Refining crude oil into usable products is a critical component of the global economy. However, it is an industry fraught with potential hazards.
When accidents occur at these massive facilities, the consequences can be catastrophic. Offshore injury victims can turn to experienced Houston oil rig injury lawyers at the Krist Law Firm.
Because half of the top ten largest oil refineries in the United States are in Texas, it’s vital to understand the potential risks and the importance of legal representation in case of injury.
Top 10 Largest Oil Refineries in the Country
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the top ten largest oil refineries in the U.S. include:
1. Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery
Located in Texas City, Texas, the Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery is the largest oil refinery in the United States, with a capacity of approximately 631,000 barrels per day (bpd). It processes a diverse slate of crude oils and produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products.
2. Motive Port Arthur Refinery
The Motiva Port Arthur Refinery, located in Port Arthur, Texas, has a refining capacity of 626,000 bpd. It can process various types of crude oil, including heavy, light, and sour grades.
3. ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery
The ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery, located in Beaumont, Texas, has a refining capacity of around 609,024 bpd. It processes vast quantities of crude oil to produce various refined products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals.
4. Marathon Garyville Refinery
The Marathon Garyville Refinery, situated in Garyville, Louisiana, has a capacity of about 597,000 bpd. It processes a wide range of crude oils and produces high-quality gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other products. It is equipped with advanced technology to maximize product yield, including hydrocracking and catalytic reforming units.
5. ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery
The ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery, located in Baytown, Texas, has a capacity of around 564,440 bpd. It is one of ExxonMobil’s key refining facilities globally and is highly integrated with ExxonMobil’s chemical plant, allowing for the efficient production of fuels and petrochemicals.
6. ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery
The ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has a capacity of approximately 522,500 bpd. Integrated with ExxonMobil’s chemical plant, it processes diverse crude oils and produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other products.
7. Citgo Lake Charles Refinery
Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the Citgo Lake Charles Refinery has a capacity of approximately 455,000 bpd. Its output includes crude oils, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other products, utilizing hydrocracking and catalytic reforming units.
8. BP Whiting Refinery
The BP Whiting Refinery, located in Whiting, Indiana, has a capacity of around 435,000 bpd. It handles heavy Canadian crude and produces gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, with advanced units for hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, and alkylation.
9. Marathon Los Angeles Refinery
Located in Carson, California, the Marathon Los Angeles Refinery has a capacity of around 365,000 bpd. It processes heavy and light crude oil and includes advanced units for hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, and alkylation.
10. Valero Port Arthur Refinery
The Valero Port Arthur Refinery, located in Port Arthur, Texas, is a significant asset within Valero Energy Corporation’s portfolio. With a refining capacity of approximately 360,000 bpd, it can process a variety of crude oils, including heavy and light grades, and produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals.
The Dangers of Refinery Work and Nearby Communities
Oil refineries are essential to modern society but also present significant risks to workers and surrounding communities. The complex processes involved in refining crude oil create a hazardous environment, leading to potential accidents, injuries, and long-term health issues.
Hazards for Refinery Workers
Refinery workers face a multitude of dangers, including:
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals: Facility workers face many occupational exposures in petroleum refining, including benzene, toluene, and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause respiratory problems, cancer, and other health issues.
- Fire and explosion risks: Handling flammable and explosive materials creates a constant risk of accidents, which can result in burns, injuries, and fatalities.
- Confined space hazards: Refinery workers often enter confined spaces, such as tanks and vessels, leading to oxygen deprivation, toxic gas exposure, or entrapment.
- Heavy equipment accidents: The operation of heavy machinery poses risks of crushing injuries, amputations, and fatalities.
Risks for Nearby Communities
Communities located near refineries are also at risk. Potential hazards include:
- Air pollution: Refineries emit various pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides, all which contribute to respiratory problems and other health issues.
- Water pollution: Accidental spills or leaks of hazardous substances can contaminate water sources, affecting human health and the environment.
- Fire and explosion risks: The potential for catastrophic accidents at refineries poses a significant threat to nearby residents and property.
- Economic impact: Refinery accidents can disrupt local economies, leading to job losses and property devaluation.
Refinery workers and nearby residents must take precautions and educate themselves about the potential risks. Seeking legal counsel from a Houston personal injury lawyer at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. helps you protect your rights when seeking compensation for damages.
Common Injuries in Oil Refinery Accidents
Refinery work is inherently dangerous, with workers exposed to various hazards that can lead to severe injuries. The most commonly occuring types of injuries include:
- Thermal and chemical burns
- Toxic gas and chemical exposure
- Smoke inhalation
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Crush injuries
- Electrical shock
- Respiratory diseases
- Cancer
- Reproductive health issues
If you or a loved one has been injured in a refinery accident, seeking legal counsel from our personal injury trial attorneys in Texas is crucial to protecting your rights and obtaining the compensation you deserve. In the event you have lost a family member to a refinery accident, our team can help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
Challenges of Proving Liability in Oil Refinery Cases
Proving liability in oil refinery cases can be complex for many reasons. Whether your case involves worker injuries, environmental damage, or public health impacts, you must navigate several challenges to establish liability effectively. Here are some of the key challenges:
- Complexity of refinery operations: Oil refineries are large, complex facilities with multiple interconnected systems and processes. Identifying potential points of failure requires specialized knowledge from skilled personal injury lawyers and expert testimony from professionals in the field.
- Multiple parties involved: Refinery operations typically involve various parties, and determining who is liable can be challenging.
- Regulatory and compliance issues: Proving liability may involve demonstrating whether the refinery adhered to regulations set by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
- Evidence collection and preservation: Collecting and preserving evidence in refinery cases can be challenging in explosions or fires. Additionally, the refinery may resist providing crucial documentation showing what happened.
- Scientific and technical data: Proving causation in refinery cases often involves chemical analysis, accident reconstruction, and environmental impact studies. Interpreting this data requires expertise and can be subject to conflicting opinions.
- Insurance and liability coverage: Refineries typically have extensive insurance coverage to handle potential liabilities. Insurance policies may have exclusions or limitations that affect the ability to recover damages.
- Long-term health and environmental impact: Proving causation for long-term health effects or environmental damage can be difficult. Plaintiffs must establish a clear connection between refinery operations and their injuries.
- Defenses and counterarguments: Defendants in refinery cases may argue the incident was unforeseeable, that they adhered to safety standards, or that other parties were responsible. Addressing these defenses requires thorough investigation and counterarguments to refute such claims.
- Public perception and media influence: In high-profile refinery cases, public perception and media coverage can influence the proceedings, affecting jury opinions and complicating our legal strategy.
- Legal and procedural complexities: Navigating refinery cases’ legal and procedural aspects can be complex, especially when dealing with multiple jurisdictions or specialized courts.
Proving liability in oil refinery cases involves addressing a range of complex issues. Overcoming these challenges requires a thorough understanding of the industry, access to expert testimony, and effective legal strategies. By addressing these issues comprehensively, we can work towards establishing liability and securing justice for you.
The Importance of Legal Representation
If an oil refinery accident has injured you or a loved one, it is crucial to seek legal counsel. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and pursue compensation for your losses.
- Complex legal issues: Refinery accidents often involve complex legal issues, including workers’ compensation, premises liability, and product liability.
- Expert witnesses: A successful personal injury case requires retaining experts to analyze the accident and determine liability.
- Insurance claims: Navigating the claims process can be challenging, and our Houston personal injury lawyers can help maximize your recovery.
- Seeking justice: Holding negligent parties accountable is crucial to preventing future accidents.
At The Krist Law Firm, P.C., our attorneys have proven case results, recovering millions for clients injured in refinery accidents. We understand your challenges and are committed to fighting for your rights.
Contact The Krist Law Firm, P.C. Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in an oil refinery accident in Texas, do not face the consequences alone. Contact our Houston offshore accident lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.