News

Refinery could be out of action for weeks, costing Valero millions

Published

5 years ago

August 11, 2019

THE FALLOUT from Friday’s disruption to the national electricity supply across many parts of the UK will be serious for Pembrokeshire’s oil refinery.

Pembroke Refinery – owned by Valero – can refine up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

Along with 900,000 other electricity users in the UK, it suffered a complete power failure on August 9.

A source close to the plant told The Herald that screens in the control room went blank and refinery operators were forced to shut down manually.

During the incident there were large flare offs at the site and black smoke could be seen from the stacks.

There was a strong smell of oil in the air reported by nearby residents.

Despite Valero’s official spokesperson saying on Friday that the company did not comment on operational matters, another source told this newspaper that the power outage had knocked the fluid catalytic cracker offline, and that it would likely take a number of weeks for the refinery to get back to normal operations.

Our source said: “This is going to cost Valero millions of pounds. Everyone is very tight lipped at the present time, but I expect that there will be a big meeting on Monday – I understand that there are colleagues flying in from Texas.

“With the refinery out of action some ships may be forced to leave Milford Haven without any cargo.”

Our source told us: “I know that there is at least one ship waiting, on berth three I think, to load up with alkylate, but with the cracker down this won’t be happening.”

In 2017 a power outage and resulting smoke at a Valero Energy Corp refinery forced residents to remain indoors for several hours in Benicia, California. According to local news media reports at the time, black smoke from the refinery, also caused traffic to back up on Interstate 680 and forced evacuations from the industrial park where the plant is located. Orders to remain indoors and evacuate the industrial park had been lifted by noon. Two people were treated for respiratory distress.

Electrical disruptions and power failures at refineries often cause immense damage in terms of lost production, excessive repair costs, environmental impact and safety concerns. Electrical power is the lifeblood of the refinery and plant operation. An individual incident can run losses into millions of dollars a day. In 2012, the Phillips 66 refinery in New Jersey was down for 23 days. They estimated the lost revenue was over $650 million US Dollars.
The Government says it plans to launch an investigation into the major power cut. The blackout also brought travel chaos to the rail network and affected the power supply to Newcastle Airport and Ipswich Hospital.

Power had to be restored to more than 900,000 customers after what National Grid Electricity System Operator said was the almost simultaneous loss of two large generators.

Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said Friday’s power outage had caused “enormous disruption”.
She added: “National Grid must urgently review and report to Ofgem.
“I will also be commissioning the Government’s Energy Emergencies Executive Committee to consider the incident.”

The committee will look at whether National Grid, which manages the electricity supply system, stuck to its processes and procedures and if these were fit-for-purpose.

It will also examine if there were technical performance issues in the country’s power system, the efficiency of communications around the incident and how power demand was restored.

National Grid said it would seek to “understand the lessons learned” from the incident, while energy regulator Ofgem called for an “urgent detailed report” on what went wrong.
Duncan Burt, operations director at National Grid, said the power cut was an “incredibly rare event”, but back-up systems had “worked well” in response.

He explained that automatic processes triggered by the loss of the two generators had temporarily disconnected electrical demand across the country to “help keep the rest of the system safe”.

Valero have been contacted for a further comment.

Entertainment

Sir Bryn Terfel launches search for future singing stars

Published

5 mins ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

OPERA star Sir Bryn Terfel is calling on the world’s most talented young singers to compete for a title that could propel them to international stardom.

The renowned bass-baritone described the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as “a wonderful opportunity” for budding performers to launch their careers on the global stage.

Sir Bryn, from Pantglas, near Penygroes, Gwynedd, will headline the Eisteddfod’s closing concert on Sunday, July 13, at the International Pavilion. He plans to perform songs from his latest album, Sea Songs, alongside acclaimed folk group Fisherman’s Friends and Welsh folk singer Eve Goodman.

The concert will also feature the final of this year’s Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, which has been a highlight of the festival since its launch in 2013. Last year, Singaporean soprano Shimona Rose claimed the title in a thrilling finale against Welsh soprano Manon Ogwen Parry.

Prestigious prize

Sponsored by Pendine Park through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT), the competition awards the winner the Pendine Trophy and a £3,000 cheque. The runner-up will receive £1,000.

The closing date for entries is Thursday, February 20. Entrants, aged 19 or over, must submit an audio recording and proof of age with their application. They will perform a seven-minute programme in the preliminary rounds and a ten-minute programme in the final, featuring works from oratorio, opera, lieder, or song, sung in their original language.

Sir Bryn said: “The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is a fantastic opportunity for talented young singers. It provides a real launchpad for careers onto the global stage.”

A global stage

Llangollen Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director, Dave Danford, said this year’s competition final, held during the closing concert, would give contestants the chance to perform on the same stage as Sir Bryn.

“The competition provides a valuable stepping stone for young singers pursuing professional careers,” he said. “So far, we’ve received entries from China, Nigeria, England, and Wales. The selection panel will choose the competitors after the February 20 deadline.”

The competition was conceived by Pendine Park proprietors Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, who praised the extraordinary talent it continues to attract.

Mr Kreft said: “The standard is phenomenal. This year’s contestants also have the thrill of sharing a stage with Sir Bryn, one of the opera world’s true giants.”

Exciting concert lineup

The Eisteddfod’s evening concerts promise something for everyone. Legendary rock singer Roger Daltrey opens the season on Tuesday, July 8, with hits from The Who and his solo career, including a Q&A session with fans.

On Wednesday, July 9, a special concert, Uniting Nations: One World, will mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The event will feature Karl Jenkins’ One World performed by an international massed choir, including the Stay At Home Choir.

Thursday, July 10, sees BRIT Award-winning artist KT Tunstall perform her iconic album Eye to the Telescope with a live orchestra, marking its 20th anniversary. On Friday, July 11, Il Divo makes its Llangollen debut, delighting fans with their classical crossover repertoire.

For details on the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition and tickets, visit international-eisteddfod.co.uk.

Caption:
Sir Bryn Terfel performing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. (Pic: Supplied)

News

Traffic held on M4 after crash leaves car in central reservation

Published

15 mins ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRAFFIC on the M4 motorway in Wales came to a halt following a crash that left a car stranded in the central reservation on Sunday (Jan 26). The incident occurred on the westbound carriageway between junction 48 at Hendy and junction 49 at Pont Abraham. Emergency services, including fire crews, responded swiftly to the scene.

In addition to the collision, standing water on the road caused by heavy rain earlier in the day created hazardous driving conditions. The adverse weather, part of Storm Herminia’s impact on Wales, added to the challenges. A yellow weather warning for wind and rain had been issued across various regions of the country.

Queues formed near Pontardulais Road close to Llanelli, with traffic monitoring system Inrix reporting growing delays in the area. Traffic on the westbound lane came to a standstill, raising safety concerns for road users. Fire crews worked quickly to manage the situation, ensuring the safety of all involved.

Drivers faced further challenges due to reduced visibility and slippery conditions caused by the persistent heavy rain. Emergency services urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to instructions as they worked to clear the scene.

The crash disrupted travel for commuters and motorists relying on the M4, with delays and congestion building near the accident site. Authorities advised drivers to remain patient and vigilant as efforts to restore normal traffic flow continued.

The incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety during adverse weather. Motorists were encouraged to adjust their driving to account for challenging conditions, such as standing water and high winds, to prevent further incidents.

With traffic now moving cautiously through the affected area, the incident underscores the unpredictable nature of motorway travel and the importance of preparedness, particularly during stormy weather.

Crime

Welsh Warriors deny involvement in Milford Haven man’s arrest

Published

40 mins ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RUMOURS circulating on Facebook and in local chat groups have linked paedophile hunter group The Welsh Warriors to the arrest of Brian Underwood at his Milford Haven home on Thursday, January 23, at 8:30am. However, the group has released a statement categorically denying any involvement in the case.

A spokesperson for The Welsh Warriors said: “We are aware that a Milford Haven man, Brian Underwood, was arrested by police at his home this week, and that our name has been used in connection with this arrest. This is not true. We are also concerned about reports that some individuals are considering organising a protest. The Welsh Warriors have no information regarding this person to suggest that such action is necessary.”

The group urged the public to refer to their official Facebook page for accurate updates on their operations and efforts to assist the police in apprehending offenders, as well as their mission to protect children in Wales from predators.

Brian Underwood’s partner, Kayleigh Griffiths, told The Herald that while her partner had been arrested, the rumours circulating about the reason for his arrest are false.