U.S. President Donald Trump's administration will delay by two years a final rule designating protections for the endangered Rice's whale in the oil and gas drilling region of the Gulf of Mexico, according to an agreement with environmental groups filed in a federal court.

Forecasters are warning of early signs of a potential tropical cyclone developing along the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. A low-pressure system that could bring storms to Florida before moving west has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over the next several days, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

A flood watch will go into effect for much of south Louisiana this week as a slow-moving low-pressure system heads toward the Gulf of Mexico, bringing with it the potential for downpours and flash flooding along the Gulf Coast.

A disorganized low-pressure area off Florida is showing increasing chances of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm this week.

U.S. shale producer Occidental Petroleum said on Monday its Gulf of Mexico production in the second quarter was curtailed due to third-party constraints, extended maintenance, and schedule-related delays.

Invest 93L has slid into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, where conditions could favor some development as it moves west across the north-central Gulf. It will move into

Meanwhile, the latest outlook from Colorado State University still points to an above-average hurricane season, but with a slightly less aggressive forecast than earlier projections. The updated forecast has reduced the expected numbers of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes by one in each category.

A Connecticut-based shipping company pleaded guilty to pollution charges after crew members on one of its ships deliberately dumped more than 10,000 gallons of oil waste into the Gulf of Mexico.