US Gulf producers curb operations before storm: Update

Adds latest NOAA forecast data, BP update.

Oil companies started to evacuate workers and halt some operations in the US Gulf of Mexico ahead of an expected hurricane later this week.

Tropical storm Francine, which is forecast to strengthen to hurricane status as it moves north toward the Texas and Louisiana coasts by mid-week, threatens an offshore region that accounts for about 15pc of US crude output and 5pc of US natural gas production.

Shell said it paused some drilling operations at the Perdido and Whale platforms, located about 190 miles south of Houston, and is withdrawing non-essential workers from its Enchilada/Salsa and Auger facilities.

ExxonMobil said all staff had been transported off the Hoover platform, located about 200 miles south of Houston, and operations shut-in.

And Chevron said it is evacuating non-essential workers from its Anchor, Big Foot, Jack/St. Malo and Tahiti facilities, though production from company-operated assets remains at normal levels. Those facilities are located about 280 miles south of New Orleans.

"We continue to supply our customers at our onshore facilities, where we are following our storm preparedness procedures and paying close attention to the forecast and track of the storm," Chevron said.

So far no major problems are reported for BP's offshore facilities in the region.

Francine is forecast to approach the Louisiana and upper Texas coast on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. In a 2pm ET NHC advisory, the storm was about 450 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.

Strengthening is expected over the next day and Francine is forecast to be a Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 85mph, on Wednesday evening, when it is expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast.

By Stephen Cunningham