Shell Oil’s Convent, Louisiana refinery will be shut down with a loss of 700 jobs.
The oil giant has been selling off refineries in the U.S. as the company re-invests in ‘uniquely integrated manufacturing sites that are also strategically positioned for the transition to a low-carbon future.’
Shell started looking for a buyer in July.
Efforts to sell the Convent refinery have been unsuccessful, thus the company had no other choice then to idle the plant.
The news brought a quick response from Governor John Bel Edwards: “We are disappointed to learn that Shell’s Convent Refinery in St. James Parish will be closing in the near future. This is a difficult decision for Shell and a challenging time for the company’s 700 Convent employees and their families. The State of Louisiana will support them in every way we can through the Rapid Response Unit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission and through prioritized placement of these talented workers within our state.”
In a statement Shell says the company will ‘ensure a safe and responsible shutdown of the refinery with a focus on the people who are most directly impacted. That includes supporting Convent employees at this difficult time by assisting them in applying for alternate opportunities within the company, or in transitioning to a future outside of the Shell. Shell will be opening a Selective Voluntary Severance program at its Geismar and Norco facilities, subject to bargaining for union represented employees, to potentially create additional roles where Convent employees can be placed.’