By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 5 -- Coffeyville Resources LLC workers began returning to administrative offices and some warehouses on July 4 at the company's refinery and nitrogen fertilizer plant in flooded Coffeyville, Kan., where water is slowly receding. No spill estimates were available because refinery workers still cannot assess the damage until water further subsides.
The 100,000 b/cd refinery was shut down on June 30, and flood waters breached a Coffeyville levee on July 1. The flooding caused an oil spill from storage tanks. The spill was isolated and stopped, a refinery spokesman said (OGJ Online, July 3, 2007).
Oil spilled into the Verdigris River, flooded from several days of heavy rain. On July 3, the refinery was under 4-6 ft of water, emergency officials said.
Company executives are investigating the incident and working closely with city, state, and federal agencies. While some workers returned to work, most employees have been told to remain at home until contacted by supervisors.
"We will not resume operations at either facility until it can be done safely," said Jack Lipinski, chief executive officer of Coffeyville Resources. "Once we know the extent of the damage, we will have a better idea of when we might be able to restart the facilities."
Coffeyville Resources' crude oil gathering system in Oklahoma and western Kansas remains fully operational, and crude oil disbursements are being handled in a timely manner. Company officials said they are managing crude supplies through a combination of time trades, storage, and resale.