Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 a.m. CDT Monday, the Bureau of Safety Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) estimated that about 6.11% (274.85 MMcf/d) of current natural gas production, and 7.98% (110,144 b/d) of oil output in the GOM was shut in.

Both numbers were down dramatically from Friday, when the BSEE said 21.28% (957.81 MMcf/d) of natural gas production and 42.98% (593,090 b/d) of oil output in the GOM was shut in (see Daily GPI, Sept. 7).

Personnel remained evacuated Thursday from two of the 596 manned production platforms and one of the 76 rigs in the GOM, BSEE said. Those numbers peaked on Aug. 30 at 509 production platforms and 50 rigs evacuated; 10 platforms remained evacuated on Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday was tracking a “well organized” system in the eastern Atlantic that was moving to the west-northwest at 15-20 mph and had a 90% change of becoming a tropical cyclone by midweek. NHC was also tracking Hurricane Leslie, which was more than 650 miles south-southwest of Cape Race, NF, and was expected to move over eastern Newfoundland Tuesday morning. Leslie had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. A hurricane watch was in effect for Newfoundland from Stones Cove to Charlottetown.

Farther out in the Atlantic, Hurricane Michael was expected to turn to the northwest and weaken Monday night. Michael, which was located more than 1,100 miles west of the Azores, had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, NHC said.

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