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Isaias shuts in most US Gulf oil production

Hurricane Isaias has interrupted most daily oil production in the US Gulf of Mexico. The offshore regulator estimates oil shut-ins at 71.51 per cent and gas shut-ins at 58.84 per cent, based on companies’ October 9 submissions. Personnel have left 129 production platforms. Restarting depends on inspections after the storm passes.

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A fixed offshore oil production platform with an empty external catwalk and weathered pipework above blue-green water.

Oil shut-ins cover most expected Gulf production

Hurricane Isaias prompted operators to shut in most daily oil production in the US Gulf of Mexico. The Marine Minerals Administration, the US offshore energy regulator, estimated the interrupted share at approximately 71.51 per cent in its October 9 update. OilPrice also reported the hurricane-related shutdowns, citing the regulator’s figures.[1], [2]

The regulator put natural gas shut-ins at 58.84 per cent. Its estimates use submissions from 12 companies and compare interrupted output with the amount operators expected to produce that day. They describe a production interruption, rather than the extent of physical damage to the installations.[1]

Personnel leave platforms as mobile rigs move aside

Personnel were evacuated from 129 of the Gulf’s 371 staffed production platforms, a share of 34.77 per cent. These fixed structures produce oil and gas and send it ashore. Eight of the 11 drilling rigs without dynamic positioning were also evacuated. Two of 17 dynamically positioned rigs moved out of the storm’s path with their crews remaining aboard; those rigs maintain position using thrusters and propellers.[1]

Inspections determine when wells can restart

During evacuation, operators close safety valves below the seabed to stop oil or gas flowing from the wells. The regulator describes this as a standard safety and environmental protection procedure that can sometimes be performed remotely. It says facilities will be inspected after the storm. Undamaged installations can resume production after standard checks, while damaged facilities may require longer. No common restart date was announced.[1]

References

  1. News sourceMarine Minerals AdministrationGulf oil production shut-ins reach 71.51 percent↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceOilPrice.comHurricane Isaias shuts in 71.51% of US Gulf oil output↩
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