U.S. oil companies are shutting down refineries in Texas and Louisiana as they prepare for Tropical Storm Laura, approaching the Gulf of Mexico, Report says, referring to Reuters.
The companies evacuated 310 offshore production facilities from the region and suspended output of 1.56 million barrels per day.
It represents 84% of the total. On the eve of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, about 90% was stopped.
Authorities in Texas and Louisiana have called for coastal residents to relocate. The wind will able to reach 185 km / h during the storm.
Earlier, a state of emergency was declared in Mississippi and Louisiana, as well as in 23 Texas counties.