Stocks plummeted in the United States today as heightened fears of another hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast sent oil prices racing past 67dollars a barrel and investors grew anxious about the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest-rate meeting.

Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Norsk Hydro ASA and other oil firms said they won’t accelerate drilling until they are convinced higher prices are here to stay and that governments will protect the industry when prices fall.

STATOIL, the Norwegian oil company being investigated on suspicion of paying bribes in Iran, said third-quarter profit rose a more-than-expected 32% because of higher oil prices and falling production costs.