Key facts
- Chevron is shutting down its Petronius platform in the Gulf of Mexico due to Tropical Depression Two.
- Tropical Depression Two is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha.
- Tropical Storm Bertha is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama with sustained winds of 50 mph.
- Tropical storm warnings and storm surge watches are in effect for parts of Florida and Alabama.
- Potential oil production losses of about 2 million barrels are forecast.
- The U.S. Gulf of Mexico federal offshore region produces approximately 14% of total U.S. crude output.
Chevron is shutting down its Petronius platform in the Gulf of Mexico and relocating personnel ahead of Tropical Depression Two, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha. The company is also moving nonessential staff from its Tubular Bells and Blind Faith platforms. The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning and storm surge watch for a stretch of the Gulf Coast, anticipating heavy rainfall and potentially life-threatening storm surges of up to 4 feet. Consulting firm Earth Science Associates forecasts a potential loss of about 2 million barrels of oil across the U.S. Gulf due to the storm. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico federal offshore region produces nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil per day, representing about 14% of the total U.S. crude output. In preparation for the storm's potential impact, utility company CenterPoint Energy has activated its Emergency Operations Center.