BP Texas City site issues call for all employees to return to work
  by: OilOnline
  Thursday, September 29, 2005

The BP Texas City site, including refinery and chemicals operations, issued a call to all employees to return immediately to work at the refinery beginning with the 6 a.m. shift Thursday, September 29. The call to work includes both company employees and contractors.

BP said it had been in contact with most of its 1800 employees post- Hurricane Rita to verify their safety and locations.

"Everyone is due back at work at their next regularly scheduled shift," said BP Texas City Human Resources manager, Paula Sharp.

"Our Hurricane response crews have been working around the clock to secure safety inside the plant. We need everyone to report to work to continue our facility recovery on the way to restarting operations.

"We urge employees to continue to call our 800 line if their property has been damaged or if they have other personal needs as a result of the Hurricane," she said. Employees with Humanitarian Assistance needs should call 1-800-982-6913.

Meanwhile, BP Texas City issued the following update on the status of the refinery today:

BP continues recovery efforts at its Texas City refinery. The facility was shut down in advance of the hurricane on Wednesday, Sept. 21st. Employees are reporting back to the facility.

The refinery has discovered insulation damage to several units and will be working to further assess this damage and abate it. The plant has electrical power and there is no significant flooding. One empty product storage tank was damaged.

Responding to market demand for increased gasoline supply and the unique circumstances created by the total shutdown of the 1,200 acre refining complex, the refinery's phased business resumption plan emphasizes a safe restart and initial production of gasoline over other refined products.

Once safe startup and initial gasoline production are in place, the phased plan continues with a number of steps aimed at increasing production. The length of the restart period is unknown at this time.