Storm Francine Halts Gulf Oil and Gas Production

Storm Francine caused 42% of crude oil production and 53% of natural gas output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to be shut down. The storm weakened from a Category 2 hurricane to a tropical depression but continued to pose significant threats with strong winds and storm surges.

About 42% of crude oil production and 53% of natural gas output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were shut on Thursday as Storm Francine barreled across the U.S. South, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said.

Francine had weakened from a Category 2 hurricane to a tropical depression as it moved northeastward over central Mississippi but still packed winds of 35 miles per hour (55 km per hour) and threatened areas with dangerous storm surges, the National Hurricane Center said.

(With inputs from agencies.)