Gallup Refinery

The refinery in Gallup, New Mexico is owned by the Giant Refining Company, part of the independent Western Refining corporation. The faciilty is capable of producing up to 26,000 barrels of crude oil on a daily basis.

The Gallup Refinery suffered through a major catastrophe on April 8, 2004. Workers were taking a large pump that had been malfunctioning out of the plant, and in the process some flammable materials were released. This should not have been able to happen, but a valve which controlled the equipment was inadvertently left open, an unfortunate factor that no one had been aware of. As the flammable materials escaped, they were ignited, resulting in a large fireball explosion that seriously injured four employees.

Following an investigation that lasted for more than a year, it was determined that the shut off valve that was thought to be closed had been modified. The workers who were attempting to remove the pump were not aware of this modification, and to them the valve appeared to be in the off position. When they started the process, the pump did not have any operating pressure, but it was actually just blocked up. As soon as the blockage was overcome, the flammable substance known as alkylate was released, and ignited.

Although the fire was a major incident, it did not shut down the Gallup Refinery. It is still in operation today and continues to thrive. The refinery also survived another serious issue that caused a major setback: asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that is composed of thousands of tiny fibers. Years ago it was used in many industrial products, such as gaskets and insulation. The reason it was used in oil refineries was that it has a very strong resistance to heat, and plants produce massive amounts of heat during the refining process. Although the products made from asbestos were able to endure the temperature, over time they would crack and break apart. When this happens, the tiny fibers would be released into the air.

Plant workers could then unknowingly inhale the fibers, or have them attached to clothing and therefore be transported to locations all over the city of Gallup and beyond. At some point the fibers might detach, and float freely where they might be breathed in by anyone. Anytime asbestos is inhaled, it can cause serious damage to the victim internally, most notably in the respiratory system. It can also cause a form of cancer called mesothelioma, and that can be deadly.

People who worked in and around the Gallup Refinery should be checked out for their doctor at their earliest convenience. The effects of asbestos exposure can take years to become noticeable, so the sooner any of these health related issues are discovered, the better.

Last modified: December 09 2009.