Citgo Reports Louisiana Refinery Back at Full Capacity

Tuesday, October 16th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A Citgo Petroleum Corp. refinery in Lake Charles, La., has returned to full capacity after being damaged by fire on Sept. 21, the Tulsa, Okla.-based company said Tuesday.

The 330,000 barrel-per-day Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex has been operating at reduced capacity since the fire in its Unicracker Unit, which produces turbine fuel.

``Although none of the other refinery units were damaged, we brought those units back up slowly and deliberately to ensure the safety of our employees,'' said Al Prebula, vice president at the facility.

Repairs on the damaged unit are expected to be completed in mid-November.

The company said the fire resulted from an internal detonation in the unit's hydrogen supply coalescer, a filter system. The detonation took place as the sytem was being brought back into service following a routine filter change.

The detonation ruptered a 6-inch gasoline line, fueling the blaze.