What happened at BP Texas City?

The Texas City Refinery explosion occurred on March 23, 2005, when a vapor cloud of natural gas and petroleum was ignited and violently exploded at the ISOM isomerization process unit at BP’s Texas City refinery in Texas City, Texas, killing 15 workers, injuring 180 others and severely damaging the refinery.

How many people died in the BP Texas City explosion?

Fifteen workers
Accident Description At approximately 1:20 p.m. on March 23, 2005, a series of explosions occurred at the BP Texas City refinery during the restarting of a hydrocarbon isomerization unit. Fifteen workers were killed and 180 others were injured.

Why did the Texas City refinery explode?

It is one of the worst industrial disasters to date. The explosion was caused by the overfilling of the raffinate splitter tower and a blowdown drum releasing hot hydrocarbons. The resulting vapour cloud ignited, destroying the ISOM unit.

How much in fines did BP pay for the Texas City incident?

$50.6 million
BP has agreed to pay a record $50.6 million fine to the federal government for safety violations found by regulators last year at its troubled refinery in Texas City, Tex., where 15 workers died in a 2005 explosion.

What one of the 16 Pops was linked to what is considered to be the US’s largest chemical disaster?

The 1947 Texas City disaster was an industrial accident that occurred on April 16, 1947, in the Port of Texas City, Texas, United States, at Galveston Bay. It was the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history and one of history’s largest non-nuclear explosions.

Who owns the Texas City refinery?

Marathon Petroleum Corporation
BP has completed the previously announced sale of its Texas City, Texas refinery and a portion of its retail and logistics network in the Southeast U.S. to Marathon Petroleum Corporation for an estimated $2.4 billion.

What caused the explosion at Watson grinding?

HOUSTON – Monday marked two years since a deadly explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in West Houston. The explosion took place early in the morning on January 24th, 2020. According to investigators, the explosion was likely caused by a propylene leak.

How do you stop a refinery explosion?

How to Prevent Fires and Explosions

  1. Conduct a Hazard Analysis.
  2. Train Employees in Fire Safety.
  3. Practice Good Housekeeping.
  4. Establish a Fire Prevention Plan and Emergency Procedures.
  5. Inspect and Maintain Your Equipment and Facility.

What triggers an explosion?

What Causes Explosions? An explosion is a rapid expansion of gases. Many explosions occur when gases are exposed to a source of heat- such as fire, sparks, even static elec- tricity-or an increase in pressure. Explosions can also be caused by chemical reactions.