WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- A U.S. regulator said some offshore oil and natural gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico were still shut in following Hurricane Isaac.
Oil and gas installations along the southern U.S. coast were shut in as a precaution ahead of Hurricane Isaac, a Category 1 storm that struck the region last week. The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said operators are reporting mainly minor damage to their facilities from the storm.
Personnel were yet to return to 10 production platforms and one rig because of the storm. That represents 1.68 percent of the total manned platforms and 1.32 percent of the rigs operation in the Gulf of Mexico.
"From operator reports, it is estimated that approximately 42.98 percent of the current daily oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in," the BSEE stated. "It is also estimated that approximately 21.28 percent of the current daily natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in."
Crude oil and retail gasoline prices increased as a result of the storm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week relaxed regulations on summer gasoline blends for some southern states impacted by Isaac, however.
The BSEE said all offshore oil and gas facilities are under inspection and undamaged facilities will be online as soon as standard checks are completed.
