Page Contents: Section | Significance | Background | Location & Dates | Taxonomic Contents | Documentation | Description of Collection | Collection Inventory | Collection Assets
Thailand Unocal
Section Responsible for Processing
MBC
Significance
Six platforms in the central Gulf of Thailand were studied during the summer of 1990. Four of these were wellhead platforms, where wells were drilled with a low-toxicity oil-based mud and the cuttings discharged into the sea, and two were processing platforms, where produced waters are treated, consolidated, and discharged into the marine environment.
Background
The four wellhead platforms that were chosen were Baanpot Wellhead (BWC), Erawan Wellhead K (EWK), Erawan Wellhead P (EWP), and Platong Wellhead E (PWE). The two processing platforms were Erawan Production B (EPB) and Platong Central Production (PCP). At each platform a radial array of stations were sampled. The area around each platform was divided into four quadrants, with the axes oriented north/south and east/west. Sampling stations were situated at the intersection of 12 selected radii (three per quadrant) and four concentric rings positioned distances of 50, 100, 250, and 1,000 in from the center of each platform. Quadrants were designated using Roman numerals I-IV (clockwise from the northwest), concentric rings were designated by using the letters A-D (from the 50m ring to the 1,000m ring, respectively). The three radii within each quadrant were numbered 1-3. To compare platforms with likely background conditions, six control sites located ~10km east or west of the study area were selected for sampling. Control Sites 1 and 2 were positioned west and east of the Platong field. Control Sites 3 and 4 (unfavorable weather precluded sampling at Site 4) were located west and east of the Erawan field. Control Sites 5 and 6 were positioned west and east of the Baanpot field.
At each site
- radial array of stations sampled
- area around each platform divided into 4 quadrants (roman numerals I-IV), axes oriented north/south & east/west
- sampling stations at intersection of 12 selected radii (3 per quadrant, numbered 1-3) & 4 concentric rings at distances of 40, 100, 250, & 1000 meters from center of platform (rings A-D)
Samples taken with 0.04 m2 Young modified van-Veen grab sampler
3 grabs from each of 5 control sites. 1 grab from each of 48 planned stations around each platform.
On board, rinsed over 0.5 mm sieves, put into 10% buffered formalin.
At Battelle Duxbury samples transferred into 70% ethanol & stained with Rose Bengal and sorted.
Collection Location and Dates
BWC = Baanpot Wellhead C (well drilled with low-toxicity oil-based mud & cuttings discharged into sea)
EWK = Erawan Wellhead K (well drilled with low-toxicity oil-based mud & cuttings discharged into sea)
EWP = Erawan Wellhead P (well drilled with low-toxicity oil-based mud & cuttings discharged into sea)
PWE = Platong Wellhead E (well drilled with low-toxicity oil-based mud & cuttings discharged into sea)
EPB = Erawan Production B (processing platform where produced waters are treated, consolidated, & discharged into marine environment)
PCP = Platong Central Production (processing platform where produced waters are treated, consolidated, & discharged into marine environment)
6 control sites, each approx. 10 km east or west of study area
Control sites 1 & 2 west & east of Platong field
Control sites 3 & 4 west & east of Erawan field (4 not sampled due to bad weather)
Control sites 5 & 6 west & east of Baanpot field
Platform, Drilling Period, Total Drill Time (days):
EWK, 04/79-02/86, 139
BWC, 02/84-12/87, 145
PWE, 02/85-02/87, 56
EWP, 10/88-03/90, 67
Geographic coordinates of many stations, quadrants, and rings provided in Fitzugh 2002 paper.
Taxonomic Contents
Polychaetes
Documentation
Fitzhugh 2002, Kelly et al. 1998, Kropp 2004. Three papers are on wg-publicity-website Google Drive.
Description of Collection
Wet collection in the Polychaete General and Survey section of NHMLA. Identified to taxonomic level.
Collection Inventory
~One packed bank. Lots are in 1/4 drams.
Collection Assets
No collection assets available.