Gulf platform that exploded was not producing-Govt

WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Mariner Energy's ME.N platform that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday morning had not recently been in active production and was undergoing maintenance, the U.S. Interior Department told Reuters.

The platform was located in 340 feet of water and was authorized to produce oil and natural gas, the department said. The platform was 102 miles (80 nautical miles) from the Louisiana shore. (Reporting by Tom Doggett and Ayesha Rascoe)