Tropical storm Cindy has forced the Gulf of Mexico operators to evacuate 40 production platforms, according to an update on Thursday by the U.S. authorities.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Hurricane Response Team said it would continue to work with offshore operators and other state and federal agencies until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat to Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activities.
Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 CDT Thursday, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 40 production platforms, 5.43% percent of the 737 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Apart from production platforms, personnel have been evacuated from one rig (non-dynamically positioned (DP) rig), equivalent to 6.67% percent of the 15 rigs of this type currently operating in the Gulf.
No DP rigs have moved off location out of the storm’s path as a precaution.
From operator reports, it is estimated that approximately 17.24 percent of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in. It is also estimated that approximately 0.32 percent of the natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in.
After the storm has passed, facilities will be inspected. Once all standard checks have been completed, production from undamaged facilities will be brought back on line immediately. Facilities sustaining damage may take longer to bring back online.