[thackney]

Oil is bought 3 months ahead, a 72 hour storm should not present a problem. The heads are shut, platforms empty and assuming no major damage, will be back in full operation monday. Just like a long weekend.

I'm sorry but you have no idea what you are talking about. There was over 700 rigs and platforms evacuated just for little Gustav. You cannot move that many people on and off those isolated platforms in 72 hours. And it is a lot more complicated than just flipping a switch on and off.

Take a look at the last couple weeks for Gulf of Mexico status:

86,013 BOPD Shut-in, 23 platforms/rigs evacuated - 8/29
998,021 BOPD Shut-in, 268 platforms/rigs evacuated - 8/30
1,251,409 BOPD Shut-in, 604 platforms/rigs evacuated - 8/31
1,300,000 BOPD Shut-in, 726 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/1
1,300,000 BOPD Shut-in, 742 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/2
1,245,708 BOPD Shut-in, 690 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/3
1,238,167 BOPD Shut-in, 590 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/4
1,176,738 BOPD Shut-in, 368 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/5
1,136,843 BOPD Shut-in, 241 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/6
1,037,466 BOPD Shut-in, 212 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/7
1,032,612 BOPD Shut-in, 215 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/8
1,007,389 BOPD Shut-in, 211 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/9
1,246,595 BOPD Shut-in, 533 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/10
1,260,243 BOPD Shut-in, 655 platforms/rigs evacuated - 9/11

Source:
http://www.mms.gov/ooc/newweb/pressreleases/newsstories.htm

[edcoil]

I acknowledged platforms got evacuated, check when the crews went back. They are not permanently shutdown. Most were back in operations in 72 to 100 hours.