Updates with refinery shutdowns, Ida forecast intensity.
A number of US Gulf coast refinery operators started shutdown operations ahead of Hurricane Ida, which is forecast to make landfall along the northern Gulf coast on 29 August and has already triggered residential evacuations.
Phillips 66's 250,000 b/d Alliance refinery in Belle Chasse, and Shell's 225,000 b/d refinery in Norco all started safe and orderly shutdown operations this afternoon in preparations for the storm's arrival, according to the companies.
ExxonMobil's 500,000 b/d refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and its 362,000 b/d refinery in Beaumont, Texas, started preparations for the storm yesterday, but had not begun shutdown operations, according to the companies. Marathon Petroleum today declined to say if preparations have begun for its 565,000 b/d refinery in Garyville, Louisiana, but said it has plans and procedures in place for severe weather.
Representatives did not respond from: Delek's 80,000 b/d refinery in Krotz Springs, Louisiana; Valero's 215,000 b/d refinery in St Charles, Louisiana, and its 135,000 b/d Meraux refinery in Chalmette, Louisiana; PBF Energy's 190,000 b/d refinery in Chalmette; and Citgo's 425,000 b/d refinery in Lake Charles.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast and a storm surge warning is in effect for parts of the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coasts, according to the National Hurricane Center, which has forecast Ida's arrival as a Category 4 storm, with wind speeds between 130-156 mph (209-251 km/h).
St Charles Parish in Louisiana today issued a recommended evacuation for all its residents no later than tomorrow evening.
