Tropical Storm Laura is expected to prolong oil and gas production outages in the US Gulf Coast. Previously, Tropical Storm Marco made landfall at the Louisiana coast, but it is likely to weaken into a tropical depression before dying out as it moves further inland. However, Laura is forecast to develop into a Category 2 or 3 hurricane.
The Interior Department’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said the storms had prompted the shutdown of 82% of oil and 57% of natural gas outputs in the Gulf of Mexico. This area contributes to 17% and 3% of US oil and gas production, respectively. Offshore production platforms in the region have been reinforced following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to withstand stronger hurricane force winds.
Inland, the story is different, strong winds and heavy rainfall can threaten 45% of US fuel production and more than half the country’s gas processing capacities. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused a fire and explosion at Arkema SA chemical plant east of Houston. Storm Imelda forced ExxonMobil to shut its Beaumont refinery in Texas.
Many refineries and chemical companies have activated their storm plans ahead of Laura. So far this year, five of thirteen storms forming across the Atlantic hit the US. Phil Klotzbach, a storm researcher at Colorado State University said this year saw the fastest start of a hurricane season in records dating back to 1851.
