A combined blow from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike has shut down almost all oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico and handicapped refinery operations in Texas and Louisiana.

A combined blow from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike has shut down almost all oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico and handicapped refinery operations in Texas and Louisiana.

Gasoline prices rose Saturday by an average of five cents a gallon across the country as the oil industry anticipated disruptions at several refineries along the Texas coast because of Hurricane Ike.

For the second time in two weeks, a powerful hurricane is forcing oil companies to shut down major production and refining facilities.

Waves of relief rather than water washed over the oil patch after Hurricane Gustav’s punch appeared to be much less powerful than those of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina three years ago.

Energy companies shut down production and refining operations throughout the weekend in preparation for an intensifying Hurricane Gustav to hit in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico oil patch.

Chevron said Friday that record oil prices drove second-quarter earnings up 11 percent to its highest-ever profit.

In a plan to save the Everglades, Florida officials and a family-run sugar company are seeking a delicate balance.

Mexico produces less crude than it planned and imports more refined gas, lacking the capacity to refine its oil itself.

Cameco, the world’s largest uranium producer, has told the Canadian nuclear regulator that its refinery might have leaked uranium, arsenic and fluorides into Lake Ontario.