(Adds Motiva comment)
HOUSTON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Motiva Enterprises was preparing on Monday to restart the 60,000-barrel per day(bpd) hydrocracking unit (HCU) at its 600,250 bpd Port Arthur,Texas, refinery, said sources familiar with plant operations.
The HCU, which converts gas oil into motor fuels, especiallydiesel, was shut on Feb. 16 by a malfunction. Diesel has becomea lucrative export for refiners along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
A Motiva spokeswoman said a strike by United Steelworkersunion members, which began on Saturday, has not affectedmaintenance projects at the refinery.
"Our planned maintenance is progressing and is not affectedby the strike," said Motiva Kelly op de Weegh.
The Port Arthur refinery is the nation's largest. Motiva is50-50 joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell Plc andSaudi Aramco. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Chris Reese and AndrewHay)