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About 17% of crude oil production and 7% of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico were disrupted as a result of Hurricane Rafael, the US Safety and Security Office said Wednesday. enforcement of environmental laws.
Energy producers shut down 304,418 barrels per day of oil production and nearly 131 million cubic feet of natural gas in Gulf waters, the bureau said.
Rafael, a Category 3 hurricane, was about 70 miles (110 km) south of Havana, Cuba, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph), according to the latest advisory from the US National Hurricane Center.
Oil and gas producers began shutting down Gulf of Mexico production and removing workers from rigs this week, in anticipation of a late-season storm that threatens offshore fields.
Eleven production platforms, about 3% of the Gulf of Mexico's total, and one drilling platform were evacuated, the offshore regulator said, citing producer reports.
The Gulf of Mexico accounts for about 15% of the nation's oil production and 2% of natural gas production, according to federal data.
