Exxon shuts catalytic reformer at 275,000-bpd Joliet refinery, Wood Mackenzie says

By Nicole Jao

NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - ExxonMobil XOM.N has shut one of its catalytic reformers at its 275,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Joliet, Illinois, Wood Mackenzie said on Wednesday.

The 50,000-bpd catalytic reformer was taken offline on October 20, according to Wood Mackenzie, noting that "decreased stack activity and elevated flaring began at that time."

"We’re working to resolve an operational issue. The safety of the community and our workforce remains our primary focus," ExxonMobil spokesperson said on Wednesday, without providing more details on operation.

Catalytic reforming is a petroleum refining process that converts hydrocarbons with low octane numbers into higher-octane reformate.

A power outage in September led to a two-week downtime at the refinery.

The Joliet refinery is a key fuel supplier to the US Midwest. According to the company's website, it can produce about 11 million gallons per day of gasoline and diesel fuel.

The disruption comes amid a tight global fuel market, with the conflict in the Middle East and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries putting pressure on fuel supplies.