Blast shakes Venezuela's largest refinery

PanARMENIAN.Net - A large gas explosion shook Venezuela's largest refinery, the 645,000-barrels-per-day Amuay facility, in the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 25 causing some injuries and infrastructure damage, the oil minister and workers said.

Based in the west of the South American OPEC nation, Amuay is part of the Paraguana Refining Center, one of the biggest refinery complexes in the world with an overall capacity of 955,000 bpd.

"There was a gas leak," Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez told state TV. "A cloud of gas exploded ... it was a significant explosion, there are appreciable damages to infrastructure and houses opposite the refinery."

Both Ramirez and workers said there had been injuries, but gave no more details.

Emergency workers were at the scene, where smoke and flames could be seen over the facility. Inhabitants of the immediate area were being evacuated, authorities said.

Ivan Freites, a union leader at the state oil company PDVSA, said foam would be used to control the fire.

PDVSA has struggled with repeated refinery problems in recent years, affecting its production figures and ability to fulfill ambitious expansion plans. Power faults, accidents and planned stoppages for maintenance have hit exports from South America's biggest crude producer and OPEC member, Reuters reported.