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Storm Helene's eastward tack relieves pressure on overseas US oil

Tropical Storm Helene was expected to turn eastward on its track through the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico, increasing the risk of high winds and heavy rains to Cuba and Florida however lessened the danger to U.S. offshore oil production, forecasters said on Tuesday.

The storm was moving through the Caribbean and anticipated to enter the Gulf of Mexico and become a typhoon by Wednesday, possibly increasing to a significant hurricane with 115 miles per hour (184 kph). winds on Thursday, the National Cyclone Center stated.

Its existing track takes it along the west coast of Florida. towards a landfall on the state's panhandle later today. That. course decreases the risk to oil producing regions in the main. Gulf of Mexico, meteorologists stated.

U.S. overseas producers have shut-in 16% of Gulf of Mexico. oil and 11% of gas output, the offshore regulator said. on Tuesday. The region represent 15% of U.S. oil and 2% of. gas production.

For the central Gulf this is a low- to medium-risk type. scenario because of the eastern track of the system, said DTN. meteorologist Kevin Mahoney. However he included, this is a really. rapidly developing system, with a possibly big wind field.

Shell, the first Gulf of Mexico oil manufacturer to. shut in oil and gas production today, said it was bring back. output at a platform that is about 200 miles (320 km) southwest. of New Orleans.

With a shift in forecast track, we are beginning the. procedure of restoring production at Stones, the oil significant said. Its output at another platform further east in the Gulf, called. Appomattox, continues to be reduced, it said.

Other oil producers evacuated offshore workers and scaled. back operations as NHC forecasters required the 2nd significant. cyclone in 2 weeks to appear in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Besides Shell, manufacturers BP, Chevron, and. Equinor have actually withdrawn some overseas personnel, and. numerous have paused some oil and gas production ahead of the. storm's arrival.

(source: Reuters)