Explosive removal of offshore structures in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

A statistical description of the explosive removal of offshore structures in the federally regulated Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico are presented based on data collected by the US Minerals Management Service. The influence of factors such as water depth, planning area, configuration type, and structure age upon the application of explosive removal methods are investigated. The number of structures expected to be removed from the Gulf of Mexico using explosive methods is also forecast over a short-term time horizon according to structure, configuration type, water depth, and a planning area categorization.