Hess: 'Absolutely No Plans to Close Any of Our Stores'

UPDATE (March 5, 10:12 a.m.): Hess spokesman Dennis Moynihan said Tuesday morning that reports that Hess is closing its gas stations couldn't be further from the truth.

"We have absolutely no plans to close any of our stores," said Moynihan in a statement.

"We want all of our guests to know it's business as usual at all of our retail stores," he added. "Our commitment to competitive prices and customer services – it will not change. The brand is strong, and it will live long into the future."

Moynihan said there are a lot of people interested in the Hess toy truck program, and that will not be going anywhere.

An earlier story follows:

Hess has reportedly announced it's closing its gas stations and will focus on “exploration and production."

Recently, Elliott Management, one of the company’s largest shareholders, "accused the board of ‘poor oversight,’ and said that the company’s management was responsible for more than a ‘decade of failures,’” reported the Associated Press.

Hess will close its gas stations, including the Hess Express on Lafayette Road in Hampton, and focus on other parts of the business, including oil exploration and production. Many of the stations are owned by Hess rather than franchises, reported AP.