Refinery accidents have shaped the way the oil and gas industry approaches safety. From Richmond to Texas City, each disaster has left behind a legacy of lessons, lawsuits, and regulatory changes. This article compares the 2012 Richmond refinery explosion to four other major US refinery disasters, highlighting what went wrong and what changed afterward.
1. Chevron Richmond Refinery Explosion (2012)
On August 6, 2012, a corroded pipeline at the Chevron Richmond refinery ruptured, releasing flammable vapor that ignited and caused a massive fire. The explosion sent thick black smoke over the Bay Area and led to thousands of residents seeking medical attention.
Investigations revealed that Chevron had ignored warnings about pipeline corrosion for over a decade. Despite repeated recommendations to inspect and replace the aging pipe, the company failed to act. The incident exposed serious gaps in both corporate safety culture and regulatory oversight.
The regulatory regime in which the refinery worked allowed this to happen.
The Richmond explosion became a national symbol of the risks posed by aging infrastructure and lack of investment in safety upgrades.
2. BP Texas City Refinery Explosion (2005)
On March 23, 2005, a massive explosion at the BP Texas City refinery killed 15 workers and injured over 170. The cause was a release of flammable vapor during the startup of a hydrocarbon isomerization unit.
Investigations found that BP had neglected maintenance and ignored warning signs for years. The company’s cost-cutting measures and poor safety management were directly linked to the disaster.
The Texas City explosion led to sweeping changes in industry safety standards and prompted new regulations from OSHA and other agencies.
3. Tesoro Anacortes Refinery Explosion (2010)
On April 2, 2010, an explosion at the Tesoro Anacortes refinery in Washington killed seven workers. The accident occurred when a heat exchanger ruptured during a routine startup.
Investigators discovered that the heat exchanger had suffered from high-temperature hydrogen attack, a type of corrosion that weakens steel over time. Tesoro had failed to properly inspect and maintain the equipment.
The Anacortes disaster highlighted the dangers of aging equipment and the need for more rigorous inspection protocols.
4. ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery Explosion (2015)
On February 18, 2015, an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance refinery in California injured four workers and caused significant damage. The explosion was caused by a runaway chemical reaction in a catalytic cracking unit.
Investigations found that ExxonMobil had failed to implement proper safety controls and had not adequately trained workers on emergency procedures.
The Torrance explosion underscored the importance of process safety management and the need for better training and emergency response planning.
5. Husky Superior Refinery Explosion (2018)
On April 26, 2018, an explosion at the Husky Superior refinery in Wisconsin injured 12 workers and caused widespread damage. The explosion was caused by a release of flammable vapor from a corroded pipe.
Investigations revealed that Husky had failed to properly inspect and maintain the pipe, despite previous warnings about corrosion.
The Superior explosion reinforced the lessons from Richmond and other disasters: aging infrastructure and poor maintenance are a recipe for disaster.
Key Takeaways
- All five disasters involved aging infrastructure and poor maintenance.
- Each incident exposed gaps in corporate safety culture and regulatory oversight.
- Repeated warnings and recommendations were ignored in every case.
- These disasters led to changes in industry standards and regulations.
Video: Chevron Richmond Refinery Accident Animation
Video: Tesoro Anacortes Refinery Accident Animation