If Dean continues on its present course, it will hit Mexico's giant Cantarell oilfield...

[roamer65]

in the Bay of Campeche.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/203526.shtml?hwind120#contents

Cantarell is directly in the hurricane force wind path.

http://www.energybulletin.net/1651.html

Cantarell is second only to Saudi Arabia's giant oilfield Ghawar in production.

[Gman]

1. For years back in the 70 there was tar on Texas beaches from a well

in the Bay of Campeche that blew out. You still have to watch your step, but maybe that's just me. Hope we're not in for a repeat.

[roamer65]

3. Exactly, one of my thoughts as well.

Damaged oil rigs = uncapped wells = ecodisaster.

My heart goes out to the people in the Yucatan tonite.

[Jacobin]

2. 2 million bbls a day

would be a pretty significant hit, until they get the wells back on line

[alfredo]

4. The storm will be degraded from landfall

and may not have time to gather much strength as it passes through the region.