Press Release
New Notification System Promotes Safe Practices for Gulf Region’s Offshore Interests
GulfSafe maps locations of submerged pipelines, telecommunications cables and environmental concerns in the Gulf of Mexico and Straits of Florida
Dallas, TX (March XX, 2009) – Launched in February, GulfSafe is a member-funded notification system developed for oil, gas and telecommunications companies, as well as state and federal government agencies, operating in the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida. This free, Web-based system is designed to keep subsurface infrastructure, workers and environmental interests in the region safe from damage due to offshore drilling, construction and repairs. This important public service initiative is run by Dallas-based Texas Excavation Safety System, Inc. (TESS), which has more 20 years experience operating one of the largest land-based notification systems in the United States.
The Gulf region is home to the United States’ largest producers of oil and gas. Infrastructure in this area is expanding and vital to both the Gulf States’ and the nation’s economies. There are 4,000 platforms, 33,000 oil wells, 35,000 miles of gas pipelines and a vast telecommunications network at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. In the near future, this area will accommodate wind turbine electric generation, wave energy and new offshore oil ports.
Submerged pipelines and cables are constantly moving due to currents, storms and other geological conditions. This movement has made it difficult for those working in the Gulf to identify areas that are free of infrastructure. As a result, gas pipelines can be damaged, telecommunications lines broken and water and sewer lines can be shut down for nearby islands. In addition, hydrocarbons can be released which could threaten the maritime environment. Data shows there has been one incident resulting in a damage for every 4,300 miles of pipeline each year.
“The infrastructure in the Gulf region is critical to national security, and GulfSafe will aid that effort by improving the safety of workers and dive teams operating in the area,” said Jack Garrett, Director of Regulatory Services, GulfSafe. “GulfSafe also helps protect the investment made in developing the region’s abundant energy and environmental resources. All oil, gas, and telecommunications operators as well as government agencies with interests in the Gulf are encouraged to join this important safety effort.”
Members, which include energy companies and government agencies, are the core of GulfSafe’s operations. These organizations provide GulfSafe with data on the location of their submerged structures, which are then entered into the notification system’s Web-based software. Anyone planning on working in the Gulf region should notify GulfSafe seven days in advance so members’ facilities can be identified by the software’s geospatial technology and work can be completed safely.
“We joined GulfSafe because El Paso Pipeline Group has more than 2,500 miles of pipeline in the Gulf and this new notification system will help us mitigate risk and guarantee the safety of our workers and resources in this region,” said Patrick Carey, Director of DOT Compliance at El Paso Pipeline Group. “GulfSafe will help us deliver on our corporate promise to be a good neighbor and a good, safe place to work.”
GulfSafe is the only notification system functioning beyond sight of land. TESS operates one of the largest one-call notification centers in the United States, processing over two million incoming notifications annually from professional excavators and the general public planning to dig on land. GulfSafe will share notification requests with all five land-based one-call centers on the Gulf coast. Sharing information will ensure continuity between onshore and offshore operations. For more information about GulfSafe, visit www.gulfsafe.com.
