30% of US Gulf of Mexico oil output still offline

HOUSTON — Nearly 30 percent of US Gulf of Mexico crude oil production and 41 percent of its natural gas production remained offline on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) following Hurricane Francine, the US offshore energy regulator said.

Francine churned through prime oil- and gas-producing areas in the US Gulf of Mexico and slammed into Louisiana with up to 100 miles per hour (161 kph) winds. The midweek storm toppled trees, flooded coastal areas and knocked out power across four states. There were some 37,000 customers in Louisiana without power on Saturday.