FHR reports steam leak at US cracker, may shut down unit

16 March 2012 14:02  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--Flint Hills Resources (FHR) has reported a steam leak at its Port Arthur cracker in Texas, saying it planned to cut rates and potentially shut down the unit in a public filing on Friday.

FHR said repair efforts to stop the leak have included installing a customised clamp, which reduced the leak but failed to completely stop it.

The cracker would be shut down if additional attempts to repair the leak "on-line" are not successful, the company said in the filing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). 

"It does not sound like a major problem, so probably a very short shutdown if required," said a market participant.

FHR did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company has 621,000 tonnes/year of capacity in Port Arthur.

Follow William on Twitter
For more on FHR’s plants visit ICIS plants and projects 

By: William Lemos
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly