Shell Chemical's operations in Louisiana remained shut or running at reduced rates Wednesday as what is now Tropical Storm Isaac moved across the southeastern part of the state, Shell said in an afternoon posting to its website.
Shell shut its Geismar plant, which produces alpha olefins as well as ethylene glycols, ahead of the storm earlier this week.
The company has continued to operate its petrochemical complex in Norco, St. Charles Parish, at reduced rates. The complex is anchored by two steam crackers with a combined ethylene production exceeding 950,000 mt/year. Propylene and butadiene are also produced at the facility.
Shell also said its Motiva refinery in Convent was shut ahead of the storm, while those in Norco as well as Mobile, Alabama, were operating at reduced rates.
"All four facilities will maintain essential personnel on site to ensure around-the-clock safety and security as well as to provide assessments of the storm's impact," Shell said.
Operations will resume as weather conditions allow, the company said.
Isaac made landfall late Tuesday as a Category 1 hurricane. It is now moving across the southeastern part of Louisiana, causing extensive flooding in some areas.
