In recent years, several incidents have been reported in fuel storage areas or refineries in various countries. The causes of fires vary, as well as their consequences, but they have something in common: the difficulty in controlling the flames and the devastating damage they cause to the environment.
A look at these claims and the ways used to quell them reveals the complexity that this type of operation always entails.
The master’s thesis on fire protection in refineries, published by the Spaniard Enrique Gómez Delgado, in 2012, and available on the internet, together with press reports from AFP, BBC and EFE, reveals some important characteristics of these events.
Suncor Energy Inc., in Fort McMurray, 2005, Canada
The oil company Suncor Energy Inc., in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, experienced a major fire on the morning of January 4, 2005. The flames broke out in the fractionation tower that divides the hydrocarbon vapors into naphtha, kerosene and gas oil.
Three strategic sectors were equipped with technology to put out the flames. One had a car bomb that spewed 3,785 liters per minute in a 16-meter aerial jet; a four-wheeled monitor, also discharging 3,785 liters per minute; a Blitzfire floor monitor discharging 1,892 liters per minute; and a monitor elevated 23 meters that discharged 3,785 liters per minute.
Another sector had a car bomb that discharged 3,785 liters per minute in a 32 meter aerial jet, and a monitor cannon that also discharged 3,875 liters per minute, while two floor monitors discharged 2,838 liters per minute. The last sector had two four-wheel monitors that discharged water at 3,785 liters per minute, a floor monitor for 2,838 liters per minute, and an Ambassador Gun dispenser 7,570 liters per minute.
Buncefield Oil Storage Depot, 2005, England
On December 11, 2005, an explosion occurred at the Buncefield Oil Storage Depot in England.
Fortunately there were no human losses, but about 40 people were injured. The fire that occurred after the explosion affected some 20 tanks located in the area and burned for several days.
The water and foam used to put out the fire, along with some of the spilled fuel, reached the ground through drains and drainage wells, causing significant damage to the environment in the area.
Caribbean Petroleum Corporation, 2009, Puerto Rico
In October 2009, a fire at the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation (Capeco) oil refinery in Puerto Rico destroyed about 20 of the 40 fuel tanks at that facility.
The actions to achieve control lasted several days, until all the fuel was burned.
CRP Amuay, 2012, Venezuela
On August 25, the first alert was reported about the propane leak in storage block 23 of the CRP Amuay, in Venezuela, which caused PDVSA firefighters to act by cordoning off the area.
During the course of the event, nine tanks in the block 23 storage area were affected by the strong flames. The tragedy left more than 40 dead, dozens injured and hundreds of houses destroyed.
The authorities took four days to extinguish the flames, throwing foam at the mouths of the tanks.
YPF at Cerro Divisadero, 2014, Argentina
In March, a fire in two oil tanks caused the “total destruction” of a crude oil treatment plant belonging to the YPF company in Cerro Divisadero, in the town of Mendoza, Argentina, where 14 people were injured.
To put out the fire, “hydrant planes” were used to mitigate the smoke and high temperatures. Even so, it took more than a day to control the situation.