Williams sells Alaska assets for $290 million

<br>(Tulsa,Oklahoma-AP) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams Companies is now out of the oil refining and marketing business. <br><br>Williams announced Thursday it's selling its refinery in Alaska, its

Thursday, April 1st 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa,Oklahoma-AP) -- Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams Companies is now out of the oil refining and marketing business.

Williams announced Thursday it's selling its refinery in Alaska, its interest in the trans-Alaska oil pipeline and its 26 convenience stores in the state.

The sales are for a total of $290-million. Wichita, Kansas-based Koch Industries is buying the refinery and pipeline interest.

Bloomington, Minnesota-based Holiday Companies is buying the convenience stores.

Williams has sold more than $8-billion in assets since December 2001.

The sales are part of a restructuring plan designed to improve Williams' balance sheet and to focus on the company's core business of producing, processing and transporting natural gas.