Explosion and fire halt operations at Lukoil’s Stavrolen petrochemical plant

28-Feb-14

A fire at Lukoil’s Stavrolen petrochemical plant in the southern Russian city of Budyonnovsk halted production. The integrated petrochemical complex is a major producer of polypropylene and low-pressure polyethylene. A fire broke out after a loss of pressure in the ethylene section. Reported by the Russian News, “The fire began at 12:35 Moscow time after valve depressurization. Local authorities claim that ignition was preceded by explosion; wounding several people, according to the local Emergency Ministry.” Stavrolen’s Budyonnovsk complex is Russia’s second largest polyethylene complex and the third largest polypropylene manufacturing site, as per ogj.com.