Incident report

A summary of the recent explosions, fires and leaks in the tank storage industry

08 June 2022

NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA Imperial Oil

A collision with a front-end loader caused a puncture in a fuel tank owned by Imperial Oil, which resulted in an estimated 600,000 litre leak of gasoline. It is not yet clear how the collision occurred. Surrounding facilities and around 60 households were evacuated by emergency services. The Cape Breton regional fire department drafted in a McCurdy Airport rescue vehicle to spray foam on the spill to minimise the vapours released and prevent a fire. Imperial Oil will work with Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change staff and regulators in determining the environmental impact and how to remediate the contaminated area. 08 June 2022

TEXAS, USA Freeport LNG

Freeport LNG export terminal on Quintana Island, Texas, US, shut down following a reported explosion and fire at around 11.40am local time. The incident was contained to the immediate affected area of the plant. The company is now investigating the incident. Freeport LNG released a statement on their social media stating that no injuries occurred during the incident and there is no risk to the surrounding community. Due to the incident the terminal has been closed and will not reopen until October 2022 earliest.

27 June 2022

PENNSYLVANIA, US Hot tar tank

A fire and explosion in a hot tar storage tank at a depot in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, US, on 27 June 2022 ruptured a pipe and resulted in one person being burned. The incident happened at around 8 am local time at a depot in North Whitehall Township, reported by local media outlets to belong to New Enterprise Stone & Lime. The cause of the fire is not clear. It was eventually stopped by the local emergency services. 28 June 2022

AQABA, JORDAN Port of Aqaba

A chemical storage container fell during a crane malfunction causing a leak of toxic chlorine gas, in Aqaba, Jordan. State media reported that the leak had killed 13 people and injured 260. Specialist teams were sent by the Civil Defence Department to deal with the leak and clean-up operation. The container was filled with between 25 and 30 tonnes of chlorine and was being exported to Djibouti before the incident occurred. 08 July 2022

DELTA STATE, NIGERIA Delta State tank farm

A major fire at the Ifiekporo tank farm in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, owned by Matrix Energy, hospitalised 12 people on 8 July 2022. No fatalities were reported as a result of the fire. The chairman of Warri South Council, Dr Michael Tidi, said that the incident occurred during loading activities.