Oman – Fire At Muscat Refinery Extinguished

Muscat: A fire that broke out at the Muscat Refinery in Mina Al Fahal has been put out, Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) said on its website.

“There were no serious injuries reported and we would like to assure you all that there are no direct impacts of this incident on fuel supplies to Omani local market or any contamination of oil products on the surrounding environment,” the Orpic statement posted on its website said.

The fire had broken out at the 85,000 barrels per day refinery on Thursday afternoon and all the staff were evacuated. There were no fatalities reported but three people sustained injuries due to burns.

Orpic did not say what had caused the fire but witnesses heard a blast moments before the incident.

“We heard a blast then saw smoke on top of the tanks and processing units. We don’t know what has exactly caused it. ” one of the refinery staff, told Times of Oman.

The refinery is managed by Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic). The company is also managing another refinery in Sohar, which has a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. 

Meanwhile, Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances (PACDA) said that four people suffered medium injuries in the incident and that they have been admitted to the hospital.

The civil defence authority added that fire in Muscat Refinery is under control.

“Fire is under control. Employees have been evacuated,” the PACDA tweeted on its official twitter account.

The reason behind the fire is not yet clear.