News

Valero fined £5m over 2011 oil refinery explosion

Published

7 years ago

June 6, 2019

TWO companies have been ordered to pay more than £6 million following an explosion at Pembroke oil refinery that killed four people.

Julie Jones, Dennis Riley, Robert Broome and Andrew Jenkins all died in the blast in June 2011.

A fifth man, Andrew Phillips, survived the blast but suffered life-changing injuries, after being “surrounded in flames”.

The explosion happened when flammable gases inside an oil storage tank ignited.

Valero Energy UK Ltd and B&A Contracts admitted health and safety charges in October last year and sentencing was deferred first to April of this year and subsequently to yesterday (Thursday, Jun 5).

At the time of the explosion, in 2011, the refinery was operated by Chevron. However, a deal had already been struck to transfer ownership to Valero Energy UK.

Valero Energy was indicted as successor in ownership to Chevron, even though it had no control over the site at the time of the incident.

That means that while Valero Energy UK Ltd was fined £5 million and ordered to pay £1 million in legal costs, its penalty will be paid by Chevron as part of the deal made before the ownership of the refinery switched to Valero shortly after the 2011 tragedy.

Specialist tank cleaning firm B&A Contracts was fined £120,000 ordered to pay £40,000 in legal costs.

Chevron had mistakenly classified areas within the tank at the time as “non-hazardous” when they should have been listed as the most dangerous.

The workers were trying to “pump out residue in the tank”, which contained a mix of amine and diesel when the flammable atmosphere ignited.

Experts believe flammable fumes could have been ignited by static from a hose being lowered into the container by the workers, or by incoming air mixing with pyrophoric substances which can “ignite spontaneously on exposure to air”.

Had Chevron adequately assessed the conditions and risks, a different procedure would have been adopted. The failure in its processes led directly to the explosion and workers’ tragic fates.

Chevron has previously apologised to the families of those killed in the blast.

In a statement, the company offered “deepest regrets” and “sincere apologies” for failing to do “what should have been done” to prevent the explosion and subsequent loss of life and injuries.

Video of explosion (From BBC Wales)

TV news coverage at the time (from ITV Wales archive)

Crime

Dog owner admits causing suffering to pet with untreated skin disease

Published

7 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Staff Writer

Collie cross German Shepherd left suffering after illness went unaddressed, court told
A CARMARTHEN man has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog after failing to properly address a serious skin condition.

David Allen Murphy, aged 40, of Quay Street, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 11) after previously pleading guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard that between November 28 and December 28, 2025, Murphy caused unnecessary suffering to a Collie Cross German Shepherd dog named Cora by failing to adequately investigate and address the animal’s skin disease.

Prosecuted by the RSPCA, the charge stated that Murphy either knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that failing to deal with the condition would likely cause suffering to the dog.

Murphy, of Flat 2, 12 Quay Street, entered a guilty plea on May 21.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, with magistrates remanding Murphy on unconditional bail.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23, at 10:00am for sentencing.

Business

Welsh Conservatives demand answers over Tata Steel furnace delays

Published

8 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH CONSERVATIVES have called on the Welsh Government to explain who knew what, and when, about reported delays to Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot.

Shadow Economy, Energy and Planning Minister Janet Finch-Saunders MS raised the issue in the Senedd during an emergency statement following the recent fire at the steelworks.

While much of the focus has been on the fire, reports have suggested that separate concerns about delays to the electric arc furnace may have been known for several weeks.

It was reported on June 7 that Tata Steel had discussed potential delays linked to National Grid connectivity issues with “investors” during a conference call around a month earlier.

Mrs Finch-Saunders is now seeking clarity on whether those investors included the UK Government, which is investing £500m towards the £1.25bn project.

The previous UK Conservative Government also established an £80m transition fund to support workers at risk of losing their jobs. The Welsh Conservatives say they want clarification on whether any of that funding remains available if delays create further financial pressure for affected workers.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “If UK Government Ministers were aware of the issue a month ago, were Welsh Government Ministers informed?

“If Welsh Government Ministers were not informed, why not? If they were informed, why did the Economy Minister tell the Senedd that he only became aware of the delay on Monday?

“We now need a clear timeline setting out exactly when concerns first emerged and who was told.

“Port Talbot workers and their families deserve answers.”