Chevron and Shell Evacuate Gulf Workers as Storm Threatens Production

Chevron and Shell began evacuating non-essential workers from Gulf of Mexico facilities Tuesday as Tropical Depression Nine strengthened and threatened offshore energy production.

Chevron moved personnel from its Gulf platforms while production from its operated assets remained at normal levels. Shell evacuated non-essential workers from six assets: Stones, Mars, Olympus, Ursa, Vito and Appomattox.

Gulf operators had shut in 185,120 barrels per day of oil production and 72 million cubic feet per day of natural-gas production as of 12:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. The shut-ins represented 9.24% of Gulf oil output and 3.36% of natural-gas production.

At 11 p.m. ET Tuesday, the depression had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The National Hurricane Center forecast the system would become a tropical storm early Wednesday and a hurricane Thursday, with an approach toward the northern Gulf Coast expected Friday.

The evacuations were precautionary, and Chevron said its operated production remained normal. The storm was still classified as Tropical Depression Nine in the latest advisory.