NEW YORK, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Hess Corp (HES.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Wednesday it was shutting down the processing units at its 500,000 barrel per day joint-venture Hovensa refinery on St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, ahead of Hurricane Omar which is expected to pass near or over the island overnight.

"To ensure the safety of our employees and the operation, HOVENSA L.L.C. is in the process of shutting down all processing and auxiliary equipment at its St. Croix refinery, except those necessary to maintain power supply in the complex," said Alex Moorhead, a spokesman for the refinery, which is jointly owned by Hess and Venezuela's state oil company.