Slow Progress Toward Restoring Flow of Oil and Gas

Slow Progress Toward Restoring Flow of Oil and Gas

Saturday, September 3, 2005; Page D03

Repairs to energy production equipment damaged by the hurricane are progressing:



· Plantation Pipe Line Co. said it boosted capacity to 95 percent of its normal amount after restoring power at a pump station. The pipeline runs from the Gulf Coast and provides gasoline to the Washington area and other regions.


· Colonial Pipeline , which also serves the Washington area and other regions, said it expected to operate at 77 percent of its normal capacity by today.


· Eight refineries remain shut down, though two are in the process of restarting.


· Nearly 89 percent of daily oil production in the Gulf of Mexico was off line.


· More than 72 percent of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico was off line.

Sources: Energy Department, Minerals Management Service.