Hurricane Isaias shuts in about 1.3 million bpd of Gulf crude output
- 130 platforms and rigs evacuated or moved
- Natural gas output also shut in
- First hurricane of 2026 Atlantic season, EIA says
WASHINGTON, Oct 9 — Hurricane Isaias has shut in about 1.3 million barrels per day of crude oil production in the Gulf, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said, as the storm heads toward landfall on the Gulf Coast.
EIA said the Marine Minerals Administration reported that as of Thursday, Oct 8, 130 production platforms and rigs had been evacuated or moved. That resulted in production shut-ins of about 1.3 million barrels per day of crude oil, as well as shut-ins of natural gas production.
As of 4:00 a.m. central time on Oct 9, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expected Hurricane Isaias to make landfall on the Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, EIA said. The agency said this created the potential for significant disruptions to energy infrastructure.
According to EIA, Isaias is the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. The agency said it will be the largest storm system to make landfall in the region since Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
EIA said the U.S. Gulf Coast is home to a large portion of the U.S. refining fleet and that the hurricane's impacts could affect refinery operations.