BANGKOK, 5 July 2012 – Bangchak Petroleum is dispatching additional inspection units to examine the oil refinery’s blast site, while insisting that damage to nearby property will be fully compensated by the oil firm.
Following the suspension of the refinery’s operations, Bangchak’s inspection officers found that the fire has torched over 80 percent of the gas separation tower on the premises.
Bangchak Petroleum president Anusorn Sangnimnuan said repair works on the crude distillation unit and the unit’s tower are expected to take 2-3 months to complete. In a week, the company is planning to restart an equipment at the refinery, with a crude-processing capacity of 40,000 barrels a day, as a test run.
Mr Anusorn assured that Bangchak’s personnel are currently inspecting damage on the premises surrounding the plant. 14 construction contractors are being assigned to carry out maintenance works on damage to property and belongings in the area. The cost of explosion-related damage will be reimbursed by the firm.
Meanwhile, Phra Khanong district police said that following initial inspection, their investigation teams said the refinery’s blast and subsequent fire are either caused by accident, negligence, or arson.
