Fire Breaks Out At Chinese Oil Refinery

China National Offshore Oil Company’s Huizhou refinery has shut down its 800,000 tonne-per year aromatics unit after a fire ignited on Monday morning.  There are no causalities of the incident.

A spokesman with the administrative committee of the Dayawan Economic and Technical Development Zone commented that an explosion was reported at the Huizhou refinery at 4:10am near the Daya Bay in the Guangdong province.  According to officials, the fire was due to a leak at a pump and was brought under control by 9:00am, leaving no casualties.  CNOOC added that the crude unit is operating normal for now, with other facilities operating below capacities. 

Flames from the explosion roared 100 meters tall after the oil leaked, said the spokesman and witnesses.  Forty fire engines responded to explosion, with no apparent toxic spills in the area or additional fires thanks to the on-site Huizhou crew cutting off all upstream and downstream equipment connecting to the refining affected machinery.

Residents reported to Cable TV that they heard two explosions and were evacuated from the surrounding areas. 

CNOOC’s refinery crude unit has a capacity of 240,000 barrels per day.  The refinery is about 40 km from the Dayawan Nuclear Power Station.