Fire at Wynnewood refinery in Oklahoma now only minor: company

Sydney (Platts)--14May2006

A fire in the alkylation unit at Wynnewood Refining's 55,000 b/d refinery
in the US state of Oklahoma "is now only minor," the company said in a
statement late Sunday.
"The alkylation unit will be out of operation for an undetermined time
period," Wynnewood said. "All other refinery units continue to operate at
reduced volumes."
The fire began at 2:30 pm local time on Friday after an explosion in the
alkylation unit, which takes butanes from the fluid catalytic cracking unit
and turns it into high octane low sulfur gasoline blendstocks. The causes of
the explosion have not yet been identified but comprehensive investigations
have begun, the company said.
Late on Saturday, quick-setting concrete was introduced into the flare
line which was believed to be the main source of fuel for the fire. The line
was purged and the fuel diverted to a flare. Some vapor from the line remains
on fire, fueled by downstream product, Wynnewood said.
Environmental Protection Agency staff had determined that there continued
to be no issues with air quality by midday Sunday, and left the site.
Wynnewood Refining is a wholly owned subsidiary of Denver-based
Gary-Williams Energy. The Oklahoma refinery produces gasoline, diesel fuel,
military jet fuel, solvents and asphalt.

 

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