Huge explosion tears through major US oil refinery sparking ‘take shelter’ warning
A Texan oil refinery has exploded, rattling residents’ homes as they are urged to find shelter.
The Valero refinery in Port Arthur, which produces 380,0000 barrels of fuel per day, sent smoke billowing into the sky after it exploded yesterday evening.
The blast was heard as far as 11 miles away, and locals in the east Texas region on the Louisiana border have been urged to shelter-in-place.
Port Arthur emergency management officials wrote in an alert: ‘To ensure the safety of all residents in the vicinity and in light of the recent explosion at the Valero refinery, an immediate shelter in place is ordered.
‘Currently there is a fire in a unit at Valero’s Port Arthur, Texas refinery. All personnel have been accounted for.’
No injuries have been reported.
Valero said: ‘Currently, there is a fire in a unit at Valero’s Port Arthur, Texas refinery. All personnel have been accounted for. Valero’s emergency response team is responding and coordinating with local authorities.
‘As a precaution, Jefferson County officials have closed State Highways 82 and 87. As always, the safety of our workers is our top priority.’
This morning oil prices began to fall after costs surged following Trump’s Operation Epic Fury.
Oil deliveries have been significantly disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz and missiles are launched across the Middle East.
The US President said he would postpone threatened strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.
Which oil refineries have been destroyed?
A number of oil refineries have been destroyed as Iran launches retaliatory strikes across the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia – Ras Tanura oil refinery
Owned by Saudi Aramco, the facility was forced to halt operations and debris caused a small fire at the start of the month.
There was a second drone attack attempt against it but this was successfully intercepted.
Qatar – Ras Laffan Industrial City LNG facilities
Ras Laffan which belongs to QatarEnergy was also targeted in a drone strike.
The company was forced to suspend production, and led to the biggest hike in prices in three years in Asian markets.
UAE – Fujairah and Mussafah oil terminals
A fire broke out at Mussafah Fuel Terminal in Abu Dhabi after it was struck by a drone.
Oman – ports of Duqm and Salalah
Iranian drones struck fuel tanks and a tanker at the port of Duqm. At least one directly hit a fuel storage tank, causing an explosion.
A drone strike also hit the Port of Salalah, which handles fuel minerals.
Athe Nova – oil tanker
The Athe Nova, which is a Honduran-flagged tanker positioned off the coast of Khor Fakkan, UAW, was struck while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Several other tankers have since been hit, with Iran warning any ship attempting to pass would be ‘set ablaze’.
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