McKee Refinery
The McKee refinery is located in Sunray, Texas and is operated by the Valero Corporation. The plant originally opened in 1933, and has since grown tremendously. At its current daily operational capacity, the plant is able to produce up to 158,300 barrels of crude oil.
During the run of this facility, it has been faced with two major crisis events. The first was the presence of asbestos. Of course at the time, the asbestos was intentionally brought into the plant in the form of industrial products such as rubber gaskets and insulation materials. These items were found in most every oil refinery because of their ability to hold up under intense heat. As these products got older, they would develop a tendency to break apart, which would release particles of asbestos into the atmosphere that would then be inhaled by plant workers. Over time, it was discovered that this was extremely dangerous, and the inhalation could lead to respiratory problems and Mesothelioma, a life threatening type of cancer.
All of the asbestos products had to be removed from the site. This procedure was done by certified professionals, because the removal and disposal process can be extremely dangerous, and if it is not done properly it can lead to a more widespread exposure to this toxin.
February of 2007 was a very difficult month for the McKee refinery. A section of piping cracked, and allowed a small leak which ignited into a huge explosion and a following fire. Four people were injured during the blaze, and the plant had to be shut down for a two month period of time.
Investigations into the cause of the fire began immediately, and were headed up by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The agency stated that Valero was to blame for the fire, and that it should have been prevented. Had Valero kept up with standard maintenance and safety procedures, the danger would have been discovered before the fire ever occurred.
As a result, Valero was given a list of recommended updates and changes to make the facility safer. They also conducted their own tests and investigations to get a better understanding of what happened. Plant owners quickly sprang into action to update safety equipment and policies. The upgrades included remote controlled shut off valves, better monitoring equipment and stricter safety codes throughout the facility.
Last modified: December 09, 2009.
