(S&P Global) US Gulf of Mexico upstream operators have shut more production, the US’ Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said Aug. 24, as twin storms expected to make landfall virtually back to back raced toward the Gulf Coast.
Domestic offshore operators have shut about 1.523 million b/d of oil from US Gulf platforms, or about 82% of the region’s crude production, and 1.542 Bcf/d of gas, or nearly 57% of its gas output, BSEE said in its daily update. A day earlier, 57.6% of oil and 44.6% of gas production was shut, the agency said.
In addition, roughly 281 platforms, nearly 44% of the Gulf’s total, had been evacuated as of 11:30 am CT Aug. 24 as Tropical Depression Marco and Tropical Storm Laura moved closer to the Gulf Coast. Also, six rigs, or 60% of the total in the region, had been evacuated.
Ten ports in the New Orleans area have been closed, the US Coast Guard said, and the Houston Pilots have halted inbound traffic on the Houston Ship Channel.
