By Marianna Parraga, Erwin Seba and Tom Polansek
Reuters
Energy production and agricultural exports out of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were disrupted on Wednesday, and oil refineries in Louisiana slowed operations ahead of Hurricane Francine's landfall later in the day, according to official and operator reports.
Port Fourchon, Louisiana, home to marine and equipment suppliers to offshore oil producers, was closed to vessel traffic as was the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), the only U.S. deepwater port that can handle very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for oil imports and exports.