US downstream update: late June 2012

Indiana

A sulfur recovery unit (SRU) has returned to normal operation at BP's 405 000 bpd Whiting refinery, according to sources familiar with refinery operations. The SRU was operating at reduced capacity following a fire at the refinery last week. The blaze lasted roughly an hour but caused no lasting damage.

Louisiana

ExxonMobil Corp reported a leak in a supply line on the T1 tower at its 502 000 bpd refinery in Baton Rouge on June 25. The leak led to a release of benzene, according to a filing with the US National Response Center. The line was isolated to stop the leak and the leak should be secured within an hour, the filing said.

Pennsylvania

Sunoco Inc. has shut down equipment at its 355 000 bpd Philadelphia refinery. A vacuum tower associated with a crude unit was shut on June 20, according to a filing with city regulators.

Texas

Valero Energy Corp.'s 142 000 bpd Corpus Christi refinery reported flaring in its east plant on June 23 due to equipment failure, according to a notice filed with the US National Response Center. Workers are attempting to repair the equipment. The failure released benzene and volatile organic compounds.

Edited from various sources by Joe Hester

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/26062012/usa_downstream_late_june_2012/