Offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico have evacuated platforms and rigs in the path of Hurricane Isaac, The The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has reported.
Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted to BSEE as of 11:30 a.m. CDT yesterday, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 505 production platforms, equivalent to 84.73 percent of the 596 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Furthermore Personnel have been evacuated from 50 rigs, equivalent to 65.79 percent of the 76 rigs currently operating in the Gulf. Rigs can include several types of self-contained offshore drilling facilities including jackup rigs, submersibles and semisubmersibles.
From operator reports, it is estimated that approximately 94.72 percent of the current daily oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in. It is also estimated that approximately 71.64 percent of the current daily natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in.
The National Weather Service reports that Isaac continues to move slowly northwestward over southeastern Louisiana but should turn toward the north-northwest by Thursday night or early Friday as it moves farther inland. Heavy rain and a significant flood threat are expected to spread inland across parts of the central U.S. during the next several days. Water levels along the northern Gulf Coast will remain elevated through early Thursday.
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, August 29, 2012; Image: Nasa