BP reports refinery fires in Germany, Spain

BP PLC said a crude distillation unit (CDU) caught fire Oct. 4 at the 88,528-b/cd Lingen refinery in northwest Germany, causing one person to be hospitalized. The fire was brought under control in about 30 min, and damage was contained to that unit, a BP spokesman in London said.
Oct. 6, 2011

BP PLC said a crude distillation unit (CDU) caught fire Oct. 4 at the 88,528-b/cd Lingen refinery in northwest Germany, causing one person to be hospitalized. The fire was brought under control in about 30 min, and damage was contained to that unit, a BP spokesman in London said.

The CDU that caught fire has been shut down, but the refinery has a second CDU that remains operating, BP said. The fire broke out while the unit was coming back after summer maintenance.

Separately, BP also reported an Oct. 2 fire at a reformer in its 104,500-b/cd Castellon refinery in Spain. No one was injured, and that blaze also was brought under control in about 30 min. Damage was contained to the reformer.

“Investigations are under way, and assessments of restoring the units are ongoing,” BP press officer Robert Wine said in an Oct. 6 e-mail to OGJ.

Wine also noted that there was no notable impact on supplies from either refinery, which are both still producing.

About the Author

Paula Dittrick

Senior Staff Writer

Paula Dittrick has covered oil and gas from Houston for more than 20 years. Starting in May 2007, she developed a health, safety, and environment beat for Oil & Gas Journal. Dittrick is familiar with the industry’s financial aspects. She also monitors issues associated with carbon sequestration and renewable energy.

Dittrick joined OGJ in February 2001. Previously, she worked for Dow Jones and United Press International. She began writing about oil and gas as UPI’s West Texas bureau chief during the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1974.

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