HOUSTON, Sept 02, 2005 /PRNewswire

 

Katrina slammed into the U.S. Gulf Coast this past Monday, just east of New Orleans, through the heart of the offshore oil and gas production and transportation infrastructure that supplies about 25% of domestic oil production, and about 20% of the nation's natural gas production. Added to this impact, the landfall at the mouth of the Mississippi River hit a major portion of the U.S. Gulf Coast refining industry and the origins of the nation's interstate refined product pipeline transportation network.

Purvin & Gertz has produced an assessment of the impact of Hurricane Katrina on oil and gas production, refining and product distribution operations. A briefing paper is available that includes the U.S. Gulf Coast petroleum industry background which gives an overview of the vast petroleum infrastructure in the affected region. Current estimates are that 90% of the U.S. Gulf Coast oil and gas production and about 2.4 million B/D or about 15% of the nation's refining capacity has been seriously impacted or shut down by Katrina. Without U.S. Gulf Coast production, drawdown of existing inventories and increased foreign imports are inevitable. A map is included of the region's energy infrastructure.

For a copy of the briefing paper, and expert comment on energy issues, please contact:

Purvin & Gertz is an independent energy consulting firm providing technical, commercial and strategic advice. Purvin & Gertz specializes in servicing clients involved in the production, processing, transportation and marketing of oil, natural gas and gas liquids, and petroleum products. Headquartered in Houston, the firm consists of an international network of offices in Calgary, Long Beach, London, Moscow, Singapore, and Buenos Aires. Founded in 1947, the company has maintained its mark of distinction within the industry. Purvin & Gertz is an employee-owned company, operating completely independent of any operating company, engineering firm, equipment manufacturer or process licenser. Visit http://www.purvingertz.com  for information.

SOURCE Purvin & Gertz

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