Blast shakes Venezuela's largest refineryAugust 25, 2012 - 13:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A large gas explosion shook Venezuela's largest refinery, the 645,000-barrels-per-day Amuay facility, in the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 25 causing some injuries and infrastructure damage, the oil minister and workers said. Based in the west of the South American OPEC nation, Amuay is part of the Paraguana Refining Center, one of the biggest refinery complexes in the world with an overall capacity of 955,000 bpd. "There was a gas leak," Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez told state TV. "A cloud of gas exploded ... it was a significant explosion, there are appreciable damages to infrastructure and houses opposite the refinery." Both Ramirez and workers said there had been injuries, but gave no more details. Emergency workers were at the scene, where smoke and flames could be seen over the facility. Inhabitants of the immediate area were being evacuated, authorities said. Ivan Freites, a union leader at the state oil company PDVSA, said foam would be used to control the fire. PDVSA has struggled with repeated refinery problems in recent years, affecting its production figures and ability to fulfill ambitious expansion plans. Power faults, accidents and planned stoppages for maintenance have hit exports from South America's biggest crude producer and OPEC member, Reuters reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |