Two serious refinery fires are under investgation in different parts of the world as Niagra looks to recover from its own fire disaster.
The most recent, and largest, fire broke out in a set of storage tanks at Petrolos de Venezeula's (PDVSA) Amuay refinery. The fire happened when a gas cloud, caused by a leak, exploded, killing 48 people and damaging 500 homes in the local area. It is believed a further five workers in a nearby lubes manufacturing plant were also killed.
Firefighters use foam to tackle the Venezuelan fire Image:PDVSA |
Around 200 volunteer firefighters were drafted in to help put out the fire, which damaged nine fuel storage tanks at the 645,000b/d refinery. A full investigation is now underway although other areas of the plant remain operational. The majority of the dead and injured are believed to be nation guards housed on a site next door to the plant, who are employed by PDVSA to protect the operation. It is the worst industrial accident in the country in recent years.
Meanwhile, in Japan, investigations are also underway as JX Nippon Oil and Energy recovers from a major fire in a vacuum distillation unit at its Okyama-based Mizushima A refinery. The fire seriously damaged the unit and may have also damaged surround pipework due to the high temperature of burning oil. The full extent will not be known for some time.
The A refinery produces 3,500b/d of API Group I base oil, an increasingly rare commodity around the world.
Both companies have previously poor records safety records. PDVSA has had a number of fires, accidents and spillages over the last ten years, while JX Nipon's B refinery remains closed also after a fire in July this year.
There was more positive news from Buffalo County in the US, where Niagra Lubricants has been given an incentive package to help with the re-build of its Chandler Street plant which was destroyed by fire in July last year. The family-owned business vowed to get back to operation and now a new 60,000ft, 40-staff plant is being planned. While Niagra will be investing $2.24m in the site, the local Erie County Industrial Development Agency will be adding further incentives to the company.
Unsurprisingly, the new Niagra plant will include "state-of-the-art fire and safety protection equipment."