Louisiana is home to at least 15 oil refineries, producing 3.2 million to 3.4 million barrels of crude oil daily. Production from these oil refineries amounts to 20 percent of the refining capacity in the United States and employs thousands of workers.
Unfortunately, oil refineries pose risks to workers, who sometimes suffer injuries or die in workplace accidents. An attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can handle your injury or wrongful death case and seek compensation on your behalf.
What Is the History of Oil Refineries in Louisiana?
Standard Oil in Baton Rouge built the first and largest oil refinery in Louisiana in 1909, eight years after Jules Clement discovered bubbles rising from a spot in his rice field, leading to the construction of the first oil rig in the state near the town of Jennings.
Standard Oil went defunct in 1911 but was broken up into 43 different companies, including ExxonMobil, which continues to operate that first oil refinery today. Since that first well in 1901, over 1.1 million have been dug in the state, producing 25 billion barrels of oil and gas. The oil industry generates $1.2 billion in state revenues and employs about 116,000 workers.
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What Is the Full List of Oil Refineries in Louisiana?
The list of oil refineries in Louisiana has grown and shrank over the decades due to closings. In 2017, there were 18 oil refineries in operation, dropping down to 15 in 2022. The newest oil refinery in the state was built in Krotz Springs in 1980, over 40 years ago.
Here’s a list of active oil refineries in Louisiana as of May 2022:
- Baton Rouge Refinery
Location: Baton Rouge
Year Built: 1909
Operator: ExxonMobil - Alliance Refinery
Location: Belle Chasse
Year Built: 1971
Operator: Phillips 66 - Chalmette Refinery
Location: Chalmette
Year Built: 1915
Operator: PBF - Convent Refinery
Location: Convent
Year Built: 1967
Operator: Shell Norco - Cotton Valley Refinery
Location: Cotton Valley
Year Built: 1930s
Operator: Calumet Lubricants - Garyville Refinery
Location: Garyville
Year Built: 1977
Operator: Marathon Petroleum - Krotz Springs Refinery
Location: Krotz Springs
Year Built: 1980
Operator: Alon USA - Lake Charles I Refinery
Location: Lake Charles
Year Built: 1941
Operator: Phillips 66 - Lake Charles II Refinery
Location: Lake Charles
Year Built: 1944
Operator: Citgo - Lake Charles Refinery III
Location: Lake Charles
Year Built: 1978
Operator: Calcasieu - Meraux Refinery
Location: Meraux
Year Built: 1961
Operator: Valero Energy - Norco Refinery
Location: Norco
Year Built: 1920
Operator: Shell Norco - Motiva-Norco Refinery
Location: Norco
Year Built: 1918
Operator: Motiva/Shell joint operation - St. Charles Refinery
Location: St. Charles Parish
Year Built 1980
Operator: Valero - Port Allen Refinery
Location: Port Allen
Year Built: Pre-1975
Operator: Placid Refining LLC - Princeton Refinery
Location: Princeton
Year Built: 1953
Operator: Calumet Lubricants - Shreveport Refinery
Location: Shreveport
Year Built: Pre-1980
Operator: Calumet Lubricants - Torrance Refinery
Location: Torrence
Year Built: 1929
Operator: ExxonMobil - Westlake Refinery
Location: Westlake
Year Built: 1941
Operator: Phillips 66
Have Accidents Occurred at Oil Refineries in Louisiana?
Several accidents have occurred at oil refineries across Louisiana over the decades, resulting in worker injuries and deaths. This includes:
- Fires and explosions: Oil and gas are highly flammable, as well as other chemicals the refinery uses. Fires can result in explosions that cause wide devastation.
- Spills and leaks: Toxic chemicals can spill or leak, exposing workers who sustain burns and poisoning.
- Falls: Workers often slip, trip, and fall, sometimes from high distances that cause serious injuries.
- Crushing: Workers can sustain crushing injuries from heavy equipment, such as a forklift.
While worker safety continues to improve, faulty equipment and human error continue to cause serious injuries and death.
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Are There Examples of Oil Refinery Accidents?
There are many documented accidents at oil refineries in Louisiana, including:
- In April 2009, a worker at the Garyville refinery fell to his death, according to Nola.com.
- An explosion at the Baton Rouge refinery in 1976 killed 12 workers, The New York Times reports.
- Three workers sustained severe steam burns at a Belle Chasse refinery in 2008, per Reuters.
- One worker lost his life due to a hydrogen sulfide leak at a Chalmette refinery in 2010, per a Nola.com report.
These examples are but a few of many similar tragedies that happen at oil refineries.
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Learn More About the Full List of Oil Refineries in Louisiana Today
Workers risk serious injury or death at oil refineries every day. Our Louisiana-based personal injury firm proudly handles workers’ compensation cases, wrongful death cases, and personal injury cases. We also have recovered over $200 million in multimillion-dollar settlements for our clients.
If you or someone you love are the victims of an oil refinery accident, an attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is ready to evaluate your potential case. For a free and private consultation, contact us today so you can learn more about the recovery options you can pursue.
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