How many Texas refineries are there and how large are they?
Texas is home to 26 operating refineries primarily located in the coastal areas of Texas. According to a state report in 2005, overall refinery capacity is approximately 4.3 million barrels of oil and gas per day, accounting for over 26 percent of total U.S. production.
According to the number of barrels per calendar day (bcd) produced, following are the top five refineries:
- ExxonMobil in Baytown producing 557,000 bcd;
- BP in Texas City producing 437,000 bcd;
- ExxonMobil in Beaumont producing 348,500 bcd;
- Deer Park in Deer Park producing 333,700 bcd; and
- Flint Hills Resources in Corpus Christi producing 288,126 bcd.
What are some of the agencies that oversee Texas refineries?
No single agency is responsible for the safety regulation of American refineries and chemical plants. Instead, the responsibility of regulation refineries and other large industrial operations is divided among several agencies, each responsible for a different aspect of operation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for safety regulations designed to protect the safety of employees. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with regulating the environmental impact of refineries. Because both of the agencies regulate how refineries operate, each agency affects the safety of these large industrial operations.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, in addition to other agencies, investigates refinery and chemical plant accidents in the United States. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board does not issue fines or citations, but does make recommendations to plants, regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), industry organizations and labor groups.
In Texas, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality also monitors and regulates refineries, chemical plants and other large-scale industrial operations.
How does workers' compensation affect my claim for damages?
If you are injured in a refinery accident, your employer, co-workers or friends may tell you that you do not have a right to file a civil lawsuit. That is not always the case - while some workers' compensation cases may bar a lawsuit, there are many cases in which a personal injury lawsuit is allowed by law. If you have been injured in a refinery or industrial accident, or any other type of workplace accident, it is important to consult with a refinery accident attorney who can review the facts of your case and advise you of your legal options.
It can be difficult in industrial accidents to identify the cause, let alone identify the responsible parties and there may be multiple defendants including negligent owners, contractors, property owners, or other workers, included in the suit.
The Wyly Law Firm has knowledge of state and federal regulations governing oil and chemical refineries, and we will aggressively pursue claims against all liable parties, including corporate entities and contractors. Contact us today.
How can a law firm help if I'm injured in a refinery accident?
Texas is no stranger to large-scale industrial accidents. Southeast Texas is dotted with refineries and chemical plants, and many of the state’s men and women make their livelihoods as employees in these industrial operations.
The industrial accident attorney at the Wyly Law Firm is knowledgeable about refinery and chemical plant litigation and we can help you seek the financial compensation you deserve. Our personal injury team handles a wide range of refinery and industrial accidents including:
- Forklift injuries;
- Heavy machinery accidents;
- Explosion injuriess and burn injuries;
- Chemical exposure; and
- Slip and fall accidents.
The Wyly Law Firm, P.C., based in Houston, is committed to representing people throughout Texas injured in refinery accidents. The firm handles cases in Houston and the surrounding communities, including Harris County, Beaumont, Baytown, Galveston and Pasadena. To contact Wyly Law Firm, P.C., call 713.574.7034, or reach the firm through the online contact form.
