The consortium’s response system builds on the equipment proven effective in the containment of the Deepwater Horizon blowout, including the Helix Fast Response System with the Q4000 intervention vessel and Helix Producer 1 from Helix Energy Solutions Group.[7]
HWCG’s core equipment includes two dual-ram capping stacks capable of operating in water depths through 10,000 feet.[8] These capping stacks can effectively shut-in and contain a subsea well. If a flow and capture is required, the system is capable of a process volume of 130,000 barrels of oily fluids per day and 220 million cubic feet of gas per day.[9]
HWCG maintains contracts and operating agreements with over thirty service providers to leverage additional expertise, assistance and equipment. This integrated response solution yielded a tested deployment response time[10] of less than seven days to cap a deepwater well, compared to the nearly 90 days needed to contain the Deepwater Horizon[11] blowout.
HWCG continues to run annual subsea incident response drills and collaborates with members, service sector companies and regulators[12] in order to continually test and improve its response plan.[13]