Amuay, a fallen giant

How come that oil supply will not be altered with a refinery of 630,000 barrels per day of crude oil at a standstill, without knowing for certain the reason for the terrible accident of August 25? Or is the real cause actually known?  If all that was not enough, flames have not been fully extinguished.

To begin with, such a huge and complex refinery with so many halted plants would take, in expert hands, at least one week to resume operations. Therefore, steady supply is very unlikely. Taking for granted that domestic market needs can be met with imports, what will happen though to export commitments?

Moreover, I am afraid that the residents of my beloved Paraguaná will soon witness a large amount of ships queuing at the port to load their shipment overseas. Incidentally, each wait day must be around USD 30,000.

Furthermore, if nine tanks are missing already in a storage system with a limited capacity, there must be troubles, for instance, with gasoline blends. Still, the contents of one of the tanks are the starting materials of the highest-octane component used in such gasoline blends.

All those who have been to Paraguaná are keenly aware of the strong winds. However, at some time in the year, precisely right now, the wind stops blowing. The gas used in the refinery as fuel and for hydrogen generation, contains 89% of methane. Methane is lighter than air. And gas also contains propane, heavier than air. Methane goes away, but propane remains at ground level.

It is difficult to give an opinion from the distance. Nevertheless, if there is still gas leak and the wind has stopped, the evacuation of local residents would be sensible.

* The author is a former manager of Amuay refinery

Translated by Conchita Delgado