Offshore staff
NEW ORLEANS – Oil and gas operators active in the Gulf of Mexico are monitoring the progress of Tropical Depression 13. The most recent report has the storm almost stationary in the Gulf about 210 mi (340 km) from the mouth of the Mississippi River south of New Orleans.
Forecasts expect the storm’s path to remain erratic, and for the center to reach the coast during the weekend.
Platforms and rigs in the GoM are being evacuated ahead of the storm. At last report, personnel are off of nine production platforms. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement estimates that 5.7% of the GoM oil production and 2.4% of the gas production are shut-in.
Winds in the depression are at about 35 mph and expected to strengthen to tropical storm levels. A storm warning is in effect from Pascagoula, Mississippi, to Sabine Pass, Texas.
09/02/2011
