Texas Oil Industry Resumes Operation After Hurricane Beryl's Power Disruptions
By Thea Felicity
Jul 09, 2024 01:03 PM EDT
Jul 09, 2024 01:03 PM EDT
(Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Oil and gas companies across Texas are swiftly resuming operations after Hurricane Beryl battered the Gulf Coast with winds reaching 80 miles per hour, causing widespread damage and leaving millions without power, according to Reuters.
The hurricane landed near Matagorda early Monday, prompting preemptive shutdowns of energy facilities and closures of major ports and navigation channels throughout the state.
Despite these disruptions, VCPost reported that the impact on oil and gas production is expected to be relatively minor.
However, Goldman Sachs noted that while the hurricane did not severely disrupt US oil production and refining operations, several key oil ports remained closed amid ongoing power outages, which could potentially affect oil demand in the near term.
READ MORE: Texas Energy Industry Evaluates Hurricane Beryl's Damages to Shipping Ports, Oil Production Sector
As of Tuesday, July 9, ports were slated to reopen, and many producers and facilities were ramping up output after taking precautionary measures that included scaling back processing activities.
However, the slow power restoration to homes, businesses, and industrial customers posed challenges. Approximately 2.3 million Texans are still without electricity, notably affecting 1.8 million customers served by CenterPoint Energy. The energy provider company has also announced plans to restore service to at least one million affected customers no later than Wednesday, July 10.
Texas remains valuable to the U.S. energy sector, accounting for about 40% of the nation's oil and 20% of its gas production, as well as its role as a major hub for shipping and refining.
For now, the energy industry in Texas will continue to assess and address the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
READ NEXT: Texas Grid Prepares for Highest-Ever Power Demand Due to Summer Heat Wave
© 2024 VCPOST, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join the Conversation