RPT-UPDATE 1-Exxon says shuts diesel unit at Australia refinery

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SYDNEY, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) said on Thursday it has shut down the diesel production unit at its Altona refinery in Australia's Victoria state due to technical issues.

"We shut down the unit a few days ago ... we expect production to be back up by middle of next week," said Exxon's spokesman Alan Bailey.

Bailey said the refinery has not been supplying diesel to the market and has put customers on reduced allocation.

The Altona refinery produces about 13 million litres of refined products each day, with petrol and diesel accounting for 50 and 25 percent of production respectively. Jet fuel, bitumen and liquefied petroleum gas makes up the rest.