Explosion, large fire at propylene/natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation plant at Mont Belvieu

10-Feb-11

An explosion and large fire broke out at lunchtime Tuesday afternoon at Enterprise Products Partners' propylene/natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation plant at Mont Belvieu, Texas, located east of Houston. In late 2010, Enterprise brought its gross NGL fractionation capacity at Mont Belvieu to roughly 305 MBPD after completing a fourth 75 MBPD fractionator. A fifth 75 MBPD NGL fractionator due for completion early 2011, is under construction. The facility also houses six propylene fractionation units with a gross capacity of 87 MBPD and 4 butane isomerization units with a total capacity of 116 MBPD. In addition, the plant is the site of a 12-MBPD facility for producing isooctane.