[StBernard] Exxon Says Chalmette Catalytic Cracking Unit Is Shut, No Date for Startup

[Westley Annis]

Exxon Says Chalmette Catalytic Cracking Unit Is Shut, No Date for Startup
By Leela Landress - Dec 23, 2010
Exxon Mobil Corp. shut down a fluid catalytic cracking unit Dec. 18 at its
Chalmette refinery in Louisiana, according to Kevin Allexon, a company
spokesman. The schedule for the unit's restart is undetermined, he said.

"At this time the refinery is operational and all customer needs are being
met," Allexon said.

Unplanned and planned refinery outages can increase prices for refined
products as companies turn to spot markets to help them meet supply
contracts. Operational disruptions can also depress prices for crude oil as
less feedstock is used.

The refinery is a joint venture with Petroleos de Venezuela SA and has a
capacity of 200,700 barrels a day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Chalmette is in St. Bernard Parish, adjacent to New Orleans.