Texas Oil Refinery Explosion Forces Complete Shutdown, Shelter Orders Issued

Valero Energy Corporation completely shut down its massive Port Arthur, Texas oil refinery Monday night after an explosion and fire erupted in a diesel processing unit. The blast was so powerful it could be heard 11 miles away, prompting emergency officials to order nearby residents to shelter in place.

A major oil refinery in Texas has been forced to cease all operations after a powerful explosion and subsequent fire broke out Monday evening, according to industry sources familiar with the situation.

Valero Energy Corporation made the decision to completely shut down its Port Arthur facility, which processes 380,000 barrels of oil daily, following the blast that occurred in a diesel processing unit around 7:30 p.m. Central Time.

The explosion originated in what’s known as a diesel hydrotreater unit, which has the capacity to handle 47,000 barrels per day. This equipment uses hydrogen gas to strip sulfur from motor fuels during manufacturing to meet federal environmental standards.

Sources close to the facility reported that the explosion was so intense it could be detected from distances of up to 11 miles. What triggered the blast remains unknown at this time.

In a statement provided to Reuters via email, Valero acknowledged the fire incident at their Port Arthur location and confirmed that “all personnel had been accounted for.”

Local emergency management authorities in Port Arthur immediately implemented a shelter-in-place directive “to ensure the safety of all residents in the vicinity in light of the recent explosion at the Valero refinery.”

The complete facility shutdown became necessary to help control the blaze, which was still burning intensely nearly five hours after the initial explosion, sources indicated. Fire suppression efforts were complicated when the refinery lost both its water supply and steam systems while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.

Valero further stated that the company’s “emergency response team is responding and coordinating with local authorities … (and) as a precaution, Jefferson County officials have closed State Highways 82 and 87.”

The Port Arthur refinery serves as Valero’s largest processing facility and sits approximately 86 miles east of Houston.