Williams Energy announces layoffs

TULSA, Oklahoma – An Oklahoma-based company with a big presence in Houston is downsizing.

Williams Energy confirms it is reducing its workforce across North America by 10%.

A statement from the company reads, in part: "These difficult decisions about employment reductions come as part of the company's 2016 business plan, which aligns the company's future growth with the realities of the current energy market."

Williams Energy said notifications are going out to employees this week and into the very early part of the second quarter of 2016. It said it will provide severance, including benefits and outplacement services, to affected employees.

The company also said the reductions are not related to the proposed merger with Energy Tranfer Equity.