Recently, a major industrial accident injured at least four workers at one of the largest oil refineries in the United States. ExxonMobil oil refinery in Baytown, Texas, is one of the only five US refineries with a capacity of more than 500,000 barrels a day.
Reports indicate that a fire occurred at the ExxonMobil refinery around 2 a.m. ET on December 23, 2021. According to a refinery manager, the blaze erupted in a unit that produces gasoline. Residents in the area reported a loud explosion that shook their windows. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire shortly after 9 a.m. At least four people were injured in the explosion. Three workers were taken for treatment by helicopter and one by ambulance. The explosion caused flash burn injuries and broken bones, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office reported.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, the Baytown refinery has an average daily capacity of 561,000 barrels of oil. This makes it the fourth-largest US refinery, only 8% smaller than the largest, the Motiva Enterprises facility in Port Arthur, Texas. Despite the disruption, the chief oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service, indicated gas prices likely will not increase in early 2022, as it is historically the period of lowest demand for gasoline nationwide. However, by spring, demand for gasoline may increase and the loss of output from Baytown may be felt nationwide.
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries from an oil refinery explosion, contact a Hilliard Law personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys have years of experience helping those who have been injured in oilfield accidents.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/23/us/exxon-refinery-baytown-texas/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/23/us/exxon-mobil-fire-baytown-texas.html