Hurricane Rafael Shuts Down 17% of U.S. Gulf Oil Production

Approximately 17% of crude oil production and 7% of natural gas output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico has been shut down as energy companies respond to Hurricane Rafael, according to the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. This shutdown affects around 304,418 barrels of oil per day and nearly 131 million cubic feet of natural gas.

Hurricane Rafael, currently a Category 3 storm, is located about 70 miles south of Havana, Cuba, with sustained winds of 115 mph. To safeguard offshore assets, oil and gas producers began halting operations and evacuating personnel from platforms earlier this week. So far, eleven production platforms and one drilling rig—about 3% of the Gulf’s total platforms—have been evacuated.

The Gulf of Mexico, which produces roughly 15% of U.S. domestic oil and 2% of natural gas, is a critical area for U.S. energy supply, and disruptions like this can impact oil prices and regional fuel availability.