Hurricane Francine Sparks Urgent Evacuations and Energy Shutdowns Across Gulf Coast

Tuesday, 10 September 2024, 20:12

Hurricane Francine has forced evacuations and significant oil and gas shutdowns in the United States, particularly in Louisiana. As a Category 1 hurricane, Francine is delivering hazardous winds and heavy rain, prompting emergency preparations and production cutbacks in the Gulf. Energy companies have halted over 400,000 barrels per day due to the impending impact.
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Hurricane Francine Sparks Urgent Evacuations and Energy Shutdowns Across Gulf Coast

Hurricane Francine's Impact on Louisiana

Hurricane Francine intensified on Tuesday night, reaching maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and prompting critical evacuations across Louisiana. The US National Hurricane Center forecasts life-threatening conditions with storm surges potentially reaching 10 feet (3 meters). Energy companies responded proactively by shutting down production in the Gulf of Mexico.

Energy Sector Response

  • 412,070 barrels of oil production were shut-in, affecting 24% of US Gulf production.
  • Staff evacuations occurred at 130 production platforms.
  • Natural gas output saw a decline of 26%, equating to 494 million cubic feet per day offline.

With the storm projected to test the resilience of newly built LNG export plants in Louisiana, natural gas prices have surged by 3%. Concerns over global oil demand have driven crude futures down by more than 4%.

Port Traffic and Operations

Louisiana's ports are bracing for the storm, with significant traffic restrictions already in place. Port authorities in New Orleans are preparing for terminal and railroad closures, while operational adjustments are underway at the Lake Charles oil refinery. Various ports and terminals are strategically closing down operations to minimize impacts.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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