Business/economics

Slight Uptick in GOM Shut-Ins as TS Barry Continues Onshore

All 20 dynamically positioned rigs have returned to pre-storm locations. Operators' reports of evacuated personnel remain unchanged from yesterday.

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The National Hurricane Center reported today that Tropical Storm Barry continues to move across the northwestern portions of Louisiana today, and will move over Arkansas tonight and Monday.

From operator reports, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) estimates that approximately 73% of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in, which equates to about 1.4 million BOPD. This is an increase of 3% since yesterday. Sixty-two percent, or about 2.8 MMcf/D of natural gas, has been shut in. This is an increase of 6% since yesterday.

Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 CDT today, personnel remain evacuated from a total of 283 production platforms, 42% of the 669 manned platforms, unchanged from yesterday.

Personnel remain evacuated from 10 non-dynamically positioned rigs, equivalent to 48% of the 21 rigs of this type currently operating in the Gulf. However, none of the 20 dynamically positioned rigs operating are off location as of today’s report. They have all returned to pre-storm positioning.

After the storm has passed, facilities will be inspected. Once all standard checks have been completed, production from undamaged facilities will be brought back on line immediately. Facilities sustaining damage may take longer to bring back on line.

Shell reported yesterday that it had shut in the Salsa and Enchilada assets in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and curtailed production in the Mars Corridor in the West. About 75% of the average daily production of oil and gas flowing across its assets is continuing, and minimal personnel movement has occurred since nonessential workers were evacuated from seven of the company’s potentially affected assets.