Tropical Storm Francine Forces Evacuations in Gulf of Mexico

HOUSTON (Reuters) – Energy pipeline operator Enbridge (NYSE:ENB) has evacuated employees from several offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico platforms as Tropical Storm Francine approaches landfall in Louisiana.

Francine has halted oil and gas production at platforms operated by Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), and Shell (LON:SHEL). The first official measure of the storm’s effects on U.S. energy production will be released later on Tuesday by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, a U.S. regulator.

Enbridge, managing a vast network of offshore pipelines that transport oil and gas to onshore facilities, evacuated staff from three platforms but continues operations using remote operators, according to notices sent to customers.

Employees were removed from the South Marsh Island 76, Ship Shoal 207, and Ship Shoal 332 platforms. South Marsh Island 76 is crucial as it connects to a 1 billion cubic feet per day natural gas offshore pipeline.

Additionally, the Manta Ray Gas Gathering system declared force majeure at its Green Canyon 158 Brutus receipt point, ceasing natural gas reception, Enbridge informed its customers. Force majeure allows for contract suspension due to unforeseen events, and service will resume once a malfunctioning valve can be replaced.