Oil firms begin US Gulf evacuation on Gustav threat

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Energy companies in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico began evacuating staff from offshore platforms on Wednesday as Tropical Storm Gustav barreled toward the oil and natural gas-rich region.

Forecasters expect the storm to intensify into a major hurricane before it hits the Gulf, potentially forcing the shut-in of 85 percent of production in the region that accounts for a quarter of U.S. oil output and 15 percent of natural gas, according to Planalytics.

Shell Oil Co (RDSa.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said it was evacuating about 300 nonessential workers from the Gulf of Mexico production platforms, while Transocean Inc (RIG.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said it has pulled 30 workers off drilling rigs.

BP Plc (BP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said it was also pulling nonessential workers from the Gulf.

Shell and BP said production was unaffected by the evacuations.

Other companies were preparing to remove staff as well, according to a helicopter company involved in evacuations.

"Starting today, we're taking out nonessentials for most of the major oil companies," said Jim Shugart, executive vice president/sales for ERA Helicopters.

Other companies including ConocoPhillips (COP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) were still monitoring the storm.  Continued...

Read also :
Strong data, financials drive stocks higher
Fannie Mae announces management shakeup
New York probes Fidelity, Goldman ties: sources
Three Fannie Mae execs out, shares rally earlier
U.S. seeks delay of civil case vs. Bear managers