Power failures at petroleum plants can lead to catastrophic outcomes, including fires, toxic chemical releases, and serious injuries. These facilities rely on uninterrupted electrical systems to manage pressure, temperature, emissions, and the flow of hazardous materials. When power is lost at a petroleum plant, even for a short time, the consequences can be immediate and severe.
At Kherkher Garcia, we have seen firsthand how power failures in industrial settings can change lives forever. Our legal team is committed to helping injured workers and their families pursue justice after preventable incidents. Below, our petrochemical injury attorneys explore what causes power failures at petroleum plants, the dangers they pose, and what you should do if you or a loved one is harmed in a workplace fire or explosion.
Power Failure Causes Flaring at Baytown Petroleum Plant
Thick smoke and visible flames raised public concern recently after a “process upset incident” at the Raven Butene-1 facility in Baytown. The company reported that the smoke and fire originated from routine flaring, a common emergency response used to burn off excess hydrocarbons during equipment malfunctions. According to the Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) website, the incident occurred at 9520 East Freeway.
Although Baytown firefighters responded, they determined the activity was related to a power failure that resulted in flaring. The smoke dissipated quickly, but aerial footage initially captured dark plumes rising into the sky. This incident underscores the potential risks associated with flaring operations due to power failures or process disruptions at petrochemical facilities.
Common Causes of Power Failures at Petroleum Plants
Power failures at petroleum plants can be triggered by internal malfunctions or external events. Some of the most common causes include:
Grid Failures and Weather Events
Severe weather – such as hurricanes, ice storms, and high winds – can knock out regional power grids that supply energy to petroleum facilities. During extreme weather events, backup systems may fail to respond quickly enough to maintain safe operating conditions.
Equipment Malfunction or Overload
Outdated, poorly maintained, or defective equipment can short out or cause electrical overloads, resulting in widespread power loss. In some cases, overworked generators or faulty wiring can fail under pressure, causing cascading failures.
Human Error and Poor Maintenance
Improperly executed maintenance or procedural errors can lead to accidental shutdowns. For example, disconnecting a transformer or circuit breaker without proper safety checks can disable critical plant systems.
Cyberattacks and System Sabotage
In recent years, cyber threats targeting industrial infrastructure have become more common. A coordinated attack on a facility’s control systems can lead to loss of power or disable safety mechanisms.
Transformer and Substation Failures
Petroleum facilities often rely on dedicated substations and transformers. If these components fail due to wear and tear, weather, or inadequate inspections, the entire facility may lose power in an instant.
Hazards of Power Failures in Petroleum Facilities
A loss of power in a facility handling flammable and toxic chemicals presents a number of serious dangers:
Pressure Build-up and Explosions
Petroleum refining involves high-pressure systems. If a power failure disables pressure relief valves, pumps, or control systems, pressure can rapidly build up in storage tanks or pipes, leading to ruptures or explosions.
Loss of Ventilation and Gas Build-up
Many plants rely on constant ventilation to prevent the accumulation of flammable or toxic gases. If ventilation systems fail, vapors may accumulate in enclosed areas, creating an explosion hazard or exposing workers to harmful chemicals.
Emergency Shutdown Failures
Power is essential to safely shutting down refinery operations. Without it, units may continue to process hydrocarbons in unsafe conditions. This can lead to uncontrolled chemical reactions or fire.
Fire Suppression System Failure
Sprinklers, deluge systems, and foam suppression systems often require power to operate. A power failure can compromise the plant’s ability to fight a fire in its early stages.
Worker Injuries and Chemical Exposure
During a power loss, visibility may be reduced, alarms may not sound, and escape routes may become dangerous. Workers can suffer from burns, inhalation injuries, or be struck by debris during a blast.
Fire and Explosion Risks at Petroleum Plants
Power outages dramatically increase the risk of fires and explosions at petroleum facilities. Key contributing factors include:
- Highly flammable materials such as crude oil, gasoline, propane, and hydrogen.
- Heat and pressure buildup in processing units like hydrocrackers or distillation towers.
- Failed relief systems unable to vent pressure or heat safely.
- Human panic or delayed evacuation, which can exacerbate injuries or fatalities.
Even small fires at petroleum plants can rapidly escalate due to the volatile materials on-site. A spark or flash from a non-operational electrical panel could be enough to ignite a pool of leaked fuel or gas vapor.
Injuries That Can Result from Petroleum Plant Fires
Victims of petroleum plant fires and explosions may suffer:
- Severe burns, including thermal and chemical burns
- Inhalation injuries from smoke or toxic chemicals
- Traumatic injuries such as lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries from flying debris or structural collapse
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other psychological harm
- Long-term illnesses due to chemical exposure (e.g., cancer, respiratory disease)
These injuries often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and support. Some may result in permanent disability or death, devastating families emotionally and financially.
What Workers Should Do After a Workplace Injury
If you or someone you love was injured in a petroleum plant incident related to a power failure, it is critical to act quickly to protect your rights:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Get prompt medical treatment, even if injuries seem minor. Some symptoms – especially from chemical exposure – may not appear right away.
- Report the Incident: Notify your supervisor or plant manager as soon as possible. Request that the incident be documented in writing. This is essential for any future claim.
- Collect Evidence If You Can: If safe and feasible, take photos of the scene or keep notes about what happened. Record the names of witnesses or coworkers who were present.
- Do Not Sign Anything Without Legal Advice: In the aftermath of an industrial accident, employers or insurers may ask you to sign waivers or statements. Do not sign anything before speaking to an experienced attorney.
- Contact a Qualified Industrial Injury Lawyer: Navigating the legal aftermath of a petroleum plant incident can be complex. An experienced attorney can investigate the root cause, identify liable parties, and help you seek full compensation.
How Kherkher Garcia Can Help
At Kherkher Garcia, we have a long history of standing up for injured workers and their families. We understand the risks that oil, gas, and petrochemical workers face every day – and we know how to hold negligent employers, contractors, and third parties accountable when disaster strikes.
Here’s how we help victims of petroleum plant injuries and power-related incidents:
- Thorough Investigations: Our team works with safety experts, engineers, and investigators to determine exactly how and why a power failure occurred. We dig deep to uncover unsafe conditions, code violations, and corporate negligence.
- Filing Claims for Compensation: We help injured workers file for workers’ compensation benefits while also exploring third-party liability claims, which can provide additional compensation beyond what workers’ comp allows.
- Pursuing Maximum Recovery: We fight to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, long-term disability, emotional suffering, and, in wrongful death cases, funeral costs and survivor benefits.
- Standing Up to Big Corporations: Petroleum companies and their insurers often have vast resources to defend against claims. We’re not intimidated. Our attorneys have secured major settlements and verdicts in high-stakes industrial injury cases.
Don’t Face This Alone – Kherkher Garcia is Here to Help
Power failures at petroleum plants are more than an inconvenience – they are a potentially deadly hazard. If you have been injured due to a fire, explosion, or toxic exposure after a plant shutdown or electrical outage, you deserve answers, accountability, and compensation.
The team at Kherkher Garcia is ready to help you navigate the legal process, secure the resources you need to heal, and pursue justice for yourself and your family. Contact us today for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. Get started now by calling us at 713-333-1030, or by submitting our online contact form.
Image by freepik
