Shell says Norco refinery stable; reformer shut after fire

HOUSTON: Royal Dutch Shell Plc shut the catalytic reformer at its 225,800 barrel per day (bpd) Norco, Louisiana, refinery on Saturday following a fire, sources familiar with plant operations said on Monday, and a company spokesperson said operations were stable.

Shell spokesman Ray Fisher said Monday a unit was shut at the Norco Manufacturing Complex after a fire on Saturday but declined to identify the unit.

"There is no timetable for the restart of that unit," Fisher said. "Operations are stable."

The 40,000 bpd reformer is expected to require a week of repairs from damage due to the flange fire, the sources said.

Fisher said there were no injuries due to the fire.