HOUSTON (Reuters) – Texas Gulf Coast refineries, including the nation’s largest, plan to continue normal operations through the passage of weakened Tropical Storm Beta, which is forecast to continue losing strength after coming ashore sometime on Tuesday, said sources and companies on Monday.
Motiva Enterprises’ 607,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Port Arthur, Texas, refinery, the nation’s largest, plans to maintain operations this week, just one week after restarting from Hurricane Laura, said sources familiar with plant operations.
Motiva said operations were normal at the refinery on Monday and the company is monitoring the storm for possible development.
Valero Energy Corp
Valero restarted the gasoline-producing unit on Saturday at its 335,000-bpd Port Arthur refinery, sources told Reuters. Valero shut the refinery for Laura on Aug. 25.
Total has advised night-shift workers to bring overnight bags in case heavy rains from Beta cause flooding that leaves them trapped in the 225,500-bpd refinery, said sources familiar with plant operations.
The refinery continues to restart following the Aug. 25 shutdown from Laura.
Total spokeswoman Marie Maitre said the refinery has activated its severe weather preparation plan.
Marathon Petroleum Corp
Marathon spokesman Sid Barth declined to discuss the refinery’s operations.
Phillips 66
Lyondell Basell Industries’
(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
