BSEE: 16% of GoM oil production shut-in as Helene moves toward northeastern Gulf Coast

The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is monitoring offshore oil and gas operations in the US Gulf of Mexico as Tropical Storm Helene moves toward Florida.

The National Hurricane Center said Sept. 24 that the storm is expected to rapidly intensify over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and be a major hurricane when it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.

Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 a.m. CDT Sept. 24, personnel have been evacuated from four production platforms, 1.08% of the 371 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).

No personnel have been evacuated from any of the five non-dynamically positioned (DP) rigs currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico.

Two dynamically positioned rigs have moved off location out of the storm’s path as a precaution. This number represents 9.5% of the 21 such rigs currently operating in the Gulf.

From operator reports, BSEE estimates that about 16.21% (284,000 b/d) of the current oil production and 11.2% (208 MMcfd) of the current natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in.

Production, infrastructure

There are new details from operators about preparations made for oil and gas infrastructure in the hurricane's path.

On Sept. 24, Shell said it continued to monitor Tropical Storm Helene for potential impacts to its assets and operations in the Gulf of Mexico. With a shift in forecast track, the company is beginning the process of restoring production at Stones. The day prior, the operator said it has shut in production at Stones as a precautionary measure.

Production at Appomattox continues to be curtailed. Non-essential personnel have been evacuated from Appomattox as well as from company assets in the Mars Corridor. Some drilling operations have been paused, Shell said.