Oil and gas producers had begun returning crews to offshore platforms in the US Gulf of Mexico, but many of these platforms remained unoccupied. According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, crews have not returned to 104 oil and gas platforms and five rigs in the US Gulf of Mexico as of Sunday, down from the 288 evacuated ahead of Hurricane Ida. The regulator also said that about 1.6 million bpd (88%) of crude production and 1.8 Bcfd (83%) of natural gas output in the region remained shut.
Chevron said the storm damaged none of its platforms, adding that it had returned workers to all six by Friday. Meanwhile, Royal Dutch Shell said it had restored 20% of its normal production in the Gulf. Shell is working on replacing a damaged heliport that prevented workers from returning to offshore platforms. The company is also evaluating damages at its West Delta-143 facility, which connects three big oil basins. Enbridge said it was ready to bring back two offshore pipelines to service.
