Gulf of Mexico industry restarts after Isidore, plans for Lili

Oct. 1, 2002
Gulf of Mexico producers mop up and resume production after tropical storm Isidore, while hurricane Lili enters the gulf—affecting production areas possibly by Thursday. MMS will close five Louisiana offices Oct. 2 until further notice; companies needing to contact district offices regarding operations, emergencies should refer to NTL 2000-G14 and NTL 2002-G11.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 1-- Gulf of Mexico producers continue to mop up after tropical storm Isidore and start up while keeping a wary eye on approaching hurricane Lili, which is next expected to enter the gulf—affecting production areas possibly by Thursday.

Only 47 platforms and 12 rigs in (US) federal waters off Louisiana remained off-stream as of 2:00 pm CDT Monday, the Minerals Management Service reported, down from a peak shut-in of 506 platforms and 90 rigs last Thursday and an improved 241 platforms and 31 rigs Friday.

There continue to be production losses of 275,187 b/d of oil and 1,166 MMcfd of natural gas Monday, compared with 1.4 million b/d of oil and 8,475 MMcfd of natural gas shut in last Thursday and 1.1 million b/d of oil and 6,399 MMcfd of natural gas shut in on Friday.

Lili's approach
Because of impending hurricane Lili, MMS said it would close its Gulf of Mexico regional office in New Orleans Oct. 2 until further notice, along with district offices in New Orleans, Houma, Lake Charles, and Lafayette. Companies that need to contact district offices regarding operations should refer to NTL 2000-G14.

Companies should follow emergency reporting procedures as directed in NTL 2002-G11, MMS said.