Tropical depression forms in Gulf of Mexico

MIAMI (Reuters) – The fifth tropical depression of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season formed in the northern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, and was forecast to pass through key U.S. oil production areas before reaching Texas or Louisiana, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

One computer model indicated the weather system could reach hurricane strength before making landfall, but the Miami-based hurricane center’s official prediction called for it to top out as a tropical storm with maximum winds of 55 knots, or 63 miles per hour (102 km per hour).

Much of U.S. offshore oil production is in the likely path of the storm, which could also threaten Gulf Coast refineries.

Oil companies have been working to strengthen platforms to withstand hurricane-force winds and so storm level winds should not pose an undue threat.

Reuters