Storm Threats Halt US Gulf Production

Oil companies are shutting down wells in the Gulf of Mexico following staff evacuations yesterday due to storm threats.

UK-based Royal Dutch Shell and US-based ExxonMobil and Chevron Corp evacuated their non-essential staff as a tropical depression blew into the area.

Shell's closures will idle output to the equivalent of 370,000 barrels, a spokesperson told US reporters.

US-based drilling company Transocean has also pulled out 200 people from its rigs in the Gulf.

The tropical depression is the latest in a series of severe weather conditions in the region this season. Last month, Hurricane Dean devastated the Gulf and Caribbean forcing oil and gas platforms to evacuate and shut down.

By staff writer