HOUSTON (Reuters) – Energy pipeline operator Enbridge (NYSE:) has pulled workers from several offshore platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the company told customers, as Tropical Storm Francine headed for a landfall in Louisiana.
Francine has halted oil and gas production on offshore platforms operated by Chevron (NYSE:), ExxonMobil (NYSE:) and Shell (LON:). The first official measure of the storm’s impact on U.S. energy production will be released later on Tuesday by the U.S. regulator, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
Enbridge, which operates an extensive network of offshore pipelines that carry oil and gas to onshore facilities, has evacuated personnel from three offshore platforms. Operations will continue at each company with the help of third-party operators, according to communications to customers.
Personnel were removed from the South Marsh Island 76, Ship Shoal 207 and 332 platforms, the customer said. South Marsh Island 76 connects a 1 billion cubic feet per day offshore pipeline.
The Manta Ray Gas Gathering system declared force majeure at the Green Canyon 158 Brutus receiving point and stopped receiving natural gas, Enbridge told customers.
Force majeure is a provision that allows a contract to be suspended due to unforeseen events. The receiving point would return to service as soon as the company can replace a faulty valve, Enbridge said.
