On this day in oil and gas: Paraskevidekatriaphobia

September 13th, 2013 – AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! The first Friday 13th of 2013!

For the millions of paraskevidekatriaphobics out there, this day in history has not always been so bad! OK, yes on this day in 1899, Henry Bliss was the first person in the United States to be killed in an automobile accident, but for every Henry Bliss there is the introduction of the first commercial computer to use disk storage or the flight of the first fixed-wing aircraft in Europe - innovations which would change the world immeasurably.

But here in the oil and gas industry this date has a difference resonance. 25 years ago today the most violent Hurricane of the time, Hurricane Gilbert ravaged the Gulf of Mexico with winds of 295 kilometres per hour. Five years today, Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc across the gulf costing $37.5 billion, the third most expensive tropical cyclone in U.S. history. September 10th is the traditional peak of the hurricane season, yet here we are on Friday 13 th September 2013 and not a single hurricane on the radar so far this year. Not so unlucky after all, eh?

PS Are you a superstitious person? Here are 13 of humanity’s most common hang-ups

"Do you feel lucky, punk?"

_______________________________

LEARN MORE:

• Oil & Gas Industry: An Introduction
• Oil and Gas Production - An Introduction
• Oil and Gas Technology: The Future Is Now
  
  

Have Your Say Rate this feature and give us your feedback in the comments section below