Valero Corp. is investigating a fire that broke out early morning Apr. 10 at its 135,000-b/d Meraux refinery in Chalmette, La.
The fire, which occurred around 12:45 a.m. local time, was contained to the immediate area, and no off-site impact is expected as a result of the incident, Valero said in an e-mailed statement.
Valero’s emergency response team currently is on the scene and working closely with the St. Bernard Parish fire department (SBPFD). The company said it also has contacted local authorities and is cooperating with appropriate agencies.
While one worker suffered an injury and was transported off site to a local hospital, information regarding the extent of the injury remains limited at this time, Valero said.
Reiterating its primary concern is for the safety of its workers and the community, the operator disclosed no further details regarding the current status of operations at the refinery or the specific units impacted as a result of the incident.
Local media reports have cited SBPFD as stating that the early morning fire followed an explosion at one of the refining units, but details regarding the alleged blast have yet to be confirmed.
Robert Brelsford | Downstream Editor
Robert Brelsford joined Oil & Gas Journal in October 2013 as downstream technology editor after 8 years as a crude oil price and news reporter on spot crude transactions at the US Gulf Coast, West Coast, Canadian, and Latin American markets. He holds a BA (2000) in English from Rice University and an MS (2003) in education and social policy from Northwestern University.
