Oct 8 (Reuters) - Energy companies on Tuesday began

shutting down their pipelines and fuel-delivery terminals in

Tampa, Florida ahead of the forecast landfall of Hurricane

Milton.

Kinder Morgan ( KMI ) said it has shut down its Central

Florida Pipeline system, two small lines which carry gasoline,

diesel and other fuels from Tampa to Orlando. Kinder Morgan ( KMI ) also

closed all bulk-fuel delivery terminals in the Tampa area.

"While the Tampa terminal is shut down, our Orlando truck

racks are expected to remain operational until winds exceed 35

miles per hour," Kinder Morgan ( KMI ) added.

Hurricane Milton was located 520 miles (835 km) southwest of

Tampa, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (241 kph). It

is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.

Refiner Citgo has also shut down its Tampa

terminal as Milton approaches the Florida coast, the company

said in an email.

Milton is forecast to retain its major hurricane status and

expand in size while it approaches the west coast of Florida.