HSE Statement

Taken from HSE website 30 August 2011

Explosion and Fire: Chevron Pembroke Refinery, 2 June 2011
Reminder of the Risks and Precautions Associated with Tank Cleaning Operations

by Ron De Cort. Head of Operations, Wales and West of England, Hazardous Installations Directorate, HSE

Following the incident at the Chevron Pembroke Refinery on 2nd June HSE, on behalf of the COMAH Competent Authority, would like to remind site operators of the dangers associated with this type of operation and of the guidance available to ensure the work is undertaken safety.

Tank cleaning operations were in progress within the amine recovery unit at the refinery site when there was an explosion and subsequent fire. The incident led to the death of four people and serious injuries were sustained by another person. The joint police and COMAH Competent Authority investigation team is working to establish the cause of the incident.

The risks associated with tank cleaning are widely recognised in the major hazard industries and there are well established control measures. These are outlined in:

Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, L137, HSE.
Guidance on permit-to-work systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical and allied industries, HS(G)250, HSE, and
Code of Safe Practice Part 16 - Tank Cleaning Safety Code.Energy Institute, 20085

Site operators should review their arrangements for cleaning tanks that contain hazardous substances and ensure that they meet current good practice.
Notes

The refinery is a top tier establishment under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (as amended). The Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are jointly responsible (as the Competent Authority) for regulating major hazardous industrial sites in the UK under the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999 (COMAH).

COMAH requires operators of major hazard sites subject to the Regulations to take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences to persons and the environment. Operators of top tier COMAH sites are also required to submit written safety reports to the Competent Authority; and to prepare emergency plans to deal with the consequences of a major accident. Operators and others (including contractors, designers and suppliers) also have relevant duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and under other environmental legislation to protect land, air and water, including the Water Resources Act 1991.

The incident occurred on Thursday 2 June and is under investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and HSE. The Police currently have primacy in accordance with the Work Related Deaths Protocol.

Pembroke Chevron oil refinery blast victim's son speaks

BBC Website 5 August 2011

The son of one of four people killed in the Chevron refinery explosion in Pembrokeshire has told how he could also have been a victim of the blast.

He said his father was working overtime on the evening he was killed.

"They wanted the tank cleaned by the next morning. It was just routine, a routine clearance of the tank.

The family texted and rang Mr Riley as soon as the alert was declared but there no answer.

In the early hours of the following morning, Chevron rang to say Dennis Riley was among those missing, he said.

Mr Riley said he would remember his father as a devoted family man, who called round after work every evening to sit with his grandchildren.

Refinery blast investigation a long process

Tenby Observer 24 June 2011


Dyfed Powys Police together with the Health and Safety Executive continue their joint investigation into the incident at Chevron Refinery, Pembroke, on June 2., to establish the cause of the fatal explosion and fire.
Extensive examinations have been undertaken at the scene of the incident by forensic and technical experts with a view of establishing the chain of events that culminated in the explosion and fire where four people tragically lost their lives. The investigation is expected to take a number of months.

The investigation will be a thorough and meticulous process and the investigation team remain on site gathering evidence, interviewing and speaking to people who may be able to help the investigation.
Where there are lessons to be learnt by the industry relating to safety issues they will be shared at the appropriate time .

Specially trained officers from Dyfed Powys Police continue to support the families of the deceased and injured.

Detective Superintendent Simon Powell, who is leading the joint investigation team, said: “As our joint Police and HSE investigation continues into the explosion at Chevron on June 2, we are committed to finding out exactly what caused the explosion and why it happened.

“As part of the investigation we are using many forensic and technical experts to build a picture of what occurred and we are in the process of speaking to many witnesses.

“The families have asked that the media respect their privacy over the coming weeks and particularly during the funerals of their loved ones. They are grateful for the support they have received from the community and further afield, but now they wish to hold their funerals out of the glare of the media.”

Organisation urges safety following Chevron incident

Tank Storage magazine 17 June 2011


Hazardous Installations Directorate’s head of operations, Ron De Cort, has now released a reminder to all companies working in the field about the dangers of tank cleaning.

The memo urges workers to reacquaint themselves with the risks associated with tank cleaning and the established control measures. To do so, it recommends reading:

·         Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, L137, HSE.

·         Guidance on permit-to-work systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical and allied industries, HS(G)250, HSE, and

·         Code of Safe Practice Part 16 - Tank Cleaning Safety Code.Energy Institute, 2008

It also urges tank operators to make sure they review their arrangements for cleaning tanks that contain hazardous substances and make sure their practices are up-to-date.

Four Chevron workers identified by DNA - inquest

Wales Online 14 June 2011

INQUESTS into the deaths of four people killed in an explosion at the Chevron oil refinery in Pembrokeshire have been opened and adjourned.


Yesterday at Milford Haven Town Hall Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton was told the four who died were identified using DNA samples.

The full hearing is not expected to be held for some time and until a full inquiry into the accident has been completed.

 Dyfed-Powys Police coroner’s officer Jeremy Davies read out the names of the deceased and said that each was “formally identified by way of DNA”.

“As a result of that evidence I am now in a position where I can formally open the inquests of the four persons whose details have been provided to me,” he said.

“Those inquests are now formally opened but are to be adjourned until a date in due course pending further inquiries and investigations being carried out.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/14/four-chevron-workers-identified-by-dna-inquest-91466-28871983/#ixzz1PGdLqqbR

One week on

It has been a week now since the tragedy at the Pembroke refinery.

So far we know who died, how long it took to extinguish the fire and the size of the tank where the event started. However, whilst we know an investigation is ongoing I am a bit surprised that we do not know what material was stored in the tank, and the others in the vicinity including the road tanker.

Another thing that surprises and shocks me a little is that statements from Chevron are so well hidden on their website. Going to 'News' section and selecting either 'Press releases' or 'In the news' comes up with nothing. It is only if you 'Media resources' that you then get a link to 'updates' and then you get to Statements about the accident.  In face, I have looked several times and only just found this.

For the record the statements were as follows:

2 June 2011: Confirming four people have been killed on site
3 June 2011: Chevron is saddened. Plant remains fully operational
6 June 2011: Four minutes silence and book of condolences. More information about the incident and emergency response.

Inquest on Chevron blast victims

News Wales 10 June 2011

An inquest into the deaths of four people in an explosion at the Chevron Oil plant in Pembroke on June 2 will be opened at 10am on Monday 13th June 2011 at the Town Hall in Milford Haven.

Those who died were

JULIE JONES, aged 54, a mother of one and a grandmother of one, from Pembroke.

DENNIS RILEY, aged 52, a father of two and a grandfather, from Milford Haven

ROBERT BROOME, aged 48, a father of seven from Milford Haven

ANDREW JENKINS, aged 33, a father of young twins from Milford Haven

A man injured in the blast remains stable at Morriston Hospital.
The investigation to establish the cause of the explosion continues to progress.
DCI Martin Davies said, “We are working together with the Health and Safety Executive and forensic experts at the scene to establish the cause of this tragic incident.”
Family Liaison Officers continue to support the families of the deceased.

Chevron Pembroke explosion: Carwyn Jones visits site

BBC 9 June 2011 17:43

First Minister Carwyn Jones has visited the Chevron refinery in Pembrokeshire, a week after an explosion killed four workers.

He met emergency workers and staff and thanked them for their work in the aftermath of last Thursday's blast.
He also laid flowers at the site in memory of the four contractors who died in the blast.
Police say they are still working with experts at the scene to establish the cause.

Lessons from Chevron Pembroke explosion says Cameron

BBC 8 June 2011 14:45

David Cameron has said there will be lessons to be learned from a fatal explosion at a Pembrokeshire oil refinery.

The blast at Chevron in Pembroke was a "tragic incident", the prime minister said.

There were some "inherent risks" in the industry, but the company had a good safety record, he said.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, he added: "I am sure there will be lessons to learn but as you said it has had a good safety record and a good safety record in an industry in which there really are some inherent risks."

Refinery focuses on shocked workers as inquiry begins Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/07/refinery-focuses-on-shocked-workers-as-inquiry-begins-91466-28832272/#ixzz1OfK6IM5X

Wales Online 7 June 2011

THE Chevron refinery has begun investigating the blast which killed four people, the company has said.

A statement from Chevron said yesterday: “We know just how much this incident will impact everyone who is associated with the refinery across Pembrokeshire and beyond. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those that we have lost."

“Our focus over the coming days and weeks will be to work together to ensure that everyone on site receives the support they need from those around them.”

“It’s going to take a long time for clarity on what happened”

Dr Ivan Vince, a safety, health and environmental specialist at ASK Consultants said investigators would be looking at two types of causes.

The first part of the investigation is narrowing it down to exactly what happened and what were the immediate causes,” he said.

“Then the root cause investigation looks at the bigger picture like the safety management systems, the adequacy of the training and procedures in general or deeper, the status of the safety culture, the working environment in general.

“I have never come across a situation where there have not been lessons to be learnt. The problem is lessons are learnt but then forgotten when personnel change.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/07/refinery-focuses-on-shocked-workers-as-inquiry-begins-91466-28832272/#ixzz1OfKVy0d6

Chevron refinery blast: Inquiry to be 'lengthy'

BBC 6 June 2011 at 16:22

Chevron says the investigation into an explosion and fire at its Pembroke refinery will be a "lengthy process".

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns said finding the cause of a blast that killed four workers at the Chevron oil refinery is "crucial".

Mrs Burns also said she was "very uncomfortable" with some rumours circulating about what happened.
"I welcome the inquiry being conducted by Chevron and I know that the police, health and safety and the Environment Agency will be conducting inquiries of their own," she said.

 

Danny Fellows Pembrokeshire councillor

"What is crucial is that we understand exactly what happened, learn from and implement any lessons that we can and also ensure that those lessons are communicated to the wider sector so that we can have the best possible practice in all of the energy industries based on the Haven.

"This is the time for us to stand shoulder to shoulder with the families involved and with the staff and contractors at Chevron."

Mrs Burns praised the quick response of the emergency services and the staff at Chevron.

Dr Ivan Vince, a safety, health and environmental specialist at ASK Consultants told BBC Radio Wales that the investigators will look at two types of causes.

"The first part of the investigation is narrowing it down to exactly what happened and what were the immediate causes," he said.


"Then the route cause investigation looks at the bigger picture like the safety management systems, the adequacy of the training and procedures in general or deeper, the status of the safety culture, the working environment in general. 

Pembrokeshire councillor Danny Fellows has warned that the victims' families may have to wait to find out what happened.

"It's going to take a long time for clarity on what happened," he said.

"There will be Chevron's own inquiry and the Health and Safety Executive's inquiry tends to take long periods of time.

"I will not be surprised if it is over 12 months before we get closure as far as the Health and Safety Executive are concerned."

Pembroke Chevron oil refinery explosion victim tribute

BBC 5 June 2011 at 11:17

Tributes have been paid to a man among four people killed in the explosion at the Pembrokeshire Chevron oil refinery.

As investigations continue into the cause, they are all being remembered at local Sunday church services, with books of condolence available.

Julie Jones, 54, of Pembroke, and Dennis Riley, 52, Robert Broome, 48, and Andrew Jenkins, 33, all of Milford Haven, died in Thursday's tragedy.

Mr Riley's son Lee, 28, said everyone in the area "knew and loved him".

He had just celebrated becoming a grandfather for the second time.

All the victims had children or grown-up families. Ms Jones was a mother of one and grandmother, Mr Broome was a father-of-seven, while Mr Jenkins had young twins.

 

Lee Riley about his father Dennis

According to reports, Mr Riley's daughter-in-law gave birth to a baby boy a few weeks ago, while his daughter has a girl aged two.

His son said: "He was still celebrating having a grandson. He was the best granddad in the world as well as being the best father, the best husband and the best friend anyone could have.
"He'd do anything for anybody. Everyone around here knew and loved him."

Single spark

Daily Mail  4th June 2011 2:58 PM

"It is believed a single spark ignited gases in the tank engulfing them in a fireball that was seen for miles around."

The news article gives no indication of where this information has come from. May be speculation.

Pembroke Chevron oil refinery explosion victims named

BBC 4 June 2011 12:49

The four people killed in the explosion and fire at the Chevron oil refinery in Pembrokeshire have been named.

They were Julie Jones, 54, a fire guard from Pembroke, and three men from Milford Haven: Dennis Riley, 52, Robert Broome, 48, and Andrew Jenkins, 33.

The identity of the injured person has not been released at the request of relatives.

Recovery team removing blaze bodies

Wales Online 4 June 2011

Specialist police teams have begun recovering the bodies of four workers killed in the Chevron oil refinery blast, while one of their injured colleagues remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Dyfed Powys Police said the removal of the corpses would be "a slow and methodical process" due to the nature of the incident, which has been described by officials as a "tragic industrial accident".

Sources said that three of those who died were male painters while the fourth was a woman on fire-watch duties. The worker who survived the blast is being treated for severe burns at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Chief Superintendent Dean Richards, from Dyfed Powys Police, said that specialist police teams began recovering the bodies of those killed on Friday afternoon. A Home Office pathologist was sent to the scene and the Pembrokeshire Coroner has been informed.

Chevron flies in experts for Pembroke refinery inquiry

BBC 3 June 2011 21:55

The owners of a Pembrokeshire oil refinery are flying in experts from the US to help investigate the cause of an explosion which killed four people.

An industry expert says the investigation will be followed by oil companies around the world.

Chevron said the explosion happened during routine maintenance of one of its storage tanks.

"They will be desperate to find out what caused this incident."

He did not believe there was anything similar to this tragedy in the industry worldwide.

"The rest of the oil refinery industry are extremely interested in what happened here and [will ask if there are] lessons to be learned."

Daniel O'Connell, a stockbroker and energy analyst at Redmayne-Bentley in Newport, told BBC Wales he still expected the deal to proceed.

"I can understand why this awful event will cause some worry but I really can't see how it will stop the sale," he said.

"The Pembroke oil refinery has a superb safety record and is a very good business.
"From our perspective here in Wales it's devastation. But on a broader scale the global players - it sounds horrible - but they almost expect some of these things to happen from time to time.
"We all know that the oil industry is a very dangerous game."

Pembroke Chevron refinery blast: Inquiry after four die

HazardEx 3 June 2011

Greg Hanggi, refinery general manager, said: "The loss of our co-workers has come as a huge shock to us all. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to their families. We will ensure that all employees and contractors are fully supported throughout this difficult time."

He added that Chevron would take every step possible to determine the series of events leading to the tragic incident and ensure that any lessons learnt from it would be learned. Mr Hanggi also paid tribute to the emergency services who attended

There have been previous incidents at the refinery.

In June 2001 a fire was caused by a hydrogen leak, with smoke seen by eyewitnesses rising hundreds of feet into the air. No-one was injured.

In March 2003 there was a fire in a specialist catalytic cracking unit, and in September that year two people were taken to hospital after fire in a steam plant.

However Simon Hart, Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, praised the plant's safety record.

"It's a really important business but it is a dangerous one and it's had a fantastic safety record," he said.

"Credit where credit's due, it's had a long a good record.

"I don't think we should go around dishing out blame until the investigation is over."

Deadly Oil Explosion 'Was Tragic Accident'

Sky News  June 03, 2011 8:41pm

Police investigating an oil refinery explosion that killed four maintenance workers have described it as a "tragic industrial accident".

"Early indications suggest the blast took place in a vast storage tank as maintenance work was being carried out at the Chevron Refinery in Pembrokeshire last night.

Investigation begins after four people killed in explosion at oil refinery in Pembroke

Wales Online 03 June 2011


An investigation has begun into a massive explosion at a Welsh oil refinery last night that killed four people.

Witnesses reported hearing a blast from the Chevron refinery in Rhoscrowther, near Pembroke, on Thursday evening.

Paramedics have confirmed that four people lost their lives as a result of the incident.

Police officers are in the processes of informing the next of kin and will support the families throughout this difficult time.

Police officers have secured the scene and colleagues from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue are working to make the site safe to enable a multi agency investigation into the cause of the explosion to commence.

A police investigation is now underway, with the Health and Safety Executive, and early indications show that this was a tragic industrial incident.


Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene after the blast at 6.22pm and police and council officials put up roadblocks to prevent drivers from getting within two miles of the plant.
Members of the public were reassured that there was no risk to their health from any material released into the atmosphere.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies said: “Crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue assisted the onsite Chevron fire personnel throughout the operation. The fire itself was extinguished quickly and the crews worked to make the scene safe for Police to start their investigation.

“We can confirm that any material released into the atmosphere as a result of the blast were immediately dispersed. The wind was blowing off shore, away from residential areas. Members of the public can be reassured that there is no ongoing risk to health as a result of the incident.”

Five fire appliances were mobilised immediately, two from Pembroke Dock; two from Milford Haven and one from Tenby.

Specialist fire appliances were also mobilised including two foam vehicles, a chemical incident unit, a high volume pump from Pembroke Dock, environment unit from Pembroke Dock and a control unit from Carmarthen.

Witnesses reported hearing a blast from several miles away and seeing a plume of black smoke rising above the plant.

Officials said reports that two tankers had collided at the plant to spark the explosion were false.

Villagers in nearby Angle and beyond said they were shocked by a bang and the sweeping expanse of thick, black smoke.

Marcus Lutwyche, owner of the Angle village shop said he had heard a massive bang and at first thought his shop was being broken into. He said: “I went running to the back there. “Then I ran to the front and saw a huge plume of smoke. It was black and filled the sky. It must have been 50 or so metres wide. “There were lots of people outside staring at the sky. We thought it had something to do with a jet at first and some people thought it might have been guns at Castle Martin – they have been firing at the range a lot recently.”

His wife, Joanne Lutwyche, said: “It is incredible – we are concerned that a couple of people have been killed. “Quite a few people in the village work at Chevron and would have been changing shifts when the explosion happened, so everyone’s really concerned for who might be involved.

Jeff Adams, a member of the Angle Boat Society, was about to take his boat out with his wife and two grandchildren when the family heard a huge explosion. “We are quite used to hearing loud bangs round these parts but this was something extraordinary. “There was a tremendous thud and when we looked up the sky was filled with a huge black cloud. “It was terrifying and we knew immediately that something was wrong.
“Later, we saw a helicopter going into the Chevron plant and then wondered if that was an air ambulance.”

Pearl Llewellyn, county councillor for Pembroke Monkton, said she was in a meeting with other councillors when they heard emergency service vehicles heading towards the scene. “We guessed something big had happened and it wasn’t until we got home that we have seen it on the news.” Ms Llewellyn, who is also a member of the Texaco Liaison Committee, said: “We had a meeting a week ago where they were giving us reports on safety and how there were no accidents in several years and this is just absolutely awful for the area. “The last time we had an explosion was on a Sunday afternoon and everybody was watching but the whole area of Pembroke and the surrounding area will be absolutely gutted about this now.”

Liz Herbert, who lives on the other side of Milford Haven, said: “I was in the house and I could feel a shaking kind of thing – and I am on the other side of the water, so it is quite a way. I looked out of the window and could see black smoke, I went upstairs to get a better view and I could see flames. “The black smoke was unbelievable considering I’m so far away from it, and that was it we could hear all the sirens going.”

A spokeswoman for Morriston Hospital said: “Following notification of the incident at Milford Haven Refinery, Morriston Hospital launched its Major Incident Plan in preparation for receiving casualties. “One casualty, a male, has been received and admitted to the hospital.

“No information on his condition is currently available.

“At 8.20pm the Morriston Hospital Major Incident Plan was ‘stood down’ and at this time no further casualties are expected at Morriston.

"Anyone with minor injuries from the incident are expected to be treated at hospitals closer to the scene.”

Pembroke Chevron refinery blast: Inquiry after four die

BBC 3 June 2011 at 17:47

An investigation is under way after four contractors were killed in an explosion and fire at a Pembrokeshire oil refinery.  The family of one victim have confirmed to the BBC that she was Julie Jones, a 55-year-old fire guard. Another worker is critically ill but stable with burns after Thursday's blast at Chevron's Pembroke plant. All those killed and injured were from Pembrokeshire, and specialist teams are recovering the bodies.
Dyfed-Powys Police said that would be a "slow and methodical process".

Chevron said the explosion happened during routine maintenance of one of its 730 cubic metre storage tanks at 1820 BST on Thursday. Non-essential work was suspended on Friday.

Chevron said it had launched its own investigation, alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with one storage tank destroyed and another damaged in the incident.

Production was able to continue but the company had decided to suspend all non-essential work on Friday.
A spokeswoman said Chevron was a "close family" and counselling was being offered to the 1,400-strong workforce.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the bodies would remain at the scene and identification would be protracted because of the severity of the accident.  Their recovery is being made more difficulty by the unstable nature of the building.

Chief Supt Dean Richards said: "Early indications suggest that this is a tragic industrial incident.
"Sadly four people have lost their lives, and a fifth person remains in hospital, critically ill.
"We are not currently in a position to release the names of the victims, as they have not yet been formally identified, and this process may take some time."
Five Mid and West Wales fire crews had joined the refinery's own fire fighters in tackling the blaze, while specialist fire units, including foam vehicles and a chemical incident unit were sent to the scene.

The tank at the centre of the incident contained a component which refiners "routinely used," said a Chevron spokeswoman. It had been left "out of action," while another tank was damaged.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies said there was no ongoing risk to health to members of the public as a result of the incident.

"We can confirm that any material released into the atmosphere as a result of the blast was immediately dispersed. The wind was blowing off shore, away from residential areas," he said.

The Health and Safety Executive said it was too early speculate about the cause of the blast.

Milford Haven coastguards reported a "blast large enough to shake the windows" with "black smoke in the air" shortly after 1820 BST.

The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent 10 engines to the scene and brought the incident under control within an hour and a half.

Wales Air Ambulance said a man had been airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea with severe burns.

Wales refinery explosion inquiry gets under way

The Guardian 3 June 2011 14.17 BST

Safety experts have sealed off smoke-blackened sections of the Chevron refinery at Pembroke Dock, south-west Wales, where four workers have died in a huge explosion.

Three male painting contractors and a female fire-watch officer are believed to have died when a large storage tank blew up, rocking local houses and sending a plume of black smoke into the sky on Thursday evening. A fifth worker was seriously injured.

The Health and Safety Executive has taken charge of the section of the large complex, which has a good safety record but is at constant risk of serious accidents. Dyfed Powys police are also investigating as well as informing relatives of the victims.

Wales oil refinery 'was time-bomb waiting to go off'

The Telegraph  03 June 2011 1:52PM BST


'At a refinery you are working within a time-bomb and at any time something can go wrong,'' said Tony Spicer, 75, of Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock.

The pensioner, a former welder at the refinery when it was owned by Texaco, added: ''It is inevitable that an accident would happen.

''I feel safe here in Pembroke Dock because the refinery is about four miles away as the crow flies.
''It is terrible when something like this happens. The lives of four people is a great loss. But this is not the first accident.

''I think that an accident and loss of life is inevitable from time to time. It's not always human error, it is just something that can happen.

''Although it is regrettable, I was not surprised.''

He said that while some people still oppose the siting of the decades-old refinery, most accept it also brings much-needed well-paid work.

''If the refinery finished tomorrow, a lot of people would be out of work and it would hit the local economy. Everyone from the milkman to shopkeepers would be affected.''

Others agreed with his hard-nosed assertion as they finished work today at the Alsthom power station being built nearby.

One man, from the south Wales valleys, who did not wish to be named, had travelled to the area and was in digs nearby.

He works for a contractor which has workers at both the power station project and the refinery.
''It is shocking to learn something like this had happened. I have not been here long myself. I couldn't find work where I live and moved down recently. But I've never worked somewhere where people have died before.

''It is terrible but it is always a potential risk working somewhere like this. You have to minimise the risk but accidents can always happen.''

Chevron launches inquiry into UK refinery blast

Reuters 3 June 2011 7:59am EDT


Concerns over refining safety have reverberated through the U.S. oil industry since an explosion at a BP refinery in Texas City in 2005, after which BP said safety shortcomings were common across the sector.

"We have immediately launched our own investigation which will run in tandem with the HSE's (Britain's Health and Safety Executive regulator) own investigation," a Chevron spokeswoman said in a statement read out at the plant.

"One storage tank is out of action and another is damaged but other than that the plant remains fully operational. However, given the circumstances, non-essential work has been suspended today."


"Tank maintenance is a regular occurrence and this was planned work involving members of our contractor workforce, routine work which had been carried out before.

"The tank contained a component which refiners routinely use in the refining process," the Chevron spokeswoman said.

According to the HSE's enforcement database, the Pembroke plant had received one enforcement notice in recent years.

This criticized the plant for "failure to demonstrate the company had identified safety instrumented systems," though the HSE noted the enforcement notice had been complied with.

Oil refinery blast: Chevron site has excellent safety record

The Telegraph 03 June 2011 11:11AM BST

The refinery, one of the largest in western Europe, and formerly known as Texaco, came on stream in 1964. It was later rebranded Chevron-Texaco and has been known as Chevron since 2005. 

There have been previous incidents at the refinery, which is one of the largest in western Europe and employs 1,400 people.

In June 2001 a fire was caused by a hydrogen leak, with smoke seen by eyewitnesses rising hundreds of feet into the air. No-one was injured.

In March 2003 there was a fire in a specialist catalytic cracking unit, and in September that year two people were taken to hospital after fire in a steam plant.

However, John Davies, leader of Pembrokeshire Council, praised the safety record. He said: “I have known it (the plant) all my life and this is first time as far as I am aware that a life has been lost in similar circumstances. It has an exceptional (safety) record.”

He added: “You have operators who have perpetuated safety procedures over decades. Chevron is well respected in the community.

“As a nation we are dependent on hydro carbons and sadly we hear of occasions where the ultimate price is paid and lives are lost. That happened last night.”

Chevron says Pembroke refinery fully operational

Reuters 3 June 2011 6:20am EDT


Oil major Chevron said on Friday that shift workers were at its UK Pembroke refinery and it remained fully operational following a fatal explosion at the site.

"The refinery remains fully operational and the shift staff are working," a spokeswoman for Chevron said.

CORRECTED - UPDATE 5-Chevron says four killed in UK refinery explosion

Reuters June 3, 2011 9:27am BST


(Deletes first bullet point noting earlier media report)

* Plant's safety record no worse than peers-HSE
* Plant due to be sold to Valero Energy
(Adds comment by Chevron spokeswoman)

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Four people were killed and one was seriously injured in an explosion at an oil refinery in southwest Wales, the plant's owner Chevron Corp (CVX.N) said on Friday.


Britain's Health & Safety Executive (HSE) regulator said it would be on site on Friday to begin an investigation in which the Environment Agency would also participate.

Concerns over refining safety have reverberated through the U.S. oil industry since an explosion at a BP refinery in Texas City in 2005, after which BP said safety shortcomings were common across the sector.
According to a HSE's enforcement database, the Pembroke plant had received one enforcement notice in recent years.

This criticised the plant for "failure to demonstrate the company had identified safety instrumented systems", though the HSE noted the enforcement notice had been complied with.
By comparison, four enforcement notices were issued to the Coryton refinery in southeast England, which was owned by BP before being sold to Swiss-based Petroplus Holdings AG PPHN.VX, and three notices were given to Exxon Mobil Corp's (XOM.N) Fawley refinery in southern England.

 

Four killed in Pembroke Chevron oil refinery blast

BBC 3 June 2011 Last updated at 07:08

Four people were killed in an explosion and fire at an oil refinery in west Wales, Dyfed Powys Police have said.
The blast happened at the Chevron refinery at Pembroke Dock on Thursday.

Ch Supt Gwyn Thomas said the explosion was in a 730 cubic metre storage tank where maintenance was being carried out. An adjacent tank was also damaged.
 

Four people killed in Wales oil refinery explosion

The Guardian Thursday 2 June 2011 20.47 BST

Four people have been killed in a major explosion at an oil refinery in south-west Wales. It is understood that two petrol tankers collided inside the Chevron plant in Pembroke Dock, Dyfed, on Thursday, killing both the drivers.
One of the tankers was completely destroyed in the explosion, according to Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service.
Chevron confirmed that the four people who died were contractors and said another worker was receiving treatment in hospital for serious injuries.

Chevron UK fire affects process tank, truck-fire dept

Reuters Africa June 2, 2011 8:31pm GMT

A fire at a Chevron oil refinery in south Wales on Thursday affected a process tank and a truck, the local fire service said.


A spokesman for the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told Reuters there had been a fire at a process tank at the Pembroke refinery and a fire and explosion involving a heavy-goods vehicle -- a term which could cover a truck or a tanker.

He had no further details about what had happened.

Two reported killed in Chevron UK refinery fire

Reuters Canada June 2, 2011 5:30pm EDT


Two people have reportedly been killed in a fire involving a process tank and a truck broke on Thursday at Chevron's oil refinery in southwest Wales.

The BBC said there were reports that two people had been killed in the fire and an explosion.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said there were casualties at the scene, but there was no official confirmation of any deaths.

The fire service said the fire at the 220,000 barrel per day Pembroke refinery, which sent a pall of black smoke into the air, had been put out.

A spokesman for the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told Reuters there had been a fire at a process tank at the refinery and a fire and explosion involving a heavy-goods vehicle -- a term which could cover a truck or a tanker.

He had no further details about what had happened.

"I was in the back garden and I just heard a large explosion, looked around and I could see a fireball rising up into the sky," local resident Phil Horne told the BBC, adding that smoke billowed out for between 30 and 45 minutes.

The fire service said it sent 10 emergency vehicles to the scene and the ambulance service said it responded with three ambulances and an air ambulance.

Chevron confirmed an "incident" had occurred at the refinery at 6:20 p.m. (1720 GMT) and that the fire had been extinguished, but gave no further details about it or about any injuries.

"Emergency services were called and responded immediately and remain on the scene. ... We are taking appropriate action to respond to the situation. We are still in the process of accounting for all personnel," Chevron said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for Britain's Health and Safety Executive, an independent watchdog for workplace safety issues, said the agency was aware of the incident and making initial enquiries.

Site History

Taken from the article in Wales Online on 3 June 2011

The Pembroke plant is one of Western Europe’s largest and most complex refineries, supplying around 1,100 Texaco-branded petrol stations in the UK alone.

Its owner Chevron is in the process of selling the plant to a Texan firm and the deal, which was agreed in March after a year of uncertainty, is awaiting regulatory approval.

The plant first opened in 1964 and was expanded in the early ‘80s to include a fluid catalytic cracking unit.
Regent Oil Company was the site’s first owner until the firm was bought out by the US oil giant Texaco, which itself was later bought by Chevron.

It is based in Rhoscrowther, 9km west of Pembroke, much of the site being cleared for the building of the nearby BP oil terminal and the refinery.

In March this year, Chevron announced it had struck a deal with Texan company Valero for $1.73bn (£1.08bn).
The deal was due to rubber-stamped later this year, subject to regulatory approval.

The site processes 220,000 barrels of crude oil each day. It specialises in processing heavy, lower-quality crudes.

News of the sale was welcomed after Valero vowed to retain the existing workforce. The plant employs 600 permanent staff, and 800 contract staff.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/03/four-dead-after-explosion-at-oil-refinery-in-pembroke-91466-28813103/3/#ixzz1OTngbZSl