Chevron Evacuates Personnel from Offshore Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico
American Chevron evacuated personnel from 3 oil production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in the United States ahead of Hurricane Idalia.
This was reported by the press service of the company.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC, US National Hurricane Center), Tropical Storm Idalia, which is approaching the southeastern United States and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, intensified into a hurricane on August 29, 2023 and will significantly worsen during the day.
Florida Governor R. de Santis declared a state of emergency in 46 counties of the state the day before.
He warned of severe consequences for the state from a tropical storm, noting that Idalia could become a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
It is noted that in the coming days, a hurricane can cause a sharp rise in sea water levels, which is life-threatening.
On August 30, 2023, a hurricane with sustained winds of at least 111 mph (179 km/h) is forecast to hit the west coast of Florida.
Chevron said all non-essential personnel have been withdrawn from the Blind Faith and Petronius platforms, which are located 160 miles southeast of New Orlen in the central Gulf of Mexico, and all employees have been evacuated from the Genesis platform.
At the same time, production at oil and gas facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, managed by Chevron, continued.
The Genesis platform, located about 150 miles southwest of New Orleans, is currently being decommissioned, a company spokesman said.
This is not the first time a hurricane has made adjustments to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recall that in September 2022, Chevron, as well as a number of other energy companies, including BP, were also forced to evacuate personnel from their offshore platforms and suspend operations due to Hurricane Ian.
