Hurricane Harvey Threatens US Oil Supply

Dan Zukowski
Aug 25, 2017 · 2 min read
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Hurricane Harvey is expected to make landfall Friday night along the Texas coast as a category 3 hurricane, the first major hurricane to strike the U.S. since 2005. The storm, which is gathering strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, has already prompted shut-ins of a number of oil production platforms and is headed for an area that’s home to 29 major oil refineries.

Unlike Monday’s solar eclipse, which only briefly reduced available solar power, the coming hurricane could shut refineries for a week or more and potentially damage important oil and gas infrastructure.

Out in the Gulf, which produces 18 percent of U.S. oil, 39 drilling platforms and one rig have already been evacuated, accounting for 9.56 percent of the region’s production capacity, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

Meanwhile, storm surge and high tides could inundate the coast from Brownsville to Houston with 6–10 feet of overflow.

Additionally, weather forecasters are predicting “disastrous flooding” from a long-term rain event that could last into Monday. Two feet or more of rain is possible along the Texas coast and parts of Louisiana.

Flooding could damage refineries and disrupt incoming crude shipments. Texas refineries account for 30 percent of total U.S. refining capacity. According to the American Petroleum Institute, it can take several days to restore full production following a refinery shutdown. If a refinery suffers damage from the storm, it could take even longer.

Gasoline futures for September rose about 3 percent on fears of shortages from Gulf Coast refinery closures — just ahead of the upcoming U.S. Labor Day holiday on September 4, when travel is expected to be heavy.

Houston and floods go hand-in-hand. The nation’s 4th-largest city, built on low-lying wetlands, has seen its population grow nearly 40 percent since 2000. Sprawling miles of concrete reduce natural drainage. Heavy rainstorms in 2015 and 2016 killed a total of 14 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.

Hurricanes not only threaten its citizens and oil facilities, they pose a risk to the state’s “chemical coast.” More than a dozen EPA Superfund sites dot the coast along with numerous chemical plants. Storm surge, winds and high water could dislodge contaminants into the environment, said a 2013 NPR report.

In addition to the impact on petroleum infrastructure, railroads have begun operational shutdowns. Kansas City Southern reported that service between Kendleton and Laredo, Texas will cease at midnight Thursday. Union Pacific also announced curtailments to service.

DanZukowski.com

Invironment

DIY Nature

)

Dan Zukowski

Written by

Environmental journalist and photographer.

Invironment

DIY Nature

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade