OilVoice - Total Reports Serious Accident at the Carling-Saint-Avold Plan

Total Reports Serious Accident at the Carling-Saint-Avold Plan

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

A serious accident occurred today, Wednesday 15 July at 3:15 p.m. at the Total Petrochemicals France plant at Carling-Saint-Avold. At this time eight victims have been identified. To the great regret of the Group, two people sadly lost their life in the accident and six others are in hospital.

The accident occurred during operations to restart the steamcracker* which was shut down following the recent storms. In the course of these operations, a steam generator exploded. The causes of the explosion are not yet known.

The plant has been made safe and there is no risk of pollution.

A victim support group is being set up to provide information and counseling to the victims’ families and colleagues.

The Group is profoundly distressed by this accident and expresses its heartfelt condolences and sympathy to all the victims and their families.

* Unit that produces petrochemical feedstocks, such as ethylene and propylene.