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.