Hurricanes threaten growth in offshore oil

Oil companies in the United States are pinning the hopes of the nation’s energy future on big oil finds in offshore waters even as scientists predict the Atlantic will spawn more powerful hurricanes through the next two to three decades.

The coincidence of new offshore oil projects and fiercer storms could lead to more volatile oil prices as the world’s biggest energy consumer grows vulnerable to nature’s whims.

Hurricanes like last year’s Ivan and this year’s Dennis and Emily can damage oil platforms and pipelines and disrupt supplies to fuel-producing refineries, boosting energy prices.

Houston Chronicle