According to the ABC online there was a boiler explosion, staff were evacuated but the fire is now under control. Fire crews control oil refinery blaze - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Diana
Anyone near to the Caltex Refinary in Brisbane?
Just seen a large plume of smoke a people were reporting a loud bang?!?!?!
According to the ABC online there was a boiler explosion, staff were evacuated but the fire is now under control. Fire crews control oil refinery blaze - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Diana
Good to see no one was injured.
But does this mean fuel will be in short supply in Brisbane and prices will go up if the Catlex plant is shut down for any length of time?? It'll be interesting to see what happens.
how convenient, a refinery explosion just before christmas when fuel is at its lowest price for several years..........
Caltex are denying they had a major fire. But the refinery is shut down because of the loss of the steam system. See Caltex Australia says shuts 110,000 bpd refinery | Industries | Energy | Reuters
Steam is used for all sorts of purposes in refining. They also note that diesel production was already down to 50% due to an unrelated problem earlier in the week.
I suspect we may be seeing the effects of old refineries held together with sealing wax and string. (metaphorically speaking)
John
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
Not really a fan, although I do have his "Complete Works", and have read most of them. (I have not read the complete works of C.L.Dodgson - I am not really a mathematician)
I think we are seeing the results of a combination of high interest rates for thirty years (which make long term planning unviable) plus most shares being held by funds whose only interest is in the quarterly profit result, plus legal requirements for directors to act in the shareholder's interests. Refining has been a mug's game for many years, particularly in Australia - I was peripherally involved in the work that led to BHP deciding NOT to get involved in refining and marketing of petroleum products. Returns from refining and marketing are not worth investing money in. Although prior to the current financial meltdown it looked like a real worldwide shortage of refining capacity was developing. Not now though.
John
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
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