Shell Norco increases flaring amid power outage

Shell's 250,000 b/d refinery in Norco, Louisiana, is expected to experience elevated flaring until electrical power is restored following Hurricane Ida.

The facility was shut in ahead of Ida's landfall on 29 August and remains without power today. The company said damage assessments were underway at Norco and its chemicals plant in nearby Geismar.

"Shell Norco and Shell Geismar have essential personnel on site to ensure around-the-clock safety and security as well as to provide ongoing assessments of the storm's impact," the company said. "It's still too early to know when we will resume full operations."

Shell Norco is one of seven Louisiana refineries comprising over 2mn b/d of manufacturing capacity taken offline by the hurricane.

By Dylan Chase