Storm-ready: refining and petrochemical industries prepare for hurricane season

Safety isn’t just a priority; it’s a year-round commitment for these industries. But how do they ensure resilience in the face of extreme weather? By building on lessons from the past and continuously improving emergency preparedness plans to protect facilities and the communities they’re a part of.

Planning for the future

When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit communities twenty years ago, almost 25% of total US refining capacity was impacted. It took more than 90 days for some facilities to resume operations at pre-storm levels.

However, improved risk management procedures have significantly reduced downtime in subsequent storms. In 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike disrupted 49% of PADD 3 refining capacity, but operations returned to pre-storm levels in less than 60 days. Then, in 2017, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma impacted 63% of PADD 3 refining capacity. Facilities returned to normal operations in just a month.

Industries have made great strides in strengthening their preparedness and recovery plans for future hurricane seasons. Companies share their experiences and insights with industry peers while also collaborating with government agencies and local first responders. These plans set procedures across several areas, including recovery operations, startup/shutdown events, emergency management teams, facility security, logistics, communications, personnel support and government and community relations.

To further enhance resilience, sites have also built and upgraded technologies and equipment in anticipation of future weather events, including more compressors, pumps, raised or hardened refinery control rooms, raised electrical equipment and power supplies. Additionally, on-site containment facilities have been expanded to prevent materials from escaping into the environment. Drones, or unmanned aircraft systems, are also used at facilities to identify and mitigate risks, and reduce human exposure to hazardous environments, after a severe weather event.

Helping the workforce and communities

The safety and well-being of the workforce is a top priority for refiners and petrochemical manufacturers, and members also invest heavily in their communities in times of crisis. The member companies contribute millions of dollars to humanitarian organisations like the Red Cross, but their support goes beyond financial aid. Many establish crisis centres to support their employees and communities, and their workforce steps up – volunteering time and resources to help their neighbours recover and rebuild after a storm.

Member companies have provided a range of support, including:

• Collaborating with FEMA and other government agencies.
• Pumping floodwater from neighborhoods.
• Arranging short- and long-term housing for employees.
• Helping with medical expenses.
• Leveraging company engineers to help city officials restore tap water to homes.
• Securing rental vehicles for employees who lost or damaged theirs.
• Deploying company maintenance crews to assist employees with clean-up and repair of their homes.
• Delivering convoys of supplies to affected areas.

Access to liquid fuels and petrochemicals means access to energy and everyday products that make our lives better. The facilities play a critical role in safeguarding these resources, working proactively to prepare for severe weather events. Through close collaboration with agencies, first responders and local communities, they help to protect lives and ensure the resilience of our supply chains.

By AFPM Communications. The original article can be found here.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/28052025/storm-ready-refining-and-petrochemical-industries-prepare-for-hurricane-season/