Oil production in the Gulf of Mexico could be affected this weekend by a stormwith the potential to create conditions similar to a minimal tropicalstorm."An El Nino based rogue storm for the Gulf states occurring Friday afternooninto Saturday will produce gales up to 50 mph and 10- to 15-foot waves," saidAccuWeather.com Senior Expert Meteorologist and Expert Long-Range ForecasterJoe Bastardi.
Oil and natural gas platforms scattered along the Gulf of Mexico could bedisturbed as a result of the impending weather.
"Normal oil and gas production processes could be disrupted this weekend, likethe disruptions that happen when a weak hurricane strikes," said Bastardi.
The storm will begin Friday around 1 p.m. for the western and central Gulf,moving through the eastern portion of the region on Saturday.
Crude oil prices fell below $80 a barrel Wednesday with warmer weather in theforecast for the eastern portion of the United States through the middle ofJanuary. Analysts expect the Northeast to decrease its demand for heating oilover the next week's warming trend.
However, the warming trend will come to an end by the closing of the month.
"Cold temperatures will be back by the last week of January," Bastardisaid.
As for gasoline prices, prices are nearing a national average of $3.00 pergallon in the United States, rising 14 cents in the last month.
Experts expect that January gasoline prices could set the precedent for therest of 2010.
Story by AccuWeather.com's Carly Porter.
