Distillation unit in Amuay refinery is shut down after a fire

The first crude oil distillation unit of Amuay refinery, located in Paraguaná Refining Complex and owned by state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa), was shut down on Friday morning after a fire broke out at the plant. The oil flow line was broken, according to workers at the plant.

The unit has a refining capacity of 72,000 barrels per day and produces gas oil and feeds other Amuay units such as delayed coking, flexicoker, and the catalytic plant (to produce high octane fuel). The plant will be out of service until an investigation committee determines the cause of the fire.

The fire started at 6:50 am. No injuries were reported according to Pdvsa's workers. At that time, there were only a few workers at the facility.