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Posted on 03/24/2026 8:59:38 AM PDT by MarlonRando
The explosion comes amid a spike in gas prices driven by uncertainty over the global oil supply because of the Iran war.
The refinery has about 770 employees and can process about 435,000 barrels of oil per day, according to Valero's website. The plant refines heavy sour crude oil into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
Images and video posted online show a large plume of smoke and flames billowing out from the refinery. Some residents reported hearing a loud boom and seeing their windows shake.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
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Of course that can’t be Iran’s doing, right?
racist.
Hope it misses the house of Janis.
She’s dead but she will never be forgotten.
Isn’t heavy sour crude Venezuela oil?
wow you’ve got me there
I think so, hmm maybe they were bringing the unit back online after getting some feedstock by that diversion of the tankers carrying it to China to the US. Although my kneejerk reaction is enemy action too.
No drones seen? Some folks underestimate them. Do not!
Venezuela has long been one of the most important sources. Valero has historically been one of the largest U.S. refiners of Venezuelan heavy sour crude, and those barrels have again become an important part of Valero’s heavy crude feedstock in recent years. That is probably the closest thing to a primary source for Port Arthur. Recently, Venezuelan crude is again becoming a large share of the heavy crude diet for Valero refineries.
Canadian crude is another major source. Heavy Canadian oil sands blends are well suited to a refinery like Port Arthur because it has the cokers and other upgrading units needed to process dense, sulfur-rich crude economically.
Mexican Maya crude is a classic Gulf Coast heavy sour crude and has long been a standard feedstock for refineries in that region.
Middle Eastern heavy sour crude, including Saudi barrels, has also been part of the mix at times, although that is generally more opportunistic and depends on pricing, logistics, and market conditions.
Port Arthur is configured to process discounted heavy sour crude from multiple places. It can receive crude by ship, barge, pipeline, and rail, so Valero can shift among sources depending on sanctions, transport economics, and heavy-versus-light crude price spreads.
We know there are enemies of the US in Venezuela, Mexico, the Middle East and Canada, so take your pick!
I will withhold judgment on this event, but if it happens again it is no coincidence.
Prices are high enough this year; there was no reason for the traditional and customary springtime oil refinery fires.
Thanks.
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