O&G Firms Evacuate Workers, Shut In Fields for Cyclone Peta's Passing

Oil and gas companies operating offshore northwest of Western Australia have started shut in operations and personnel evacuation programs, after they received warnings to expect winds of up to 62 miles an hour in the wake of a tropical low which has strengthened into Cyclone Peta.

People in the area are being warned to expect thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, and a flood warning has been issued for Pilbara.

A spokesperson representing Apache Corp. confirmed with Rigzone Wednesday that the Stag and Van Gogh fields are shut in, due to the expected path of Cyclone Peta.

"Preparations include the making safe of all facilities in the forecast radius to gales, and the evacuation of non-essential personnel from offshore operations in the area," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson representing Woodside said that the company is taking the necessary precautions to safeguard its people and assets in response to Cyclone Peta.

Cyclone Peta follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Narelle, which passed offshore Western Australia in the second week of January.

Quintella has reported on the upstream and downstream oil and petrochemicals markets from 2004. Email Quintella at quintella.koh@rigzone.com.

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