For more than a century, Houston has served as the energy capital of the United States, powered by thousands of oil wells, pipelines, and refineries. But with that growth came catastrophic risks. Industrial accidents caused by negligence have left deep scars across Houston and its surrounding communities.
Refinery accidents, pipeline explosions, and oil well injuries are among the most devastating incidents a worker can experience. When these tragedies occur, having an experienced Houston refinery injury lawyer or oil and gas injury attorney becomes critical.
Here, we examine the 10 worst oil and gas disasters in Houston’s history — and the major legal outcomes that followed.
10 Catastrophic Oil and Gas Disasters in Houston History
1. Texas City Disaster (April 16, 1947)
- Location: Port of Texas City, Texas.
- Time: Around 8:00 a.m.
- Details: The French ship SS Grandcamp, loaded with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate, caught fire and exploded.
- Casualties: Approximately 581 killed, over 5,000 injured.
- Legal Outcomes: The U.S. government paid $17 million in settlements, one of the first mass tort recoveries in U.S. history.
This tragedy remains the deadliest industrial accident involving pipeline and refinery operations in the nation’s history.
2. Phillips 66 Explosion (October 23, 1989)
- Location: Phillips Petroleum Chemical Complex, Pasadena, Texas.
- Time: 1:05 p.m.
- Details: A release of highly flammable ethylene led to a massive explosion, equivalent to 2.4 tons of TNT.
- Casualties: 23 workers killed, more than 300 injured.
- Legal Outcomes: Phillips paid over $70 million in fines and civil settlements.
Today, any worker injured in a similar refinery blast should immediately seek help from a refinery explosion injury lawyer to protect their rights.
3. BP Texas City Refinery Explosion (March 23, 2005)
- Location: BP Refinery, Texas City, Texas.
- Time: 1:20 p.m.
- Details: A hydrocarbon vapor cloud ignited during the startup of an isomerization unit, causing a massive blast.
- Casualties: 15 dead, 180 injured.
- Legal Outcomes: OSHA issued a record $21 million fine; BP paid over $2 billion in total settlements.
Victims of refinery disasters often require a seasoned Houston refinery injury attorney to secure full compensation.
4. Deepwater Horizon Blowout (April 20, 2010)
- Location: Macondo Prospect, Gulf of Mexico (managed by Houston-based BP).
- Time: 9:45 p.m.
- Details: A blowout preventer failed, leading to a catastrophic offshore explosion.
- Casualties: 11 workers killed, 17 seriously injured.
- Legal Outcomes: BP agreed to over $20 billion in penalties, settlements, and restoration funds.
Many offshore oil workers injured in oil rig accidents now turn to oil and gas injury lawyers for guidance.
5. TPC Group Port Neches Explosion (November 27, 2019)
- Location: TPC Group Plant, Port Neches, Texas.
- Time: 1:00 a.m.
- Details: A series of chemical explosions ripped through the plant, igniting massive fires.
- Casualties: 3 workers injured; more than 60,000 residents ordered to evacuate.
- Legal Outcomes: Over $50 million secured through class-action settlements.
Victims of pipeline explosions and chemical plant fires need strong legal advocates to fight for their future.
6. Intercontinental Terminals Company Fire (March 17, 2019)
- Location: Deer Park, Texas.
- Time: 10:30 a.m.
- Details: A tank fire spread through a storage facility, burning for over three days and blanketing the area with toxic smoke.
- Casualties: No fatalities, but widespread respiratory issues reported.
- Legal Outcomes: Ongoing environmental lawsuits and regulatory actions.
This disaster highlights the dangers posed by chemical fires and pipeline storage accidents in densely populated areas.
7. ExxonMobil Baytown Complex Explosion (December 23, 2021)
- Location: ExxonMobil Chemical Plant, Baytown, Texas.
- Time: 1:00 a.m.
- Details: A processing unit explosion injured several workers and caused large-scale property damage.
- Casualties: 4 workers hospitalized.
- Legal Outcomes: Private settlements reached; OSHA fines issued.
Workers injured in chemical plant explosions often rely on workplace injury attorneys to recover lost wages and medical expenses.
8. LyondellBasell La Porte Chemical Leak (July 27, 2021)
- Location: LyondellBasell Facility, La Porte, Texas.
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Details: A massive release of acetic acid caused worker deaths and mass chemical exposure.
- Casualties: 2 workers killed, over 30 hospitalized.
- Legal Outcomes: Ongoing injury lawsuits; significant regulatory penalties.
Oil well injury attorneys and chemical exposure lawyers play a critical role for victims of incidents like this.
9. Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery Explosion (May 15, 2022)
- Location: Marathon Petroleum Refinery, Texas City, Texas.
- Time: 9:00 a.m.
- Details: A malfunctioning pump ignited a fire in a hydrocarbon processing unit.
- Casualties: 5 workers injured.
- Legal Outcomes: Government investigations launched; settlements in negotiation.
For victims of refinery fires or pipeline accidents, quick legal action is critical to securing maximum compensation.
10. INEOS Phenol Plant Fire (February 2, 2024)
- Location: INEOS Phenol Facility, Pasadena, Texas.
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Details: A fire during maintenance operations forced evacuations and injured multiple contractors.
- Casualties: 6 contractors injured.
- Legal Outcomes: Ongoing OSHA investigations; lawsuits expected.
Contractors injured in plant fires or pipeline maintenance accidents deserve representation from a skilled Houston injury lawyer for oil and gas workers.
Why You Need a Houston Industrial Accident Lawyer After an Oil, Gas, or Refinery Incident
When an accident happens at a refinery, during a pipeline explosion, or while working on an oil well, the energy companies move quickly to protect themselves — not you.
Without an experienced Houston refinery injury attorney or pipeline accident lawyer, victims often settle for far less than they deserve.
At the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian, we proudly fight for injured workers and their families, helping them recover full compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages when negligence is proven
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
FAQs
What are the main causes of refinery accidents in Houston?
Negligence, poor maintenance, outdated safety systems, and failure to follow OSHA regulations are the most common causes.
Can oil and gas workers sue for injuries after a pipeline explosion?
Yes, injured workers can file personal injury claims or wrongful death lawsuits against negligent companies.
What compensation is available for refinery accident injuries?
You may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, disability, emotional distress, and more.
How long do I have to file an industrial injury claim in Texas?
Typically, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim.
Why hire the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian for an oil and gas injury?
Our team has the experience, resources, and dedication to take on even the largest energy companies — and win.
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