The forensic examination of the Deepwater Horizon blowout preventer (BOP) is now concluded, and DNV has submitted its report to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), who today made the report publically available.

The blowout preventer, a 50 foot - 300 ton assembly was raised and taken to NASA’s secure facility in Michoud, Lousiana in August for forensic examination. DNV has utilized its forensic investigation expertise from the Columbus, Ohio office and its subsea equipment (BOP) expertise from the Houston, Texas office in the project.

BOEMRE/U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Joint Investigation Team today announced that it will hold a seventh session of public hearings the week of April 4, 2011. The hearings, which will focus specifically on the forensic examination of the Deepwater Horizon blowout preventer, are scheduled to take place at the Holiday Inn Metairie, New Orleans Airport, 2261 North Causeway Blvd., Metairie, La.

The forensic examination is one aspect of the much broader comprehensive investigation into the causes of the Deepwater Horizon explosion, loss of life, casualty loss, and the subsequent oil spill. Although the full investigation report is not expected to be released until sometime this summer, a report on the BOP and other matters is scheduled to be issued within the next month.

As investigator DNV is contractually bound to refer all media inquiries to BOEMRE, Eileen Angelico, Gulf of Mexico Region Public Affairs.

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