Majority of Gulf of Mexico production still shut in

The U.S. Minerals Management Service reports that the majority of production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico is still shut-in, following the effects of Hurricane Gustav.

Around 90.5 percent of the oil production and 79.8 percent of the natural gas production is shut-in. MMS estimates that personnel from 334 platforms and 34 rigs in the U.S. Gulf are still evacuated. Many oil and gas operators and drilling contractors are still in the process of returning to their facilities in the Gulf and re-starting operations. ATP Oil & Gas Corp. announced minimal impact from Hurricane Gustav based on preliminary inspections of its production and drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Gustav's path was about 12 miles (19 km) east of the ATP Innovator production platform, moored at ATP's Mississippi Canyon Block 711 Gomez Hub. However, the Innovator held position and initial assessments found no significant damage. Due to shut-ins related to the storm, around 1 to 2 Bcfe of ATP's production will be deferred from the third quarter. The total duration of the shut-in production is unknown; however, ATP has reestablished production at a number of its facilities including Canyon Express, Garden Banks 409, and East Cameron 299. Stone Energy shut in around 310 MMcfe/d of production as a result of the hurricane. Based on initial inspections, all of Stone Energy's facilities and infrastructure appear intact, but some had minimal damage. Repairs will begin shortly.
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