Gulf of Mexico storm could impact gas prices in South Florida

Oil producers shut down output in Gulf of Mexico

MIAMI – The Gulf of Mexico refineries near Louisiana and Texas that are in the path of the storm are cutting crude output as forecasters expect the storm to strengthen into a hurricane this weekend. 

The refineries in the Gulf play a huge part in the gasoline market producing 17% of the crude oil in the U.S. market. The disruption could potentially boost gas prices for drivers in South Florida.

U.S. oil surged above $60 a barrel on Wednesday. CNN reported the increase comes amid worries that a potential Hurricane Storm Barry could derail crude production in the Gulf of Mexico.

 TROPICAL UPDATE:  Here is Local 10 News Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross' latest newsletter

Offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf have evacuated platforms and rigs and about 32 percent of the oil producing in the Gulf has been stopped, according to the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron Corp, Exxon Mobil, Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Motiva Enterprises, Marathon Petroleum Corp., Phillips 66 and BH Group Ltd. are preparing for the storm. 

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About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Nicole Perez is the the primary co-anchor of Local 10 News at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. She first joined Local 10 in July 2016 as the morning traffic reporter.