Image from AccuWeather. Click to enlarge. |
The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) updated its statistics on storm preparations in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in advance of Tropical Depression No. 9.
According to their report, as of 1:15 p.m. on 30 August, 22.06% of current oil production, representing approximately 352,946 bo/d, and 10.18% of natural gas production, representing 346 MMcf/d, in the GoM has been shut-in, in advance of the storm.
BSEE reported further that a total of nine production platforms, 1.2% of 750 manned platforms in the GoM, have been evacuated. BSEE states that personnel from one non-DP rig has also been evacuated. Seven DP rigs, 37% of 19 DP rigs in the GoM, have moved off location, out of the storm’s path.
According to a report from AccuWeather today (30 August), the center of Tropical Depression No. 9 is approximately 350mi west of Key West, Florida. AccuWeather says that the storm is expected to turn toward the northeastern Gulf Coast of the US later this week, and may strengthen into a tropical storm by Thursday morning.
“Latest indications point toward the system making landfall along the northeastern Gulf Coast, most likely in the Big Bend area of the Florida coast on Thursday,” according to AccuWeather.
Read more