Operators Begin Redeploying Workers, Assessing Facilities after Isaac

Offshore operators on Friday began redeploying workers to Gulf of Mexico offshore facilities and assessing Gulf facilities for damage related to Isaac, which hit the Gulf Coast on Wednesday as a Hurricane 1 category, but weakened to a tropical depression bringing heavy rainfall inland from the Gulf Coast.

BP will begin redeploying workers Friday to its operated platforms and drilling rigs in the Gulf, the company said in a statement.

"While aerial surveys of our offshore facilities did not identify any significant damage, crews will perform closer inspections onsite," the company said.

Facilities will be restarted once they are deemed safe, with oil and gas production to recommence in the coming days, BP said.

Drilling rigs, which were moved out of the storm's path, are also being returned to their locations. Onshore facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi are being inspected after being closed and evacuated due to Isaac. Operations at some sites could resume later Friday.

"The safety of our workforce will be our highest priority as we move through this process," BP said.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. began restaffing its operated producing facilities in the eastern and central Gulf Friday morning, the company said in a statement.

Previous reports from its remote monitoring capabilities indicated that all its facilities are intact.

"Today, personnel will conduct additional onsite inspections at Gunnison, Marco Polo, Constitution, Independence Hub and Neptune," said Anadarko in a statement.

Once the inspections are complete, Anadarko expects to restart production at these platforms as third-party operated pipelines and infrastructures permit.

ExxonMobil is conducting storm assessments of its impacted offshore facilities that the company can safely access.

"We are beginning the process of restoring operations at those facilities that can be safely restarted," ExxonMobil said in a statement on its website.

"ExxonMobil's primary focus in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac continues to be the safety of our employees, contractors and the communities in the affected areas," the company said.

ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge, La., facilities continue to operate at reduced rates; the company said it is working to return the facilities to normal operations as soon as possible.

Chalmette Refining LLC is conducting its post-storm assessment and identifying restart plans for its refining operations.

Nearly 95 percent of Gulf of Mexico oil production and approximately 72.5 percent of natural gas production are still shut-in due to Isaac, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reported Thursday.

Karen Boman has more than 10 years of experience covering the upstream oil and gas sector. Email Karen at kboman@rigzone.com.

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