Nearly 30% of US Gulf of Mexico Oil Output Affected by Storm, Reports Reuters

Hurricane Francine Disrupts Gulf of Mexico Oil Production

HOUSTON (Reuters) – Almost 30% of oil production and 41% of natural gas production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico remained offline on Saturday after the impact of Hurricane Francine, as reported by the U.S. offshore energy regulator.

The storm swept through key oil and gas producing regions in the Gulf, making landfall in Louisiana with wind gusts reaching up to 100 miles per hour (161 kph). The severe weather led to downed trees, coastal flooding, and widespread power outages across four states. By Saturday, approximately 37,000 customers in Louisiana were still without electricity.

A survey conducted among energy producers indicated that more than 522,000 barrels of oil and 755 million cubic feet of natural gas remained offline on Saturday, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Total offshore production losses for the week attributed to Hurricane Francine reached approximately 1.82 million barrels of crude oil and 4.12 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

On Saturday, there were 52 unmanned oil and gas platforms—approximately 14% of the total—down from a peak of 171 evacuated platforms earlier in the week.

Chevron reported that two of its platforms were operating at reduced rates due to disruptions at an onshore gas facility. Production at the affected platforms—Jack/St. Malo and Big Foot—will resume fully once the onshore issues are resolved. Chevron did not disclose the operator’s identity for the gas plant.

The second-largest oil producer in the U.S. also stated that efforts to return workers and restore production at its Anchor and Tahiti platforms, which were shut down ahead of the hurricane, are ongoing. Initial assessments indicated that neither platform sustained significant damage.