24 killed in Venezuela refinery gas explosion
Source: Agencies |
August 26, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A LARGE gas explosion shook Venezuela's biggest refinery, the 645,000-barrels-per-day Amuay facility, in the early hours of yesterday, killing at least 24 people, authorities said.
Stella Lugo, the governor of Falcon state, said more than 80 other people had been injured, and that a 10-year-old child was among the dead.
The blast was caused by a gas leak and damaged the facility and nearby houses, Lugo said.
Based in the west of the South American OPEC nation, Amuay is part of the Paraguana Refining Center, one of the biggest refinery complexes in the world with a capacity of 955,000 barrels per day.
"There was a gas leak," Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez told state TV. "A cloud of gas exploded ... it was a significant explosion, there are appreciable damages to infrastructure and houses opposite."
But he said the oil company should be able to "restart operations in a maximum of two days."
Emergency workers were at the scene, where smoke and flames could be seen over the facility.
Lugo said the situation was under control several hours after the explosion at about 1am local time. "There's no risk of another explosion," she told state TV.
Amuay is operated by state-owned PDVSA which has struggled with repeated refinery problems in recent years, affecting its production figures and ability to fulfil ambitious expansion plans.
Power faults, accidents and stoppages for maintenance have hit deliveries from South America's biggest oil exporter.
Stella Lugo, the governor of Falcon state, said more than 80 other people had been injured, and that a 10-year-old child was among the dead.
The blast was caused by a gas leak and damaged the facility and nearby houses, Lugo said.
Based in the west of the South American OPEC nation, Amuay is part of the Paraguana Refining Center, one of the biggest refinery complexes in the world with a capacity of 955,000 barrels per day.
"There was a gas leak," Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez told state TV. "A cloud of gas exploded ... it was a significant explosion, there are appreciable damages to infrastructure and houses opposite."
But he said the oil company should be able to "restart operations in a maximum of two days."
Emergency workers were at the scene, where smoke and flames could be seen over the facility.
Lugo said the situation was under control several hours after the explosion at about 1am local time. "There's no risk of another explosion," she told state TV.
Amuay is operated by state-owned PDVSA which has struggled with repeated refinery problems in recent years, affecting its production figures and ability to fulfil ambitious expansion plans.
Power faults, accidents and stoppages for maintenance have hit deliveries from South America's biggest oil exporter.
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