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No Disruption To Heating Oil Supplies After Milford Haven Refinery Blast
4th June 2011
There is unlikely to be any disruption to UK heating oil supplies, as a result of the fatal explosion at Chevron's Milford Haven refinery on Thursday, according to local fuel distributors and the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers.
The blast occurred c.1820hrs BST, as routine maintenance was being undertaken on a storage tank at the Pembrokeshire complex. Three men and one woman were killed in the blast, which destroyed a 730m³ storage tank and badly damaged another. Another worker is understood to be critically ill in hospital.
OilFiredUp.com spoke with several heating oil distributors in South Wales and South West England yesterday (Friday) and was advised that no significant disruption to heating oil deliveries is expected as a result of the explosion.
Speaking with OilFiredUp.com, one fuel distributor said, "In light of the tragic loss of four lives at Milford Haven, it almost seems wrong to be talking about heating oil deliveries. However, we have received a small number of calls from customers, wondering whether fuel deliveries will be affected.
"We expect no disruption whatsoever to heating oil deliveries or any other fuel in the area. Demand for heating oil always falls significantly during the Summer months and we like many other distributors, are carrying adequate stocks of all fuels. Deliveries will continue as normal and are unaffected by the blast. At this time, our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives."
A spokesperson for the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS), also confirmed that having liaised with members in the area, no disruption to heating oil deliveries is expected, with FPS members having access to adequate stocks.
The cause of the blast, which is the most deadly incident at a UK fuel refinery in decades, is not known. However, it is understood maintenance was being completed on one of the giant storage tanks at the site, when the incident occurred. The refinery was closed on Friday as a mark of respect to the deceased and an investigation into the cause of the incident has now commenced.
