why is this a big deal?

[cj hall]

Oct 17 2007 10:17AM

Associated Press

(Stations: UPDATES with oil prices rising on news of explosion) BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) An explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Billings this morning, briefly sent oil prices back above 88 dollars a barrel.



News of the explosion exacerbated growing concerns about the adequacy of crude oil supplies.

But prices fell to about $87. 30 a barrel after the government reported a larger than expected increase in overall crude and gasoline inventories.



This morning's blast happened when hydrocarbon gas leaked from a high-pressure pipeline and was ignited.



A large explosion and fireball followed. Exxon Mobil officials say no one was hurt and the fire was under control about 20 minutes after it started.



(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. ) APNP 10-17-07 1009CDT |



This is why I cant stand the news people this fire was about 1. 5 miles from my house I did not hear anything or see anything yet because they think this is news they report it and the price of crude goes up!!!!!!



This is one unit only not the whole refinery and its the USLD unit so it should not drive the cost of crude oil up. GET OVER IT. ITS A REFINERY ITS GOING TO BLOW UP AT SOME POINT.

UPDATE ON FIRE 10/18/07

this is in the paper today looks like a 1700 psi hydrogen line leaked and let lose its been depressureized to 4 psi but its taking a long time to shut off the flow the unit is down and there not sure what this will do to the refinery as they need this line to make diesel fuel and other things, (yah the fire is still buring)

 

[tgordon]

I could see pump price going up, but if anything the barrel price should drop as the refinary capacity, and therefore demand for the product, has dropped. My guess is speculators and morons buying it up. Unfortunatly because the world has such an appetite for energy they will likely not loose any money over it.

 

[Cattletrkr]

My guess is speculators and morons buying it up.

I would guess that accounts for 99% of all crude movements.

 

[FLynes]

CJ, didn't you know that the AP and Reuters hold stock in oil? :-laf :{

 

[cj hall]

fire

hello to all



i just found out what broke

it was a 8'' sch 160 pipe that broke about 6 " from the weld fitting 1700 psi in the pipe and it broke clean,wonder who made the pipe. sch 160 has a wall thickness of . 906



thats thick boys



cj hall

 

[cj hall]

fire

hello to all



I was wrong about the pipe size it was 2'' sch 160 and it broke 8'' back from the fitting I got this from a machinest that works at exxon.



cj hall