The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted in May there would be an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season this year. Credit: MikeMareen via Getty Images.

Despite the worst of Hurricane Francine having now passed, almost a fifth of the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is still out of action, amounting to almost 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) of output.

In addition, as of Sunday evening, almost 30% of the region’s natural gas production was also offline, equal to 515 million cubic feet, said the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which overseas safety and environmental protection in the offshore energy industry.

According to several US media reports, Francine’s impact has resulted in cumulative losses of well over two million barrels of oil and more than 4.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas, citing industry reports.

Roughly 10% of the regions offshore platforms were still evacuated on Sunday evening.

On Friday, production began to come back online as the hurricane moved inland, bypassing Texas but hitting Louisiana, as ports reopened and onshore terminals began to accept oil and gas tankers.

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At the end of last week, Francine had shut more than 40% of the region’s offshore oil and over 50% of its natural gas production.

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The GOM remains one of the US’ most important oil and gas productions regions, and is still offering up new finds.

Just a few days ago, Talos Energy announced that it has found what it described as significant amounts of oil and natural gas offshore.

The company reported that preliminary data from the Ewing Bank 953 well suggests an estimated 15–25 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe) in total resources, with an initial gross production rate of 8,000–10,000bpd.

First production is expected in mid-2026, according to a statement released by the company.