HOUSTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - A 60,000 barrel per day (bpd)hydrocracking unit was shut on Monday at Motiva Enterprises 600,250 bpd Port Arthur, Texas, refinery due to aleaking seal on the unit's compressor, said sources familiarwith plant operations.
The hydrocracker, called HCU 2, uses hydrogen under highheat and pressure to make motor fuels from gas oil. It is theonly HCU primarily making fuel, mostly diesel, at the PortArthur refinery. U.S. refiners have seen higher profits due toexports of diesel.
Motiva's Port Arthur refinery is the largest in the UnitedStates. Motiva is a 50-50 refining venture between Royal DutchShell PLC and Saudi Aramco. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Marguerita Choy)