Valero Energy Corp has taken its Port Arthur refinery offline after an explosion and ensuing blaze at a diesel hydrotreating unit, people familiar with the plant operations said. The affected site processes about 380,000 barrels per day, and the damaged unit is a 47,000-bpd 243-diesel hydrotreater.
At this stage the origin of the blast is not known. The explosion was powerful enough that sources said it could be heard from as far away as 11 miles. In an emailed statement, Valero acknowledged a fire at a unit within its Port Arthur complex and said it had accounted for all personnel.
Diesel hydrotreaters remove sulfur from motor fuels through hydrogen treatment to meet U.S. environmental rules. The company and local sources said the refinery shutdown was a necessary step to bring the fire under control, with the blaze still active nearly five hours after the explosion, which occurred at roughly 7:30 p.m. CDT.
Firefighting crews faced operational challenges as the refinery lost its water supply and steam while they worked to extinguish the flames, according to the sources. Valero said its emergency response team was on the scene and coordinating with local authorities. As a precaution, Jefferson County officials closed State Highways 82 and 87.
City of Port Arthur emergency management officials issued an immediate shelter-in-place order for residents in the vicinity to ensure public safety following the explosion.
Valero’s Port Arthur refinery is the company’s largest facility and is located about 86 miles east of Houston. Local officials and the company continued emergency response efforts as the fire persisted into the night.
Context and operational notes
The company confirmed the unit-level fire and that all personnel were accounted for, while local authorities implemented protective measures for residents and closed nearby state highways. Sources emphasized the shutdown was intended to contain the incident and facilitate firefighting operations.
Details remain limited on the cause of the explosion and the duration required to fully extinguish the fire and restore refinery operations.