UpdateUS refiners shut down, reduce rates ahead of hurricane

29 October 2012 15:43  [Source: ICIS news]

(adds updates throughout)

HOUSTON (ICIS)--Several northeast US energy producers shut down or reduced operating rates as Hurricane Sandy drew closer to the coast on Monday.

Phillips 66 shut down its 238,000 bbl/day Bayway Refinery in Linden, New Jersey, the company said on Monday. It also closed three storage terminals in New Jersey and New York.

NuStar Energy shut down its 74,000 bbl/day in Paulsboro refinery in New Jersey, according to various news reported.

Hess Corporation planned to cut rates at its 70,000 bbl/day plant in Port Reading, New Jersey, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE), which quoted other news reports.

Philadelphia Energy Solutions reduced rates at its 335,000 bbl/day refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the DOE reported.

The company later plans to shut down the Philadelphia refinery, according to Reuters.

PBF Energy has reduced rates at its 182,200 bbl/day refinery in Delaware City, Delaware.

Hurricane Sandy was about 205 miles (330km) southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, according to the National Hurricane Center as of 1100 hours New Jersey time (1500 hours GMT). It was travelling north northwest at about 15 miles/hour (24 km/hour).

Sandy should make landfall near the southern New Jersey coast late in the day, the centre said.

Sandy had maximum wind speeds near 90 miles/hour, with hurricane-force winds extending by up to 175 miles, the centre said.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, 6.5% of US refining capacity lies in Sandy's path.

For more information, see ICIS Plants & Projects

Additional reporting by Al Greenwood

By: Tracy Dang
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