Lok Sabha Question No. 4975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-26
Subject: Fire Accidents in Oil Tanks/ Refineries
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: KALIKESH NARAYAN SINGH DEO, DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  4975

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 th  March, 2018

## FIRE ACCIDENTS IN OIL TANKS/REFINERIES

4975.  SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO :

SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH :

## पैोलयम और ाक ृ तक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the number of accidents caused due to fire in oil tanks, refineries, etc. during the last  three  years  along  with  the  loss  of  life  and  property  as  a  result  thereof,  Oil Marketing Companies-wise;
- (b)  the  updated  status  on  inquiry  conducted  by  the  Government  for  major  fire incidents that took place in oil storage tank of IOCL at Hazira along with the action taken by the Government against officials of IOCL for negligence of duty;
- (c)   whether the Government has issued any directives to petroleum companies to avoid  such  fire  Incidents  in  storage  tanks/refineries  in  future  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d)  whether any Committee was set up for examining the reasons for such incidents, if so, the details thereof along with the Recommendations of the said committee and number of such recommendations implemented; and
- (e)   whether the Government proposes to set up Emergency Response Centre for accidents caused due to fire in oil tanks, refineries and if so, the details thereof and the timeline set for their completion?

## A N S W E R

## पैोलयम और ाकृ तक गैस मंी

(ी धम   धान)

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)  :  Oil  Industry  Safety  Directorate  (OISD) had  informed that during the last three years and the current year i.e. 2017-18 (up to February, 2018), two incidents of fire in oil tanks have been reported in the sectors of the Oil and Gas Industry such as Refineries & Gas Processing Plants, Marketing Operations (LPG/POL), Exploration & Production and Cross Country Pipelines in India. Details of both incidents is given as under:

|   S.No. | Date of Incident   | Location                                   | Company   | Fatality   | Brief description of the incident                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------|--------------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | 29.07.17           | Visakh Refinery                            | HPCL      | Nil        | There was a fire at the roof of crude tank 120-T-01D at 1840 hours on 29.07.2017 due to lightning during the rain prevalent at that time. The fire was fought immediately and brought under control within 15 minutes. The fire was completely put off by 1915 hrs. There were no casualties in the incident. |
|       2 | 06.10.17           | Marine Oil Terminal, BPCL- Mumbai Refinery | BPCL      | Nil        | On 6.10.2017 at 16:24 hours, during heavy rains and thunderstorm, there was a lightning strike on the tank farm area at MOT. At the same time, tank No 13 having HSD service caught fire.                                                                                                                     |

(b) to (d) :  The fire incident at Hazira Marketing Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) was occurred on 05.01.2013. This incident was investigated by Inter Disciplinary  Enquiry  Committee  constituted  under  the  chairmanship  of  Executive Director, OISD and Internal Committee of IOCL.

IOCL has informed that disciplinary proceedings were initiated against their 14 officers.  Major penalty was imposed on 3 officers. Minor penalty was imposed on 9 officers. Recordable warning was issued to one officer. Major penalty of 'Reduction of basic pay by three stages with cumulative effect' was imposed  on one officer who was suspended earlier.

OISD  has  informed  that  Enquiry  Committee  in  its  investigation  Report,  has made 20 recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Out of these recommendations, 19 recommendations have already been complied with by Public Sector Oil  Marketing Companies (OMCs).  Government has issued directive to all Public  Sector  Oil  Companies  to  review  the  safety  and  security  measures  at  all petroleum  depots  /terminals  and  take  all  necessary  corrective  actions  to  plug  any loopholes in the security and safety system.

(e) :  One of the recommendations of the MB Lal  Committee which investigated the IOCL  Jaipur  Fire  Incident,  was  setting  up  Emergency  Response  Centre  in  India which can handle Oil fires with specialized and expertise available  with them.    Five locations viz. Jaipur, Vizag, Manmad, Hazira, Dibiyapur have been identified in the country for  setting up of pilot ERCs.  A global tender for appointment of consultant for  Project  Management  Consultant  (PMC)  for  the  said  5  pilot  ERCs  has  been floated.

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