Isaias Shuts In 1.28 Million Barrels a Day of Gulf Oil

Hurricane Isaias prompted a sharp expansion of offshore oil and gas shutdowns in the Gulf of Mexico, with 1.28 million barrels per day of oil production offline by Thursday morning, according to the Marine Minerals Administration. The agency said that represented 62.89% of current Gulf oil output, while 57.35% of natural-gas production was shut in, based on reports from operators submitted by 11 a.m. CDT. The storm, the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season, was moving toward the northern Gulf Coast. Forecasts described a potential early Saturday landfall, but its track and strength were still subject to change. The shutdowns were a precaution as offshore companies moved personnel and equipment away from the storm’s projected path. The administration said workers had been evacuated from 121 of the Gulf’s 371 manned production platforms by Thursday. Its Tuesday survey had reported no platform or rig evacuations and lower shutdown totals. The Thursday survey covered 12 companies, compared with one company in Tuesday’s survey, a difference in reporting coverage as well as timing. Shell said it suspended production and evacuated personnel from five offshore facilities.