Major oil companies, including bp and Chevron, have shut-in production at their offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Ian strengthens into a Category 3 storm.
A warning by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) against a possible powerful hurricane within two days has alerted several offshore oil companies in the region which contains more than half of the country’s petroleum refining capacity.
British energy giant bp said it evacuated its staff from two oil platforms, the combined production of which corresponds to around 380,000 barrels per day (bpd). The platforms are responsible for production of nearly 750 million cubic feet per day of natural gas.
Some 100,000 bpd of oil and 90 million cubic feet per day of natural gas production was halted in two of Chevron’s offshore oil platforms.
Occidental Petroleum and Hess, likewise, said they have been taking measures against the hurricane.
Oil production in the Gulf of Mexico saw several disruptions since August last year.
Tropical Storm Ida in late August and Tropical Storm Nicholas in mid-September brought production in the region to a halt.
By Sibel Morrow
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr