At 5:40 a.m. on April 16, 2006, an explosion and fire occurred in the vicinity of desulfurization unit at the Chiba oil refinery.
We would like to offer our sincere apologies for all the trouble and distress this incident has caused.
The following is to clarify the current situation.
| Circumstances | Around 5:40 a.m.: explosion and fire confirmed in the vicinity of desulfurization unit (HDS) (Details of the exact location still to be confirmed) Around 5:48 a.m.: announcement issued to defense services Around 5:50 a.m.: reported the incident to Ichihara City Fire Department and contacted all related sites 8:19 a.m.: confirmation that the fire had been suppressed 8:44 a.m.: confirmation that the fire had been extinguished (Ichihara City Fire Department) 9:35 a.m.: public fire department leaves site |
|---|---|
| Site of fire outbreak | The fire is assumed to have started around the high-pressure separating layer (D-V2) and the separating tank (D-V8). (Operating condition before the fire outbreak: 70°C, 6.9 MPa) (Operating condition of reactor vessel (D-V1): 396°C, 7.4 MPa) Damaged areas are being examined sequentially and three openings have been confirmed so far. (1) Damage to overhead receiver of carbon dioxide absorption tower, hydrogen production unit (2) Damage to water pipeline on framework (pipe inner diameter 2 inches) (3) Opening in flange area of oil pipeline under framework (pipe inner diameter of 6 inches) |
| Current situation | No casualties Effects on atmosphere: no sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or combustible gas in the air along neighboring roads (no odor) Effects on water quality: no oil spillage outside the oil refinery |
| Dealing with local inhabitants | We asked the public fire department to help with public relations. |
| Outline of desulfurization unit | This unit desulfurizes heavy oil (vacuum gas oil) and produces materials for the fluid catalytic cracking unit as well as the base material for low-sulfur heavy oil. |
*A comprehensive disaster countermeasures office has been established to deal with this incident (Chief: Masahide Huruzono, Executive Director).
