NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana: Energy firms along the Gulf Coast of the United States received good news on September 4 after ports opened again and oil refineries, earlier closed down due to Hurricane Ida, restarted.

However, the destruction caused to major facilities continues to hamper oil output.

The American hurricane season's ninth storm slashed American oil and gas output to a much greater extent, as compared to the eight hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2020. After reaching Louisiana last August 29, Hurricane Ida pounded the northeast of the United States, triggering lethal winds and rains.

Numerous heliports in Louisiana incurred significant damage or had no power and fuel, thereby slowing the return of offshore crew members at many key oil facilities.

Royal Dutch Shell, considered the largest oil producer in the Gulf Coast, continues evaluating the extent of damages caused to its WD 143 offshore facilities that transfer some 260,000 barrels of oil and gas daily from offshore oil fields.

Shell confirmed that efforts were underway on readying a substitute heliport for ferrying offshore staff, as its initial facility, which had incurred damage, prevented employees from returning to platform areas.

Shell also reported structural damage caused to the Norco refinery in Louisiana, and evaluations are underway into the status, along with evaluating damage done to its Louisiana-based Geismar facility.

Meanwhile, the White House recently approved offering 1.8 million barrels of crude to Exxon Mobil Corporation and Placid Refining Company to help maintain America's gasoline production.