Operations At 3 Refineries Interrupted As Strike Continues To Cause Havoc

Oil Pro ^ | 2/12/2015 | Jeff Reed

[thackney]

Three of the nine US oil refineries targeted by the largest oil worker refinery strike since 1980 have reported interruptions and unplanned repairs since the United Steelworkers Union (USW) workers went on strike earlier this month.

Shell's 327,000 bpd refinery in Deer Park, Texas, is now operating normally after experiencing an upset at a fluid catalytic cracker on February 8. "Shell Deer Park continues to safely operate at planned production rates. While not formally at the negotiating table, the lines of communication remain open. Shell remains hopeful that both parties will reach a mutually satisfactory agreement," Shell said in a statement Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, Tesoro's 251,000 bpd Carson refinery near Los Angeles executed unplanned repairs following a unit breakdown. Reports indicate that the Tesoro facility is now operating normally. And Marathon Petroleum's 451,000 bpd Galveston Bay plant in Texas leaked diesel from an ultracracker on February 4. The Marathon facility is the largest of the refineries on strike by capacity.

Thus the total list of affected facilities is now at 11:

LyondellBasell in Houston, TX;

Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, TX;

Marathon Houston Green Cogeneration facility, Texas City, TX;

Marathon Refinery, Catlettsburg, Ky;

Shell Deer Park Refinery, Deer Park, TX;

Shell Deer Park Chemical Plant, Deer Park, TX;

Tesoro Anacortes Refinery, Anacortes, Wash.;

Tesoro Martinez Refinery, Martinez, Calif. (shutdown on Monday);

Tesoro Carson Refinery, Carson, Calif.

BP Whiting Refinery, Indiana

BP Toledo Refinery, Ohio

Since February 1, USW members have walked out of nine US refineries together representing approximately 13% of the US’s processing capacity. One of the refineries impacted has halted production. A full strike of USW workers would threaten to disrupt 64% of fuel output in the US.

USW members at BP's 135,000 bpd Toledo and 405,000 bpd Whiting refineries joined the strike over the weekend. Talks between the union and Shell failed to produce an agreement on Tuesday, Lynne Hancock, USW spokesperson, informed Oilpro via email.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Unions always destroy themselves : )

[vpintheak]

Here we go...
Thug unions demond 5% raise every year for th enext 20 years, and free health care, and 120% retirement with 5% COLA every year in retirement. That, or you hate working people and the middle class.

[TexasCajun]

Just had a walk-in job seeker, chatted a bit, then she told me her fiancee was on strike, those oil companies make billions. ...right!

File her resume in the round container next to my desk.

[knarf]

Should I spend time wondering what an "unplanned repair" might be ?

Missing "W" keys from the keyboards ?

[SuperLuminal]

Clearly, to me at least, is that this strike, coming at a time of low pump prices, is an WH-organized event to get the prices back to the levels that our beloved emperor has publicly stated that he thinks is fair...About $5 per gallon...

Also, the 2016 campaign for either Warren or obamsky (if he decides he wants a 3rd term) will use the fact that the extremist GOP in control of congress was directly responsible for the $5 pump price...

[publius911]

Union thugs at work.
Do not disturb!