Independence Trail and Hub Operations Suspended
  by: OilOnline
  Thursday, April 10, 2008

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. announced that production at the Independence Hub natural gas platform at Mississippi Canyon Block 920 in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in as a result of a leak on the Independence Trail export pipeline. No fire or injuries were associated with the leak which was first suspected yesterday, prompting the shut-down of operations as a safety precaution. The leak was confirmed this morning using a remote-operated vehicle. There are no indications of any environmental impact and Enterprise has notified the appropriate regulatory agencies of the situation.

Initial investigations indicate that the leak is originating from a stainless steel o-ring gasket located on the flex joint in approximately 85 feet of water. The flex joint assembly, which connects the pipeline to the platform, allows the pipeline to withstand movements caused by the platform. Enterprise is in the process of dispatching equipment and personnel required to make the necessary repairs which are expected to arrive within the next few days. The partnership currently estimates that the repairs will take one to four weeks.

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