The Hurricane Ivan-damaged Petronius platform in the Gulf of Mexico has been returned to service and is currently producing 53,000 boe/d — about 75% of its pre-storm rate, according to Marathon Oil Corp. and ChevronTexaco Corp., co-owners. Efforts now are underway to ramp up to pre-storm production by the end of this month.

Ivan, considered one of the most destructive hurricanes in the past 50 years, hit the deepwater platform last September (see Daily GPI, Feb. 3; Sept. 17, 2004). Before the hurricane hit, the platform had been averaging 42,000 bbl/d of gross crude oil and 65 MMcf/d gross natural gas. It has the capacity to produce more than 60,000 bbl/d and 100 MMcf/d. As Ivan approached the Alabama Gulf Coast last fall, its eye passed almost directly over Petronius, and there was significant damage to the rig crew quarters, production equipment and deck structures, according to Marathon.

Petronius is located 130 miles southeast of New Orleans in the Viosca Knoll. Marathon and Chevron each hold a 50% stake in the platform; Chevron is the operator.

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