US: Valero shuts Texas refinery after explosion rocks diesel unit VIDEO

Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N) has shut its 380,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, following an explosion and fire at a diesel hydrotreater unit, sources familiar with the plant’s operations said.

The blast at the 47,000-bpd 243-diesel hydrotreater unit shook the region near the Louisiana border, with the explosion reportedly heard up to 11 miles away, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The fire continued for nearly five hours after the initial incident, which occurred at around 7:30 p.m. CDT (0030 GMT, Tuesday).

ABD'nin Texas eyaletine bağlı Port Arthur kentindeki bir petrol rafinerisinde patlama meydana geldi https://t.co/fkZlWed8zC pic.twitter.com/uP4004Wruq

— Anadolu Ajansı (@anadoluajansi) March 24, 2026

Shutting the facility was deemed necessary to contain the blaze, the sources added. Firefighters struggled with a disrupted water supply and steam systems while attempting to bring the fire under control. No injuries were reported.

Diesel hydrotreaters use hydrogen to remove sulfur from motor fuels during production, helping refiners comply with U.S. environmental regulations.

Valero’s Port Arthur refinery, the company’s largest, is situated 86 miles (139 km) east of Houston. The closure could have implications for diesel production and regional fuel supplies, analysts said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev