Shell Norco, Louisiana refinery hydrocracker partially shut -sources

HOUSTON - The hydrocracker at Royal Dutch Shell Plc's 227,400 barrel-per-day (bpd) Norco, Louisiana, refinery was partially shut on Tuesday because of a malfunction, said sources familiar with plant operations.

The second stage of the 40,000-bpd hydrocracker was taken offline, the sources said. Hydrocrackers break down feedstocks, usually, gas oil to make diesel and other motor fuels. The unit's first stage continues to operate.