More oil production taken of line ahead of Gustav
Energy companies have shut down more offshore production platforms as Gustav regained full hurricane force and neared the Gulf of Mexico.
By Agencies |
NEW ORLEANS: Energy companies have shut down more offshore production platforms as Gustav regained full hurricane force and neared the Gulf of Mexico.
The federal Minerals Management Service, which manages offshore leases, said nearly 7 percent of the Gulf's daily oil production of 1.3 million barrels, or 86,000, had been turned off. Nearly 2 percent of the daily natural gas production of 7.4 billion cubic feet, or 136 million cubic feet, has been stopped.
Six fixed production platforms had been shut down following evacuations. Seventeen drilling rigs, which are mobile and explore for petroleum, also had been evacuated and shut down, the MMS said.
The agency said 717 staffed production platforms and 121 drilling rigs are currently operating in the Gulf.
About 35,000 people work in the Gulf, staffing offshore rigs and production facilities, among other tasks, according to the MMS.
Forecasters said Hurricane Gustav could reach the U.S. Gulf Coast early Tuesday, and may hit the same areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
Those storms destroyed 115 of the Gulf's 4,000 oil and gas platforms, damaged 52 others and triggered petroleum price spikes. The Gulf produces roughly 25 percent of the nation's oil and 15 percent of its natural gas.
The federal Minerals Management Service, which manages offshore leases, said nearly 7 percent of the Gulf's daily oil production of 1.3 million barrels, or 86,000, had been turned off. Nearly 2 percent of the daily natural gas production of 7.4 billion cubic feet, or 136 million cubic feet, has been stopped.
Six fixed production platforms had been shut down following evacuations. Seventeen drilling rigs, which are mobile and explore for petroleum, also had been evacuated and shut down, the MMS said.
The agency said 717 staffed production platforms and 121 drilling rigs are currently operating in the Gulf.
About 35,000 people work in the Gulf, staffing offshore rigs and production facilities, among other tasks, according to the MMS.
Forecasters said Hurricane Gustav could reach the U.S. Gulf Coast early Tuesday, and may hit the same areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
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Those storms destroyed 115 of the Gulf's 4,000 oil and gas platforms, damaged 52 others and triggered petroleum price spikes. The Gulf produces roughly 25 percent of the nation's oil and 15 percent of its natural gas.
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