A storm in the Gulf of Mexico is set to become the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, with forecasters tracking a path toward offshore oil and gas fields and six Gulf Coast refineries.
A storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico will strengthen into the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 within two days, US forecasters said on Tuesday, as it speeds toward Louisiana and Mississippi. The system threatens offshore crude oil production and onshore refining capacity along the US Gulf Coast.
The system, currently named Tropical Depression Nine, is forecast to reach tropical storm strength by early Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said. According to the Hurricane Center: "pass to the north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday", before approaching the US northern Gulf Coast on Friday.
The storm's forecast path runs through offshore areas with oil and gas production facilities and onshore areas with major refineries. Any impact could further tighten energy markets and push up gasoline and diesel prices that are already soaring because of the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The offshore areas in the storm's path produce 15% of US crude oil and 5% of the country's natural gas. In the forecast landfall area, the storm could affect six refineries operated by Shell, Valero Energy, Marathon, PBF Energy and Chevron.
Refineries in US Gulf states account for about 50% of the national capacity of 18.2 million barrels per day.
Source: Investing.com
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