A threatening storm in the Gulf of Mexico has forced oil and gas operators to evacuate six production platforms and one rig, and shut-in oil and natural gas production, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) said today (29 August).
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Tropical Depression No. 9. |
As of 11:30 a.m. CST, personnel have been evacuated from a total of six production platforms, equivalent to less than 1% (0.77%) of the 781 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, due to Tropical Depression No. 9. In addition, personnel have been evacuated from one rig (non-dynamically positioned (DP) rig), which is equivalent to 6.25% of the 16 rigs of this type currently operating in the GoM.
In addition, five DP rigs have moved off location out of the storm’s path as a precaution, BSEE said. This number represents 20% of the 25 DP rigs currently operating in the GoM.
According to BSEE, as part of the evacuation process, personnel activate the applicable shut-in procedure, which can frequently be accomplished from a remote location. This involves closing the sub-surface safety valves located below the surface of the ocean floor to prevent the release of oil or gas. During previous hurricane seasons, the shut-in valves functioned 100% of the time, efficiently shutting in production from wells on the Outer Continental Shelf and protecting the marine and coastal environments. Shutting-in oil and gas production is a standard procedure conducted by industry for safety and environmental reasons.
From operator reports, it is estimated that approximately 11.48 % of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in. It is also estimated that approximately 5.51% of the natural gas production in the GoM has been shut-in. Shut-in production information included in these reports is based on the amount of oil and gas the operator expected to produce that day. The shut-in production figures therefore are estimates, which BSEE compares to historical production reports to ensure the estimates follow a logical pattern.
The BSEE Hurricane Response Team has been activated and is monitoring the operators’ activities. The team will continue to work with offshore operators and other state and federal agencies until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat to Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activities.
After the storm has passed, facilities will be inspected. Once all standard checks have been completed, production from undamaged facilities will be brought back on line immediately. Facilities sustaining damage may take longer to bring back on line. BSEE will continue to update the evacuation and shut-in statistics at 1:00 p.m. CST each day as appropriate.
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