China's Sinopec Zhenhai refinery announced that a fire at one of its crude distillation units (CDUs) on Tuesday night was successfully extinguished, with no casualties or injuries reported. The fire occurred during the commissioning of new units as part of a significant expansion project at the refinery.

The incident took place at approximately 9:55 p.m. local time (1355 GMT) on the No. 5 crude unit, caused by a leak. The fire was brought under control and extinguished about two hours later, according to an update posted on the refinery’s official microblog around midnight. While the refinery did not confirm the size of the unit involved, several media reports indicated that the No. 5 unit is a newly constructed CDU with a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day (bpd).

The Zhenhai refinery, located in eastern China, is Sinopec’s largest subsidiary refinery. It recently underwent a substantial expansion, completed in December 2024, increasing its crude processing capacity from 460,000 bpd to an impressive 800,000 bpd. This expansion has positioned the refinery as a vital component of Sinopec’s operations, capable of handling a wide range of crude grades while supporting China's growing energy demands.

Despite the swift containment of the fire, the incident is likely to have operational implications. Media reports suggest that the commissioning of the new units involved in the expansion could face delays. This highlights the challenges of managing safety and efficiency during complex industrial upgrades. However, no official timeline has been released regarding the resumption of commissioning activities.

The fire also raises questions about the potential impact on the refinery's overall output. While the newly expanded capacity significantly bolsters Zhenhai’s contribution to Sinopec’s production, any disruption in operations could momentarily affect supply. Sinopec, one of the world’s largest energy companies, will likely focus on ensuring that safety protocols are strengthened to prevent similar incidents during such critical phases of development.

The successful containment of the fire and the absence of injuries are positive outcomes amidst the setback. However, the refinery's immediate priority will be to assess the extent of the damage, address any structural issues, and finalize a revised schedule for bringing the new CDU online. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures, especially during large-scale industrial expansions.