Exxon Mobil to ask for SPR oil after storm

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) would ask for crude oil from the U.S. emergency Strategic Petroleum Reserve on Tuesday and Shell Oil Co (RDSa.L) was expected to make a similar request, as refiners look to ensure gasoline supplies in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.

"I understand they expect to get a request from Exxon tomorrow," Jindal said at a Monday evening news conference. "Shell is likely to make similar request."

An Exxon spokeswoman said she could not confirm the company would tap the SPR for oil.

"I cannot confirm these reports at this time," said Premlata Nair. "I will, however, check and get back to you."

Jindal, a Republican, said he spoke with U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman on Monday about the impact of Gustav on the energy industry in Louisiana and the availability of oil from the SPR.

Early checks by some U.S. refiners reported no damage from Gustav, which weakened to Category 2 before roaring ashore near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Monday.

About a dozen oil refineries representing about 15 percent of the nation's fuel production capacity were shut as a precaution as the storm neared and another 10 refineries cut production rates, according to company officials, trade sources and a report from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Restarting a refinery can take at least a few days.

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is the 700-million-barrel emergency stockpile of crude oil managed by the U.S. Department of Energy to keep the U.S. economy running in case foreign crude imports are cut off.

A Shell representative was not immediately available.

(Reporting by Mary Milliken and Erwin Seba; Editing by Kim Coghill)