Exxon Fire at Billings Refinery

MONTANA, Nov 15 (Neo Natura) - Exxon Mobil had an explosion and was fighting a fire at 6am on October 17th 2007 at its 60,000 barrel per day refinery in Billings, Montana. [ID:nN17288475]

The fire contributed to pushing the price of oil up.

NEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures were up on Wednesday, matching the record peak at $88.20 after news of a Montana refinery fire and ahead of fresh oil inventory data.

The explosion occurred in a processing unit after piping in a high-pressure hydrotreater leaked gases that ignited, although an exact cause had not been determined. The refinery's general manager stated that no one was in the area at the time.

A spokesman for the company said the refinery continues to operate but some units have been scaled back. She said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Coincidentally the ConocoPhillips refinery in Billings received an EnergyStar award on November 13th 2007. The refinery was awarded the award in part for being particularly efficient in capturing and recycling thermal energy. The refinery won the same award in 2006 for cutting overall sulfur dioxide emissions from 2,400 tons in 1992 to 270 tons in 2005.