Exxon Mobil Corp is evacuating staff from its Sable Offshore Energy Project off the coast of Nova Scotia before Hurricane Bill arrives in the area this weekend.

Margot Bruce-O'Connell, an Exxon spokeswoman, said staff on the project, which is not currently producing natural gas because of scheduled maintenance, will be completely removed from the platform and other facilities over the next few days.

Bill is currently a category 3 hurricane with winds of more than 200 km/h (125 mph).

The Sable Project is owned by Exxon, Royal Dutch Shell, Imperial Oil Ltd, Pengrowth Energy Trust and Mosbacher Operating Ltd. (Reporting by Scott Haggett; editing by Rob Wilson)