BP, Chevron shut US Gulf platforms for Ian: Update

BP and Chevron are suspending output from four offshore platforms in the US Gulf of Mexico as a precaution ahead of Hurricane Ian, which is forecast to strike Florida later in the week.

BP closed down and evacuated all personnel from the 130,000 b/d Na Kika platform. The company is also shutting in the 250,000 b/d Thunder Horse platform and relocating non-essential workers.

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

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

Shell said it is also closely monitoring the hurricane.

Ian was last about 155 miles southeast (250 km/hour) of the western tip of Cuba, moving north-northwest at 13mph, with maximum sustained winds of 100mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Conditions in western Cuba were expected to deteriorate later today, with significant wind and storm surge impacts forecast.

Ian is expected to emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, and then pass west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday, and approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday into Thursday. Rapid strengthening was expected during the next day or so.

Hurricane conditions are expected along 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