US — LLOG Exploration Company, the operator of the Who Dat oil and gas assets in the Gulf of Mexico, has taken precautionary measures in response to the approaching Hurricane Helene.
The company has shut in the Who Dat wells and evacuated personnel from the platform as the storm intensifies in the Caribbean.
The decision to shut down operations comes as Hurricane Helene is expected to track through the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
In addition to the platform shutdown, drilling activities at Who Dat South have also been suspended.
LLOG anticipates that the Who Dat facilities will remain offline for approximately three to five days, depending on the hurricane’s trajectory and severity.
Once the storm passes, the company will assess the condition of the floating production system and export pipeline system before determining when to resume operations.
This shutdown is part of a broader response by oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico to Hurricane Helene.
The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) reports that as of September 25, 2024:
- Personnel have been evacuated from 17 production platforms, representing 4.58 per cent of the 371 manned platforms in the Gulf.
- An estimated 29.18 per cent (511,000 barrels per day) of current oil production and 16.85 per cent (313 million cubic feet per day) of natural gas production in the Gulf has been shut in.
Other major energy companies have also taken action.
Shell plc has begun ramping up production at its Appomattox facility to normal levels and is in the process of restoring production at Stones.
Equinor has shut down operations and evacuated personnel from its Titan platform.
Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coast on September 26 as a major hurricane, potentially reaching Category 3 strength.
The storm poses significant risks to energy infrastructure and could cause widespread power outages across its path.
As the situation develops, energy companies and government agencies continue to monitor the storm closely and adjust their operations accordingly to ensure the safety of personnel and minimise disruptions to energy production.