National gas prices could see temporary uptick in Ida's wake

Gas prices could see a temporary spike after Ida, which made landfall in Louisiana as a hurricane and forced the closure of pipelines and energy industry infrastructure.

Gas prices across the country could see a temporary spike in the aftermath of Ida, which made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane on Sunday and forced the temporary closure of pipeline routes and energy industry infrastructure in the region. While residents in the area are still reeling from Ida's fury and many customers could remain without power for weeks, an emotional New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Monday said the city was spared from a "worst-case scenario" situation. "We did not have another Katrina," Cantrell said. "We should all be grateful." As of Monday afternoon, some 94.6% of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), the agency that oversees the offshore energy industry in the U.S. Moreover, the BSEE also estimates that approximately 93.57% of gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in. "After the storm has passed, facilities will be inspected," the agency said Monday. "Once all standard checks have been completed, production from undamaged facilities will be brought back online immediately. Facilities sustaining damage may take longer to bring back online."