Exxon begins U.S. Gulf evacuations ahead of Ike

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) said on Tuesday it was evacuating workers from its Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas facilities that are expected to be in the path of Hurricane Ike.

The company added in its press release that it was initiating safety procedures at its oil refineries along the coast, including those in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Beaumont and Baytown, Texas.

"This includes monitoring the path of Hurricane Ike closely," the company said.

(Reporting by Richard Valdmanis)