Energy Tomorrow Blog
Industry Preparedness Supports Safe and Stable Response to Severe Weather Events
Suzanne Lemieux
Posted August 31, 2021
The U.S. natural gas and oil industry is working to protect coastal communities and workers as first responders assess Hurricane Ida’s impact along the Gulf Coast. Right now, our members are actively assessing their facilities and infrastructure while monitoring flooding conditions on the ground.
The Department of Energy noted Monday morning that “refinery and offshore platform shut-ins are not anticipated to cause any immediate supply issues.” Operators will continue coordinating with government authorities to mitigate risk and address any potential fuel disruptions while working to supply the energy that is critical to emergency response.
Fuel refineries and pipeline infrastructure are vital to emergency response and market stability. Whether it is this storm or future storms, U.S. energy operators are prepared to mitigate risk and minimize disruption.
Hurricane Laura: Three Things to Know
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Jessica Lutz
Posted August 26, 2020
As officials at the National Hurricane Center monitor the projected path of Laura (below, as of Wednesday evening), here are a few things to know about the U.S. natural gas and oil industry’s preparations:
1.We’re focused on the safety of workers, communities and infrastructure
2. U.S. energy leadership, lower demand mean inventories of refined products are strong
3. America’s energy infrastructure network is modern and diverse
Providing Energy Stability Throughout Hurricane Season
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Jessica Lutz
Posted August 3, 2020
As we head into the heart of what is forecast to be an above-normal hurricane season, the natural gas and oil industry stands prepared to protect energy workers, neighboring communities, and the energy production facilities and infrastructure that are vital to keeping Americans well supplied.
Industry preparations help minimize the risk of extreme weather to critical energy infrastructure, including refineries and pipelines, and allow for rapid response to hurricane impacts – specifically, to help limit supply disruptions and aid the recovery. Of course, major weather events test preparations, but we are focused on being as prepared as possible for this season.
As Hurricane Michael Approaches
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Jessica Lutz
Posted October 10, 2018
As officials at the National Hurricane Center monitor the projected path of Michael (below, as of Wednesday afternoon), here are a few things to know about industry’s preparations and the critically important fuel supply chain.
As with all impactful storms, industry’s focus is first and foremost safety and keeping the market well-supplied, including storm-affected areas. The nation’s fuel supply system is large, geographically diverse and adaptable – and has a history of responses that minimize disruptions.
As Hurricane Florence Approaches
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Mark Green
Posted September 13, 2018
As officials at the National Hurricane Center monitor the projected path of Florence, here are a few things to know about industry’s preparations and the critically important fuel supply chain.
First, industry’s focus – as with all impactful storms – is safety and keeping the market well-supplied, including storm-affected areas. The nation’s fuel supply system is large, geographically diverse and adaptable – and in the past has responded to minimize disruptions.
In the Heart of Hurricane Season, Harvey Helps Guide Preparations
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Mark Green
Posted September 4, 2018
About this time a year ago, Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast were reeling from Hurricane Harvey, a monster storm that came ashore twice in less than a week, causing death and an estimated $125 billion in damage while inundating some parts of Texas with more than 60 inches of rain – a record for a U.S. weather event.
The natural gas and oil industry prepared for the storm to help minimize risk to critical energy infrastructure, including refineries and pipelines, and then was able to respond to the hurricane’s impacts, which helped limit supply disruptions and aided the recovery.
Our industry’s experiences last year help guide readiness this year. With Tropical Storm Gordon landing on the Gulf Coast and hurricane/storm activity in general picking up, safety tops the list of readiness goals.
Record Refinery Performance Lends Confidence for Hurricane Season
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Dean Foreman
Posted August 16, 2018
As we head into what historically is the heart of the annual hurricane season, America’s refiners have never been in a stronger position to deliver the fuels we all need – which is good news for consumers.
According to API’s Monthly Statistical Report (MSR), the refining industry in June eclipsed 18 million barrels per day (b/d) of liquid fuels processed in distillation units and has remained on track for its strongest year on record.
Indeed, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that refinery runs will average 16.9 million b/d this year and 17 million b/d in 2019 – both of which would be records, surpassing the 2017 annual average of 16.6 million b/d.
Hurricane Season is Preparation Season
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Mark Green
Posted May 22, 2018
Hurricane Season 2018 finds our industry, the refinery and pipeline sectors and associated industries prepared to protect energy production facilities and infrastructure that are vital to keeping Americans well supplied, even during severe weather conditions.
That was the message from natural gas and oil and other energy-related sectors during a conference call with reporters. The 2017 hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, confirmed the importance of pre-event training, established emergency protocols, coordinated communications and overall preparation – which our industry and others already are undertaking as June 1, the official start of hurricane season, approaches. API was joined on the call by the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA), American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), American Gas Association (AGA), Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA).
Major weather events test preparations; we and our energy partners are focused on being as prepared as possible for this season.
Hurricane Preparedness, Safety and Response
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Mark Green
Posted August 25, 2017
Hurricane Harvey is moving through the Gulf of Mexico, home to nearly 20 percent of total U.S. crude oil production, and toward the Texas coast, where more than 25 percent of U.S. refining capacity is located. We don’t know exactly where the storm will come ashore, but since the Gulf Coast is the largest domestic supplier of transportation fuels, a lot of people are watching its track.
Hurricane Season = Preparedness Season
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Mark Green
Posted June 9, 2015
With another hurricane season upon us, it’s timely to briefly review the ways the oil and natural gas industry is prepared for conditions that could impact industry operations, particularly in the Gulf Coast region and Gulf of Mexico – home to more than 45 percent of U.S. refining capacity and about 17 percent of the nation’s oil and 5 percent of its natural gas production.
While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting below-normal activity in the Atlantic region (which includes the Gulf), industry still takes a number precautions and has response plans in place in the event of a serious storm – wise, considering the potential impacts to facilities, regional and national economies and the environment.
You can read about this in detail in this hurricane fact sheet.