Hurricane Beryl creates havoc in Texas, impacting major energy infrastructure and causing power outages.
The Texas energy sector is gauging the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl's impact on the Gulf Coast, with significant disruptions seen in crucial shipping ports and oil production sites.
Beryl hit the Texas coastal town of Matagorda with escalating winds and challenges for the country's energy domain.
The storm transitioned from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm during the day and is set to weaken further as it moves across Texas and into other regions.
Texas, being a major oil and gas producer in the US, faced implications on oil and gas output due to the storm, affecting global supply concerns and trade.
Despite storm-related disturbances, major refineries along the Gulf Coast were relatively unaffected, with minimal impacts observed.
The storm's trajectory spared the major production hubs in Corpus Christi and Houston, diminishing the threat of supply disruptions in those areas.
Furthermore, Phillips 66's Sweeny facility in Texas was the only one directly in the storm's path, with ongoing assessments following the storm.
The extensive power outage in Texas affected over 2.7 million residences and businesses, with CenterPoint Energy reporting significant customer disruptions in the state, particularly in southern and eastern parts.
The storm's heavy winds and flooding in Houston resulted in casualties and infrastructure damages, adding to the aftermath challenges faced by the region.
The energy industry, including key ports like Port of Corpus Christi and others in Houston, Galveston, Freeport, and Texas City, experienced closures and disruptions due to Hurricane Beryl.
Key players in the industry like Shell and Chevron took necessary precautions, including production shutdowns and personnel evacuations from offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
The impact of the storm on US oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, a substantial contributor to the nation's oil output, is still being assessed.
Source: ALJAZEERA
ALJAZEERA MEDIA NETWORK