Historic winter storm paralyzes gas exporters and traffic

A severe winter storm is currently sweeping across the southern United States, disrupting both business and travel plans. In Houston and New Orleans, schools and airports fell victim to the snow, while deliveries had to be halted at one of the largest U.S. liquefied natural gas export terminals. The weather phenomenon, stretching from Texas to North Carolina, is also causing a stir in Europe as gas prices soar due to U.S. supply disruptions. Donald Jones, meteorologist at the weather service, warns: "This storm will lay a blanket of snow across the entire Gulf Coast, followed by another cold front." Particularly affected is the Freeport LNG complex, which had to shut down operations due to "intermittent" power outages. Blizzard warnings were issued for the first time in history in areas from Port Arthur, Texas to Lafayette, Louisiana, while snow fell in Brownsville, near the Mexican border. Challenges also for the energy sector: The Texas power grid operator agency declared a transmission crisis in Southeast Texas, while temperatures in Odessa in the Permian Basin dropped to a frigid 13 degrees Fahrenheit. Without pilot services, essential gas transports at the Cameron LNG terminal cannot take place. The weather service points out that over 50 cold records could be broken or tied. Frozen water in wells and pipelines could impact gas and oil production, and electricity demand is rising. Nearly 35,000 customers, primarily in South Texas, already experienced power outages. Traffic is also massively affected: Airports in Houston had to close, and numerous flights in New Orleans were canceled. Amtrak canceled several trains, and many roads in Louisiana were no longer passable. But there is hope: Toward the end of the week, temperatures are expected to rise, and the icy cold is expected to subside.