Stone Energy readies Gulf operations after Gustav

Independent petroleum producer Stone Energy Corp. said Friday it has deployed many of its personnel back to its Gulf of Mexico properties, trying to restore production after Hurricane Gustav caused minor property damage at some facilities.

Adverse weather brought by the hurricane caused the company to suspend most of its offshore drilling and production activities in the Gulf last Saturday. Net daily production of about the equivalent of 310 million cubic feet of natural gas was suspended due to the hurricane.

The condition of pipelines and gas-processing plants operated by a third party and restoration of electrical power at outside facilities will determine when production returns to normal, the company said.

Shares rose 35 cents to $45.87 in afternoon trading.