Oil and natural gas production disruptions in the US Gulf of Mexico have eased after Hurricane Isaias weakened into a post-tropical cyclone over the weekend, although more than half of the region’s daily crude output remains shut in, according to data released by the Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) on Sunday.
The agency said approximately 1.17 million barrels per day of oil production, equivalent to 57.54% of the region’s daily output, remains suspended, down from 62.89% reported on Thursday.
Natural gas production shut-ins have also declined to 49.11% of daily output, equivalent to approximately 1.05 billion cubic feet per day, compared with 57.35% previously.
According to operator reports submitted as of 1600 GMT, personnel remain evacuated from 32 production platforms, representing 8.63% of the 371 manned platforms operating in the region.
The figure marks a sharp decline from the 121 platform evacuations reported on Thursday, indicating that offshore operators have begun returning personnel to facilities as storm-related risks ease.
The agency also reported that personnel had been evacuated from one non-dynamically positioned drilling rig, while none of the region’s 17 dynamically positioned rigs remained relocated due to the storm.
Offshore operators have implemented standard safety procedures, including shutting in wells to prevent potential oil and gas releases during severe weather.
The MMA said facilities will undergo inspections after the storm passes, with production at undamaged installations expected to resume immediately following standard safety checks.
However, facilities that sustained damage may require additional time before operations can restart.