Offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico have remained evacuated from platforms and rigs in response to Tropical Storm Nate.
According to Sunday’s report by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 CDT on Sunday, personnel remains evacuated from a total of 298 production platforms, 40.43 percent of the 737 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Personnel has been evacuated from 14 non-dynamically positioned (DP) drilling rigs which is equivalent to 70 percent of the 20 rigs of this type currently operating in the Gulf.
On the other hand, 10 of 18 DP rigs moved off location out of the hurricane’s path as a precaution. This number represents 55.6 percent of rigs operating in the Gulf of Mexico.
From operator reports, it is estimated that approximately 92.61 percent of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in, which equates to 1,620,612 barrels of oil per day. It is also estimated that approximately 77.74 percent of the natural gas production or 2,503.2 million cubic feet per day in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in.
The BSEE added that, now that the storm has passed, operators would begin to re-board and inspect facilities. Once all standard checks have been completed, production from undamaged facilities will be brought back online immediately.
Any facilities that sustained damage may take longer to bring back online. At the moment, no damages have been reported.