Safety
Reliability: Consider amended warranties for rotating equipment
If you have ever encountered a situation where an equipment manufacturer declined to offer warranties, allow us to share three case histories.
Prospective costs of the EPA’s proposed RMP chemical accident prevention requirements
On March 14, 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed revisions to its Risk Management Plan (RMP) facility safety program in the US Federal Register.
Review of the CSB report on the 2010 Tesoro refinery fire
On April 2, 2010, a catastrophic fire occurred within the naphtha hydrotreating unit in the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. The final CSB report, including recommendations, was issued in May 2014, more than four years after the incident that resulted in the tragic loss of seven lives. This work critically reviews the CSB analysis of this incident and several of its resulting recommendations.
No damage, injuries reported in Iran petrochemical fire
An explosion and fire in a naphtha storage tank at Iran's Bu Ali Sina petrochemical refinery has been extinguished. News reports claim that no personnel fatalities nor damage to the plant have been sustained.
Rompetrol to perform scheduled maintenance work at Petromidia Refinery
Rompetrol has begun scheduled maintenance at its Petromidia refinery and conducting an investigation into the August 22 explosion.
Sulfur tank explosion and fire at Tesoro Carson refinery
A fire erupted at Tesoro’s Carson refinery after a 1-ton sulfur tank exploded.
Iran detects malware in petrochemical plants
Iran has detected and removed malicious software from two of its petrochemical complexes after announcing last week it was investigating whether recent petrochemical fires were caused by cyber attacks.
Phillips 66 shuts gasoline-producing unit at Westlake refinery
Phillips 66 shut a gasoline-making reformer unit at its Westlake, Louisiana refinery earlier this month, and advanced planned work on the unit.
Total halts Grandpuits' fluid catalytic cracking unit for maintenance
French oil and gas company Total has shut down the fluid catalytic cracking unit at its 102 Mbpd Grandpuits refinery for maintenance.
Unit at Venezuela's Amuay refinery offline after leak
The catalytic cracker at Venezuela's largest refinery Amuay was offline on Tuesday after a problem with a valve.

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