Key facts
- Tropical Depression Nine is forecast to become the Atlantic hurricane season's first hurricane.
- The storm is expected to make US landfall on Friday.
- The storm's path includes offshore areas producing 15% of US crude oil and 5% of natural gas.
- Six refineries operated by Shell, Valero Energy, Marathon, PBF Energy, and Chevron could be affected.
- Refineries in US Gulf states account for about 50% of the national capacity of 18.2 million barrels per day.
Tropical Depression Nine, currently forming in the Gulf of Mexico, is forecast by US forecasters to become the Atlantic hurricane season's first hurricane within two days, potentially marking the latest start to hurricane season since 1905. The storm was located about 630 miles southwest of the Mississippi River mouth with sustained winds of 35 mph.
The National Hurricane Center expects the depression to strengthen into a tropical storm by Wednesday and a hurricane by Thursday as it moves towards the US northern Gulf Coast. The storm's path is projected to cross offshore areas crucial for oil and gas production, as well as onshore regions with major refineries. This could further tighten energy markets and increase gasoline and diesel prices.
The affected offshore areas account for 15% of US crude oil and 5% of the country's natural gas production. Six refineries operated by Shell, Valero Energy, Marathon, PBF Energy, and Chevron are in the forecast landfall area, which accounts for approximately 50% of the nation's total refinery capacity of 18.2 million barrels per day.
AccuWeather hurricane expert Alex DaSilva noted that the storm is expected to strengthen until it nears the central Gulf coast late this week, with landfall anticipated early Saturday. The NHC predicts 3 to 6 inches of rain across parts of the central US, with up to 10 inches in some areas, potentially causing flash, urban, and river flooding. Gusts of 60-80 mph are possible near the hurricane's center.