NewsFlashUS board warns refiners on venting

31 October 2006 15:53  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) on Tuesday urged the US refining industry to eliminate the type of atmospheric vents that caused an explosion that killed 15 workers at BP's Texas City, Texas refinery in March 2005.

The accident occurred during the startup of the 460,000 bbl/day refinery's octane-boosting isomerisation unit, when a distillation tower and blowdown drums were overfilled with flammable liquid hydrocarbons.

The blowdown drum vented directly into the atmosphere, releasing highly flammable liquid vapour onto the refinery grounds, causing a series of explosions.

The CSB urged the American Petroleum Institute to change its recommended practices to warn the refining industry against using blowdown drums similar to those at Texas City, to use safer flare systems and to ensure that companies plan for large-scale, flammable liquid releases from process equipment.

In addition to those safety recommendations, CSB urged the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration to establish a programme promoting the elimination of unsafe blowdown systems.

"Unfortunately, the weaknesses in design, equipment, programmes and safety investment that were identified in Texas City are not unique either to that refinery or to BP," said Carolyn Merritt, CSB chairman. "Federal regulators and the industry itself should take prompt action to make sure that similar unsafe conditions do not exist elsewhere."

This week CSB issued preliminary findings that indicated BP was aware of several safety issues at the Texas City refinery but failed to act upon them quickly enough. CSB is expected to issue a final report early next year.

By: Brian Ford
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