Swift Energy Co. said repairs to its Louisiana coastline facilities, damaged in Hurricane Katrina, will take three to six weeks, depending on availability of supplies, equipment, parts — and personnel and contractors. The storm also will result in Swift deferring 2.75-3.25 Bcfe of production in the third quarter.

Logistics and communications problems resulting from Katrina are improving, but additional repairs may be needed before some Louisiana-based facilities are restarted, the company said Wednesday. Numerous minor repairs are under way and must be completed before production can be resumed in Lake Washington and Bay de Chene, LA. Restoration of production in Bay de Chene may take longer because the company is focusing on Lake Washington, which is located in Plaquemines Parish, LA, which was heavily flooded.

“Facility repair work in Lake Washington is progressing and has been limited to what are considered minor but numerous storm-related repairs,” Swift said in a statement. “Currently, the most significant repair the company is aware of is the overhaul required of one of several generators due to water damage. Additional damage is expected to be identified as further inspections and testing continues. Workers are focused on the continued testing of the electrical and instrumentation systems, compressor and generator maintenance, surveying the field, and conducting integrity tests of piping and vessels.”

Even after production has been resumed, Swift said it will take “some time before pre-hurricane levels of production are reached due to decreased capacity or unavailability of market outlets. Once production is restored, Swift Energy will evaluate the timeline for completion of the additional facility upgrades, which had been planned prior to the hurricane to be completed during the third quarter of 2005, and will then issue fourth quarter guidance.” Net production from Lake Washington was averaging approximately 87 MMcfe/d over the two weeks immediately prior to the hurricane shut-in.

Housing and work-related facilities in the area have been set up for about 60 Swift employees and contractors in the Lake Washington Field for repair and maintenance work. Swift opened a new shore base in DuLac, LA, as well as established office space and housing for its affected employees near Houma, LA.

“While this new shore base allows Swift Energy to better facilitate repairs in the fields, the new shore base is a considerable distance from the previous shore base in Port Sulphur,” the company said. Swift also is providing support to the local authorities, specifically personnel and equipment as requested to help with levee repairs and the restoration of access and services to the lower Plaquemines Parish area.

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