With hurricane season officially underway Saturday, oil and
natural gas production stands to be interrupted by major storms
this summer. But the increase in production at inland basins has
mitigated the impact of hurricanes on overall oil production,
according to the Energy Information Agency.  Government weather
forecasters believe there is a 70% chance of between 13 and 20
named storms in the Atlantic this season, out of which seven to
11 could become hurricanes. And three to six may become major
hurricanes rated at Category 3 or higher.  Early forecasts for
hurricane season don’t include trajectory of potential storms,
while the severity of any disruption in oil or natural gas
production depends on a storm’s strength and location, the EIA
noted.  This much is clear—the U.S. is less dependent on
production in the federal Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes are
more likely to cause disruptions.  In 1997, 26% of the nation’s
natural gas was produced there. By 2012, the Gulf of Mexico’s
share fell to 6%. Oil prod