re: BP spill and some other questions...

They've got options. They can prepare the hole to be abandoned temporarily. They can then just drive the rig out of the path of the storm. They usually get all non-essential personnel off of the rig. I've known one offshore hand with my company who had to ride out a storm on a rig and he said it was scary as hell.

I've been out there in 30' seas (I only went offshore a few times while training, so that was huge waves to me). It looked like something out of a movie. But the rig barely moved. They are made to handle a lot. In the North Sea and off the coast of Africa in some places, that is just commonplace.

I know some operators will avoid doing any work during Hurricane season if possible just due to the financial risk of having to shut down for a few days. Doesn't always work out, but some projects are put on hold until October.