One Blow Away From $6 Gas

A Category 5 storm moving on Houston through the northern Gulf would dwarf energy industry disruptions from Katrina and Rita. Forty percent of U.S. refinery production could be shut, as well as nearly all offshore production facilities. In the short term, a spike in gasoline prices proportionate to that seen as Katrina targeted the Gulf and made landfall would take the national average for all grades within striking range of $5 a gallon. In a protracted disruption to supplies, $6 a gallon or more would not be out of the question.

BNet