BHP Moves Rigs Due to Hurricane Dean

Global oil company BHP Billiton has moved two drilling rigs from the deepwater Gulf of Mexico due to Hurricane Dean.

The rigs, which are operating about 120 miles (193km) off the coast of Louisiana, will continue to produce until its fail-safe mechanisms cause it to shut down according to sources speaking to Reuters.

BHP has also suspended commissioning activities for its Neptune production platform, sending crews and work boats to safety over the weekend.

Hurricane Dean hit the Mexican coast today at a speed of 165mph (268 kph), after battering Jamaica yesterday.

All major oil companies began evacuating rigs in the Gulf of Mexico prior to the storm.

Reported by staff writer