Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of Sept. 7, the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) estimates 79.33% of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico remains shut in following Hurricane Ida. About 77.89% of the gas production remains shut in.
BSEE continues to monitor offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico as they return to platforms and rigs following the storm.
Personnel are still evacuated from of 79 production platforms, 14.11% of the 560 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Personnel are still evacuated from 4 non-dynamically positioned rigs, equivalent to 36.36% of the 11 rigs of this type currently operating in the Gulf. Two of 15 dynamically positioned rigs remain off location.
This survey is reflective of 34 companies’ reports as of 11:30 CDT Sept. 7.
Impacts, assessments
Companies and agencies continue to assess impacts to operations.
According to a Sept. 7 update from the US Department of Energy, five refineries in Louisiana remain shut, accounting for about 1.0 million b/d of refinery capacity, or about 6% of the total US operable refining capacity.
All three refineries in the Baton Rouge area and one near New Orleans (1.3 million b/d of refinery capacity) have initiated the restart process, although the refiners will not produce at full rates for several days, the agency said. Refinery operations cannot restart until feedstock supply, power, and other essential third-party utilities are restored. Fuel stocks in the area are being drawn down from storage while refineries and offshore production are restored.
Offshore, Shell started the process of redeploying personnel to its Auger asset and is continuing redeployment to its Enchilada-Salsa asset, the company said in a Sept. 7 update.
The company’s Perdido asset in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico was never disrupted by the hurricane and its floating production, storage, and offloading vessel, the Turritella (also known as Stones) is online as well.
The operator’s remaining deep water assets—Appomattox, Mars, Olympus, Ursa, Auger, and Enchilada-Salsa—remain shut in. About 80% of Shell-operated production remains offline. The company’s inspections on board confirm that there is no significant structural damage to these Shell deep water assets impacted by the storm. The crews will focus on making any necessary repairs in a safe, sustainable manner, the company said.
Damage assessments continue at Shell’s West Delta-143 (WD-143) offshore infrastructure, operated by Shell Pipeline.
The company has restaffed Shell Pipeline’s Ship Shoal 28 asset and is now working to finalize assessment of the platform and pipelines. A standup test will be conducted prior to restart of the pipeline.
Platform startup will remain dependent on the availability of downstream infrastructure including pipelines and delivery locations, the company said.
Shell’s Norco manufacturing facility continues to assess impacts. The site is still without electrical power and remains in the elevated flare with visible smoking. The company is continuing to complete repairs and is making improvements to minimize flaring until power is restored. Air monitoring is being conducted on the fence line and the company is using a third-party resource for air monitoring in the community, it said, noting that the monitoring will continue through the duration of the event.
