Experts express concern about refinery safety in wake of Irving blast
Oil refineries and other large industrial operations that are surrounded by residential communities need to work harder to ensure safety and protect their own bottom lines, multiple experts say.
A massive refinery blast shook Saint John, N.B., on Monday, sending flames and black smoke into the sky but causing only minor injuries, leaving officials relieved it wasn’t far worse.
Kevin Scott, Irving Oil’s chief refining and supply officer, told reporters at an afternoon briefing that the company was “very grateful today — and being Thanksgiving, I think it’s appropriate.”
He said there had been a problem with the refinery’s diesel treating unit, which removes sulphur from diesel fuel, but it wasn’t yet clear exactly what caused the malfunction.