BP Refinery Blast: Adjacent oil units likely to be affected

24 March 2005 07:57  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (CNI)--The deadly explosion at the isomerisation unit in BP's Texas City refinery late on Wednesday are likely to have affected the adjacent units, a company spokesman told CNI on Thursday.

The unit made components to increase the octane content of gasoline. The 470,000 bbl/day refinery produces 3% of all the gasoline in the US, according to BP. BP’s chemical production units at the site were not damaged by the blast.

 

BP is still investigating the cause of the explosion that killed 14 people. More than 70 people have received medical treatment.

 

On Thursday, Asian traders said the adjacent 320,000 tonne/year fluid catalytic cracker was rumoured to have been damaged or shut because of the explosion at the isomerisation unit.

Asian traders were concerned of a possible FCC shutdown because Asia usually buys propylene from the US and South America because of a short supply position in the east. The BP spokesman was unable to confirm the FCC shutdown rumour.

 

"We don't have the exact details of which units are damaged besides the isomerisation unit, but it is likely the adjacent units are affected," he said.

 

"Our first priority is to make sure everyone is accounted for," he said. The official added that bulk of the refinery is still operating.

"It is a big refinery compound. It occupies 1,200 acres of land," he said. "The explosion affected only some parts of the refinery."

 

Meanwhile, the refinery explosion news sent US and Asian gasoline prices soaring. US usually buys gasoline from Asia, especially during the driving season in summer.

By: Edgar Ang
+65 6780 4359

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