U.S. offshore producers shut in an estimated 71.51% of daily oil production in the Gulf of Mexico on October 9, as Hurricane Isaias threatened offshore operations, according to the Marine Minerals Administration’s latest production report.
The shutdown affected approximately 1.46 million barrels per day, compared with 1.28 million barrels per day on October 8. The estimated share of oil output offline increased by 8.62 percentage points in one day.
Natural gas production was also disrupted. The agency estimated that 58.84% of daily offshore gas production, equivalent to 1.26 billion cubic feet per day, had been shut in. The figures were based on reports from 12 offshore operators submitted as of 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Friday.
The agency also reported that workers had been evacuated from 129 production platforms, representing 34.77% of the Gulf’s 371 manned platforms. That compared with 121 evacuated platforms in the October 8 government update.
Eight non-dynamically positioned drilling rigs had also been evacuated, while two dynamically positioned rigs had moved away from the storm’s path. The production losses are precautionary shutdowns, not confirmed permanent damage. Operators close offshore safety valves to protect workers, equipment and the environment during severe weather.
The agency said undamaged facilities could resume production after the storm passes and required safety inspections are completed. Damaged facilities may take longer to restart. The next official production update will help establish how much supply remains offline and whether offshore operations are beginning to recover.
The disruption adds another supply uncertainty to an oil market already facing geopolitical risks, including developments affecting Middle Eastern crude shipments. The production report does not establish a direct effect on oil prices.
