ExxonMobil restarting US Baytown site, most Beaumont remains down

HOUSTON (ICIS)–ExxonMobil began initial start-up activities over the weekend at its Baytown refinery and chemical site in Texas as well as operations at its Beaumont polyethylene (PE) plant following Hurricane Harvey, the US-based refiner and petrochemicals major said.

“We are making progress on restart activities at ExxonMobil’s Baytown complex, which was spared significant damage from Harvey,” it said.

“Timing on a return to normal operations will depend largely on the availability and condition of transportation infrastructure.”

The company is working with the Port of Houston to expedite vessels through the Houston Ship Channel, as well as coordinating with railroads on repairs.

ExxonMobil Pipeline Co is restarting lines to move gasoline and diesel to customers.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil is only able to initiate start-up activities at part of its Beaumont site – namely its PE plant.

Although its chemical manufacturing facilities are dry, the refinery remains shut down due to flooding in the lower part of the complex, it said.

ExxonMobil continues assessing its offshore sites in the Gulf of Mexico.

Its Hadrian South subsea production system and Galveston 209 are back online.

Its Hoover platform is in post-storm assessment process and will return to operations once it is safe to do so.