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BP's Cherry Point refinery fire causes west coast price spike

GasBuddy Blog -- For a while all the bad news about refinery problems seemed to be contained to the northeast. Not any more...

This weekend a major fire that started Friday at the BP Cherry Point Refinery in Blaine, Washington has left the refinery unable to take in its daily intake capacity (230,000 barrels per day), much of which arrives from Alaska. Approximately 90 percent of the crude oil refined there emerges as transport fuels making it the largest marketer of gasoline and jet fuel on the West Coast.

Local media report that a key link called a "crude vacuum distillation unit" was so badly burned that BP experts, as of today, had not yet approached it to assess the damage.

KPSP Local2 News said the fire has...

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Submitted Feb 20, 2012 By: PD

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elaine3085 Rookie Author Washington Posts:6 Points:1,050 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 6:09:36 PM Ignore elaine3085 Report Abuse this is a bigger problem than people are seeing, the country is already struggling and now imagine that the gas prices go up as so does grocery, well it's only a matter of time before people can't even make it to work because we charge so much for gas, ouch time to start improvising :walking and hello bus.. this sucks!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 6:03:22 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse the problem with all refineries is that maintenance costs a lot and that eats into profits. So, the hope is, nothing will happen. Well, as BP shows again, Murphy's Law strikes frequently...
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 6:02:10 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse awww.. just ahead of the "trial of the century" BP makes headlines again. And not positive ones either.
Duke69 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:7,970 Points:1,914,275 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 2:40:58 AM Ignore Duke69 Report Abuse Great
Tehbob Champion Author California Posts:2,276 Points:453,605 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 6:12:14 PM Ignore Tehbob Report Abuse havent we had enough of BP?
numbers Champion Author North Dakota Posts:2,801 Points:850,040 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 7:11:51 AM Ignore numbers Report Abuse Great
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,917 Points:2,341,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 3:12:12 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Any refinery ‘problem’ or fire is Not good news for a ‘west coast price spike.’ Refineries have been reducing production of fuel to raise the price of fuel at the pump and wholesale gas prices are spiking all along the West Coast. But prices were ‘spiking’ before this fire happened! The left coast will be paying LA fuel prices before this is over! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using ‘other’ forms of transportation or car pool to lower your cost for transportation. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
edgarCA Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,581 Points:241,770 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 2:02:50 AM Ignore edgarCA Report Abuse 1) How does this explain the rest of the Nation's gas price increase? 2) This fire erupting just in the beginning of the holiday weekend is very coincidental, almost intentional. 3) If this is a BP refinery, then how come Arco (which is part of BP) still had (on avg.) the lowest prices per octane in the market?
ammamama13 Rookie Author California Posts:96 Points:68,285 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 12:25:07 AM Ignore ammamama13 Report Abuse and the prices just keep rising.....
emptypockets2008 Champion Author Michigan Posts:14,647 Points:1,306,720 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 12:18:02 AM Ignore emptypockets2008 Report Abuse OK, OK
RNCII Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,470 Points:639,315 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 12:12:07 AM Ignore RNCII Report Abuse It will take a few days to cool down enough to see if it is repairable or not. This refinery was built 1971 and it is one of the newest refineries in the US. Maybe we should build a few new ones so the impact of shutting one down for maintenance or fire, flood is more manageable.
tampacrvdriver Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,336 Points:709,185 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 21, 2012 12:01:40 AM Ignore tampacrvdriver Report Abuse Not good.
Ticoman54 Champion Author Miami Posts:7,026 Points:1,488,020 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:59:59 PM Ignore Ticoman54 Report Abuse OK
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,762 Points:640,725 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:57:00 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse Just another refinery trying to get federal money.
ravenclaw_29 Rookie Author Oakland Posts:53 Points:11,410 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:53:28 PM Ignore ravenclaw_29 Report Abuse OK
abacus44 Champion Author Toms River Posts:3,460 Points:744,490 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:51:34 PM Ignore abacus44 Report Abuse Shyte happens.
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,314 Points:687,725 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:47:39 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse OK
Akcamper Veteran Author Tucson Posts:274 Points:30,555 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:40:27 PM Ignore Akcamper Report Abuse screwed again!
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,294 Points:1,460,075 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:38:37 PM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse I don't believe we need to build more refineries, just quit shuting the ones we have down :(
bif65 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,023 Points:194,880 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:38:26 PM Ignore bif65 Report Abuse ok
lasriog Sophomore Author Texas Posts:144 Points:333,680 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:35:25 PM Ignore lasriog Report Abuse One reason they will not build new refineries now because there has been excess capacity for the past year, which is why they export gasoline and diesel
goldrose1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:10,926 Points:1,921,805 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:35:04 PM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse Wonder what will have to be maintained, as well, and how long it will take to get parts. That is if they aren't too cheap.
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:553,230 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:32:53 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Ouch, sucks to live in the west
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,976 Points:1,109,385 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:31:25 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Why would big oil build a new refinery??? They make record profits with the old ones and then one goes down they make even more profit... So why would they ever build another one, the more down time the higher the prices with less work???
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,210 Points:869,225 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:26:57 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse It is almost impossible to get anything built with the EPA in charge, much less a refinery.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,048 Points:1,728,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:26:44 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse good for them
chrisg55 Rookie Author Indiana Posts:46 Points:10,770 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:26:32 PM Ignore chrisg55 Report Abuse Another reason to raise gas prices..The stealing of our money never stops with these people
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,062 Points:797,360 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:25:22 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Bunch of forces coming together to give us high gas prices, and a new president..
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,963 Points:1,776,570 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:23:43 PM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse Sounds as if we are going to feal some more heat during these next couple of months, and it is not just going to come from the temperature.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,536 Points:1,169,685 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:23:32 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Seems that this article has generated some bad comments about President Obama. However, remember that "Obomabad" was coined at least 2 years ago by - MidNJ!
skyking19 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:1,995 Points:1,695,970 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:22:38 PM Ignore skyking19 Report Abuse Sure
KhelbenArunson Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,425 Points:713,865 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:22:06 PM Ignore KhelbenArunson Report Abuse This is pure spin and nothing else.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,529,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:21:19 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Just a scam by Wall Street investors to steal more with their investment.
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,185 Points:1,928,945 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:20:37 PM Ignore sit Report Abuse OK
chrisg55 Rookie Author Indiana Posts:46 Points:10,770 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:14:06 PM Ignore chrisg55 Report Abuse Refinery was built in 1971, and it one of the newest in the US..Proves what a scam these oil companys are running...Just sucking in profits, and no investment for the future..You can bet that if oil prices ever get low enough, the big oil companies will cry that the refineries are too old and it will takes years to construct new ones, thus driving up gas prices...These people are nothing but crooks.
crowefamily1 All-Star Author Texas Posts:804 Points:297,100 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:12:21 PM Ignore crowefamily1 Report Abuse If Obuma had left well enough alone the oil pipe line would be half way done and they would have began moveing it to a new locations.
danol43 Champion Author Modesto Posts:1,697 Points:585,930 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:08:47 PM Ignore danol43 Report Abuse Like they need an excuse to raise prices some more.
JCS319 Champion Author Tacoma Posts:20,381 Points:2,538,610 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:06:36 PM Ignore JCS319 Report Abuse And since I live just down I-5 from Cherry Point, I'm already feeling it. :(
carrollcreek Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,107 Points:873,970 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:06:15 PM Ignore carrollcreek Report Abuse They do seem to run these businesses differently then other businesses. We do need to build newer refineries. I would think that we would have better technology then 30 year old technology.
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,125 Points:1,879,670 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:05:54 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse Quick raise all prices.
ribowhntr Rookie Author Rhode Island Posts:30 Points:7,840 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:05:35 PM Ignore ribowhntr Report Abuse it figures, when people say it cant get any worse....it does
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,907 Points:1,571,955 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:02:17 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse why not!
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:7,027 Points:1,510,225 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:02:02 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse When was the last refinery build in the USA? Long time ago, time for some new ones. An we can't blame BP as much as environmentalists!
pse91 All-Star Author Calgary Posts:640 Points:556,775 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 11:00:28 PM Ignore pse91 Report Abuse This sounds like greed here we come. If one piece of equipment is the difference between operating or not. Then there should be a second unit in place so when this one is down for maintenance the entire line does not have to shut down. Seems to be a bit hoakem.
ih8op3c All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:525 Points:222,710 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 10:57:49 PM Ignore ih8op3c Report Abuse Bad just keeps getting worse
onegiraffeAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,015 Points:428,425 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 10:57:03 PM Ignore onegiraffeAL Report Abuse Frisk Nobama for matches.
jamieg2012 Veteran Author Sioux Falls Posts:286 Points:11,385 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 10:56:58 PM Ignore jamieg2012 Report Abuse look at their history - seems bp is the place to work if you want to commit suicide and make it look like a accident
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:8,800 Points:1,426,750 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 10:52:51 PM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse Try to replace this unit without interference from enviromental groups...
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,387 Points:527,425 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 10:48:31 PM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse LOL! What scapegoat will be blamed for causing the fire?
RonTheRunner77 Veteran Author Michigan Posts:343 Points:119,115 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2012 10:45:10 PM Ignore RonTheRunner77 Report Abuse I find it odd that if a refinery goes down prices go up, can't the others increase production.