's oil infrastructure, contributing to U.S. domestic energy production.
The facility operates under the oversight of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforce safety, environmental, and operational standards.
Key regulations include the Clean Air Act Refinery MACT, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and BSEE's safety and environmental management systems (SEMS). These address air emissions, spill prevention, and operational safety.
The primary risks include oil spills, which can harm marine life and coastal ecosystems. The facility's location in the Gulf of Mexico, near sensitive wetlands, necessitates robust spill prevention and response measures.
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