Shell shut-in production from all wells connected to its Brutus platform in the US Gulf of Mexico Thursday after a leak was detected, leaving a two-mile by 13-mile sheen on the water, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. About 2,100 barrels of crude were reported as having leaked, the agency said. “When the cause of the spill is determined and repairs are made we will resume operations when it’s safe to do so,” Shell spokesman Curtis Smith said Friday. The Brutus platform, located offshore about 97 miles south of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, lies in the Glider Field area of Green Canyon Block 248. Shell currently operates four subsea wells in the field that produce the Mars and Poseidon grades of crude.
The Amberjack pipeline transports the crude to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port crude storage hub in Clovelly, Louisiana. Mars and Poseidon differentials firmed on the well closures Thursday, with Mars increasing 25 cents/b to be assessed at WTI cash minus $3.15/b and Poseidon rising 30 cents/b to an assessment of WTI cash minus $3.40/b. Both grades appeared to be holding onto those gains on Friday, with Mars heard traded last at WRI cash minus $3.15/b and Poseidon heard bid at minus $3.80/b and offered at minus $3.50/b. The US Coast Guard responded to the leak and Shell has started planning the cleanup process. View full article at www.platts.com