Hurricanes and the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
For the current 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, America’s oil and natural gas industry continues to build upon critical lessons learned from 2005’s record-breaking storms.
API plays two primary roles for the industry: first, to help gain a better understanding of the environmental conditions in and around the Gulf of Mexico during hurricane activity and then apply that knowledge to make offshore and onshore facilities more resilient; and second, to facilitate industry reliability by fostering collaboration among member companies and with federal, state and local governments and with other industries. More>
Mineral Management Services Rule Enhances Hurricane Safety of Offshore Platforms
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) issued a final rule (See Federal Register) to improve the survivability of offshore platforms and increase environmental safety during hurricane events. (04/15/2008)
For more Gulf of Mexico information, link to: Mineral Managment Services, Gulf of Mexico Region
Hurricane Preparedness In this podcast episode of EnergyTomorrow Radio, John Bisney, Tim Sampson and Andy Radford of API discuss what America's oil and gas industry has done to and is doing to minimize the impact of hurricanes on both production in the Gulf of Mexico and in refineries.
Hurricane Preparedness Podcast
EnergyTomorrow Radio is a podcast series that features energy industry experts speaking on hot button energy issues.
Successfully Weathering Rita and Katrina
Every year, hurricanes of varying strength lay siege to America's coasts, but despite the tremendous power of the 2004 and 2005 storms, the vast majority of offshore platforms and facilities survived due to superior design and construction. There were no significant spills from any offshore facility and no deaths or injuries among the 25,000-30,000 offshore workers. To find out more, read this report from the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA).
API Recommended Practices for Gulf of Mexico Production Facilities Updated
API's revisions to its recommended practices are available to the industry without charge. More>
The five Gulf Coast states are home to more than half-a-million petroleum industry jobs (Source: Independent Petroleum Association of America, 2003 data)
Alabama Oil and Natural Gas Extraction Refining Transportation Wholesale Retail | 1, 546 1,031 2,450 2, 973 19, 432 |
Florida Oil and Natural Gas Extraction Refining Transportation Wholesale Retail | 1, 579 394 1,923 5,532 38,948 |
Louisiana Oil and Natural Gas Extraction Refining Transportation Wholesale Retail | 42,909 10,084 3,969 4,282 19,440 |
Mississippi Oil and Natural Gas Extraction Refining Transportation Wholesale Retail | 3,760 145 1,640 2,583 16,341 |
Texas Oil and Natural Gas Extraction Refining Transportation Wholesale & Products Retail | 177,577 21,485 21,400 7,665 67,860 |
| Offshore The Minerals Management Service estimates there are 30,000-35,000 production, drilling, and service and supply workers offshore at any given time. |
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and Gulf of Mexico Oil & Natural Gas Operations
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Gulf of Mexico Refinery Capacity
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U.S. Refining Centers and Products Pipelines
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Links:
Minerals Management Service/Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Information
EIA's 2008 Outlook for Hurricane Production Outages In the Gulf of Mexico
NOAA/National Hurricane Center (Latest Updates)
NOAA/Hurricane Awareness
NOAA/Hurricane Background Info
EIA's Quick Energy Facts: Texas | Louisiana