Chevron shuts 2 US Gulf platforms for Ian: Update

Chevron is shutting down two offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico as a precaution ahead of Hurricane Ian, which is forecast to strike Florida later in the week.

The US oil company has started evacuating all personnel from its Petronius and Blind Faith platforms. Production at Chevron's other facilities in the Gulf of Mexico remains at normal levels.

"Both offshore and onshore, Chevron is following our storm plans and paying close attention to the forecast and track of Hurricane Ian," it said in a statement.

Shell said it is also closely monitoring the hurricane. "As of today, there have been no impacts to Shell operations in the GoM," the company said.

The storm will be the first major hurricane of the season to hit the mainland US, but on its current track it is not expected to pose a threat to the majority of oil and gas facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, a region that accounts for about 15pc of US crude output and 5pc of dry-gas production.

Ian was about 120 miles west-northwest of Grand Cayman this afternoon, moving north-northwest at 13mph, with maximum sustained winds of 85mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Rapid strengthening is expected over the next day or so, and Ian is set to become a major hurricane tonight or early Tuesday when it approaches western Cuba.

The hurricane is expected to emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, before passing west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday and approaching the west coast of Florida on Wednesday into Thursday.

Hurricane conditions are possible on the west coast of Florida within the Hurricane Watch area on Wednesday, with possible tropical storm conditions starting by Tuesday night, the NHC said.

US president Joe Biden has already issued an emergency declaration for Florida, ordering federal agencies to help coordinate all disaster relief efforts.

The latest storm comes after Hurricane Fiona battered Nova Scotia over the weekend, causing heavy flooding and leaving thousands of households without power.

By Stephen Cunningham