BSEE: About 15% of US gulf oil output shut ahead of Nate

Some operators in the US Gulf of Mexico are evacuating offshore facilities in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Nate, which is expected to advance northward and move over the central gulf this weekend while possibly strengthening into a hurricane.

Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 a.m. CDT on Oct. 5, the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement estimates that 14.55% of US gulf crude oil production, or 254,607 b/d, has been shut.

BSEE also estimates that 6.42% of US gulf natural gas production, or 206.71 MMcfd, has been shut by operators.

Personnel have been evacuated from 6 of the 737 manned production platforms in the US gulf.

One of 18 dynamically positioned rigs has moved off location out of the storm’s possible path as a precaution. No personnel have been evacuated yet from 20 nondynamically positioned rigs operating in the US gulf.