Valero refinery releases sulfur into air
Houston Business Journal / August 4, 2008
Valero Energy Corp. workers reported an incident at the companys Houston refinery Monday morning that resulted in the release of sulfur compounds.
The incident occurred at 7:10 a.m. involving a sulfur loading tank. Refinery officials notified the appropriate authorities and began emergency response procedures.
Four workers have been taken to the hospital for evaluation, Valero spokesman Bill Day says. Refinery units remain in production but at reduced rates. The Houston refinery, located on the Houston Ship Channel, can process up to 130,000 barrels of oil per day.
The cause of the sulfur release is not known and the incident remains under investigation.
The release has been contained and at this time we believe there is no further threat to the community, Day says.
San Antonio-based Valero (NYSE: VLO) is an oil refining and marketing company. It owns and operates 16 refineries throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.