U.S. vows to keep gasoline flowing as oil rigs slow to restart after Ida – Reuters

U.S. vows to keep gasoline flowing as oil rigs slow to restart after Ida – Reuters

HOUSTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - U.S. oil and gas companies strained on Thursday to get offshore operations up and running after Hurricane Ida, and the White House authorized a release of emergency fuel stocks as the extent of the storm's damages became more apparent.

Ida's 150-mile-per-hour (240 kph) winds delivered a direct hit to U.S. energy infrastructure. Most of the Gulf of Mexico's oil and gas output remained offline as energy firms struggled to complete aerial surveys and return workers offshore. Their efforts were hindered by damage to onshore terminals and base sites.

Only a quarter of the 288 platforms evacuated last week had crews to restart production, according to the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Top offshore producer Royal Dutch Shell said 80% of its offshore output remained shut, and damages to one platform were discovered during an aerial survey.