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At least three incidents have been reported at the Valero Texas City refinery. In an August 2022 incident, a fire occurred and caused millions of dollars in property damage. Previously, in April 2018, an explosion and a fire were reported at the refinery. Also, in December 2009, a boiler explosion at the refinery killed one worker and caused two others to suffer injuries.
For those involved in oil refinery accidents and their families, remember, you have access to legal guidance and support. An experienced Texas City refinery accident attorney can help you recover compensatory damages from anyone who harmed you or a member of your family.
On August 19, 2022, at Valero’s Texas City refinery, approximately 4,000 lbs. of a hydrogen and hydrocarbon mixture was accidentally released into a firebox of a fired heater. This caused a fire, with estimated property damage totaling $10 million, according to a U.S. Chemical Safety Board incident summary.
The incident summary indicated that the likely cause of the fire was a ruptured fired heater tube. It also pointed out that if Valero had appropriate safeguards in place, the fire likely could have been avoided.
An explosion and fire took place at Valero’s Texas City refinery on April 19, 2018. The Texas City refinery explosion created a black plume of smoke over the city. It also caused buildings that were up to a mile away to shake.
No shelter-in-place order was issued due to the explosion and fire. On top of that, no injuries or fatalities were reported. However, observers in the area said they saw smoke that was visible several miles outside of Texas City.
An industrial boiler explosion occurred at Valero’s Texas City refinery on December 4, 2009. Instrument and electrical operator Tommy Mannis, 40, was killed in the explosion, according to the Houston Chronicle. Two other employees were injured during the incident.
The explosion happened as a work crew attempted to restart a boiler that went offline earlier in the day, the Chronicle reported. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials began investigating the incident the day after the blast.
Valero referred to the explosion as a boiler failure in the days following the incident, per Reuters. An attorney for one of the workers injured in the explosion told Reuters that the aforementioned boiler had a history of problems dating back to when it was installed in 2006.
Valero is an independent refiner and a Fortune 500 company, with headquarters in San Antonio. The company’s Texas City Refinery is based southeast of Houston on the Houston Ship Channel. Here, Valero processes crude oils into diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline.
If you get hurt in a refinery accident at Valero’s Texas City facility or elsewhere, you have the right to pursue compensation from any at-fault parties. Talk with an oil refinery accident lawyer in the aftermath of this incident. Your attorney can determine if you are eligible to file a claim or lawsuit. If so, they can help you achieve case results that match your expectations.