Following the ongoing response to Hurricane Helene, the US BSEE estimates that 3.35% of GOM oil operations are now shut down, up from the 30% reported on September 26.
The BSEE also confirmed that only 0.91% of natural gas production in the offshore region has been shut, down from the reported 17% on September 26.
On September 24, major oil companies, including Chevron, Shell and Equinor, began evacuating staff from their offshore facilities.
As of September 29, a total of three production platforms have been evacuated, or 0.81% of the total 371 manned platforms in the area.
In addition, one non-dynamically positioned (DP) drilling rig has been moved from the path of Hurricane Helene, representing 4.76% of the 21 DP drilling rigs currently operating in the Gulf.
The BSEE stated that personnel will remain on board and return to their original location once the storm has completely passed.
The organisation, which oversees improving safety and ensuring environmental protection in relation to the offshore energy industry, said: “Now that the storm has passed, the facilities will be inspected. After all standard checks have been carried out, production from undamaged facilities is immediately brought back online. Facilities that sustain damage may take longer to come back online.”
It is currently unclear how Hurricane Helene has affected the GOM’s overall production, as it produces 97% of U.S. offshore oil and gas. The region was also marked by hurricane Francine in early September, knocking out nearly a fifth of oil production.
The latest from the US Energy Information Administration prediction as GOM’s oil and gas production in 2024 amounted to 1.8 million barrels of crude oil per day and 1.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Falling oil and gas prices in the US have done the same stuck production this year as companies shift their focus to efficient drilling operations.
“Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activity recovers as Hurricane Helene moves north” was originally created and published by Offshore technologya brand owned by GlobalData.
The information on this site has been included in good faith for general information purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which reliance should be placed and we make no representation, warranty or guarantee, express or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking or refraining from any action on the basis of the content on our site.