Helix’ Floating Production Unit Loses Power in Gulf of Mexico Resulting in Emergency Disconnect

The Helix Producer 1 (HP-1), a former Baltic Sea train ferry, now floating production unit in the Gulf of Mexico, was forced to hit the emergency disconnect button and shut-in production while on location at the Phoenix Field in Green Canyon Block 237 yesterday.

Talos Energy, the operator of the field notes in a statement that the vessel, owned by Helix Energy Solutions Group, “experienced a power outage at 1:45 p.m. CST on Friday while testing the ship power management system.”

Prior to the emergency disconnect, the vessel was producing at a rate of 13,500 barrels of oil per day while dynamically positioned in 2000 feet of water. Less than a gallon of hydrocarbons were released into the environment, the company notes.

Talos adds that although electrical power has since been restored, production has not yet resumed while an investigation into the incident is launched by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Helix ESG and Talos Energy.

The following is an image of the disconnectable turret on the HP-1.

For an in-depth look at the Helix Producer 1 and an explanation of how the disconnectable transfer system will be re-engaged with the vessel, please click the following link:

The First Ship-Shaped Production Unit in the Gulf of Mexico – Helix ESG’s “Producer I”