Beryl to make landfall in Texas as hurricane, threatens US chem hubs

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Tropical storm Beryl is expected to make landfall by Monday between Corpus Christi and Freeport, Texas, the homes to several chemical plants and refineries as well as two of the nation’s major terminals that export liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Tropical storm Beryl is 195 miles (315 km), south southeast of Matagorda Bay, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles/hour, according to the National Hurricane Center. It should become a hurricane later on Sunday and continue strengthening before making landfall by early Monday in the middle of the Texas Gulf Coast.

The following map shows the forecasts path of Beryl.

Source: National Hurricane Center

BERYL THREATENS PETCHEMS, LNG TERMINALS
Petrochemical plants and complexes as well as refineries, LNG terminals and oil-exporting operations are with the center’s hurricane watch zone, which includes Corpus Christi, Victoria and Freeport.

The rest of the Texas coast is subject to a tropical storm warning.

Corpus Christi is home to petrochemical plants, refineries, an LNG terminal and major crude oil exporting operations.

Freeport is home to an LNG terminal and several petrochemical plants, including Dow’s major complex.

PORT OPERATIONS THREATENED
The National Hurricane Center also issued a storm surge warning that covers Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay and Galveston Bay.

In regards to US oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has not issued any reports.

Thumbnail shows Beryl. Image by National Hurricane Center.