Smoke is rising above an oil refinery in the United States, and locals are being told to shelter in place after an explosion rocked the facility.

The incident happened at a refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, owned by the fuel company Valero. It employs about 770 workers, according to its website, and produces 435,000 barrels per day, processing it into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The city, with a population of about 56,000, is located in the southeast corner of the state. Its police and fire departments have told residents on the west side of the city to take shelter, and the Texas Department of Transportation has told drivers to avoid the area, but there are no evacuation orders at this time.

“To ensure the safety of all residents in the vicinity in light of the recent explosion at the Valero Refinery, an immediate shelter-in-place is ordered,” said the fire department.

“For your safety, please remain in place until the all clear is given by emergency personnel.”

Police have told local media they believe an industrial heater caused the blaze, and there are no reports of injuries.  (News Com)

Videos show flames and a plume of thick smoke following an explosion at a Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.

Police have told local media they believe an industrial heater caused the blaze and there are no reports of injuries. pic.twitter.com/YIddsxmceo

— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 24, 2026

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The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will cease operations for 45 days in early July 2024, more than 03 years since the previous turnaround (TAR) in February 2021, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced today. 

Issuing a statement, the CPC said that this is a mandatory requirement, in compliance with international norms, that qualifies the refinery for safe and reliable operation for a further 03 years.

Once the refinery is brought back on stream after the Turnaround, it will be subjected to upgrades designed to increase its contribution to Sri Lanka’s changing product requirements. 

The CPC said during the scheduled shutdown, it will maintain a full capacity of crude to regain full throughput in the shortest possible time, along with a buffer stock of products for approximately twice the planned shutdown period to ensure continuous supply to customers. (NewsWire)

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The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has called for the Expressions of Interest (EOI) responses for the Hambantota Oil Refinery to be analyzed with caution. 

In March, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera revealed that seven (07) companies have submitted EOIs for the proposed new oil refinery in Hambantota.

Commenting on the matter, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has advised the government to set in place transparent processes and governance structures that will facilitate the divestiture of non-strategic commercial assets/stakes, as well as encourage investment in strategic assets such as the Hambantota refinery. 

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said in its statement that any process which lacks governance and transparency could lead to corruption which is an issue that has hindered the progress of economic development and attracting genuine foreign direct investments. 

A transparent process in this regard will also complement the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) engagement with the government which is aimed at improving the governance framework through a diagnostic analysis, which is a structural benchmark under the Extended Fund facility with the IMF, it stated. 

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce further said it stands ready to assist the government in driving a progressive reform agenda and recognizes that the private sector is an equal partner in ensuring an accelerated economic recovery. (NewsWire)

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Seven (07) companies have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the proposed new oil refinery in Hambantota, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Tuesday (28).

Minister Wijesekera said in a Twitter message that companies had submitted EOIs by the deadline yesterday pertaining to the oil refinery to be developed in Mirijjawila.

He further said the technical evaluation committee and other procurement committees will evaluate EOIs and issue the Request for Proposals (RFP) to suitable applicants. 

In January 2023, the Cabinet gave permission for the energy ministry to call expressions of interest to set up an export-oriented oil refinery in Hambanthota. (NewsWire)

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