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Offshore

Offshore staff

NEW ORLEANS -- The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has released preliminary damage reports for the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas infrastructure resulting from Hurricane Gustav.

From Aug. 31, 2008 through Sept. 1, 2008, approximately 677 oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico were exposed to hurricane conditions with winds greater than 75 miles per hour. There are approximately 3,800 production structures in the Gulf; this includes both manned and unmanned facilities.

As of Sept. 10, 2008, MMS has received one report of a small platform being destroyed offshore Louisiana. There was an oil sheen reported in the area of the platform that was estimated to have a volume of less than one gallon. After investigation, no additional sheen was observed.

MMS also has received a report of one platform having extensive damage, which may take from three to six months to repair. Reports have been received that five platforms received moderate damage taking one to three months before production can be restored and 35 platforms received minor damage, which is expected to take up to one month to repair and restore production.

MMS has been conducting helicopter fly-overs to investigate reports of sheens. As of Sept. 10, 2008, there was one reported sheen estimated to be nine barrels; subsequent investigations showed that the sheen had dissipated. All other sheens reported by industry or observed by MMS or US Coast Guard overflights were estimated at less than one barrel.

09/12/2008