Three hurt working on Exxon Beaumont, Texas small CDU, sources say

By Erwin Seba

HOUSTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Three contractors were injured by a release of steam condensate while overhauling the small crude distillation unit (CDU) at Exxon Mobil's XOM.N 612,000 barrel-per-day Beaumont, Texas refinery, people familiar with operations at the refinery said.

Exxon confirmed the injuries at the company's Beaumont complex, which includes a chemical plant and lubricant oil plant in addition to the refinery, in a statement on Friday.

"Safety is always our top priority, and our thoughts are with the individuals and their families," Exxon spokesperson Kelly Davita said in an emailed statement. "A comprehensive investigation has been initiated to determine the cause."

The three contractors were working on the 180,000-bpd Crude A CDU, which is scheduled to remain shut until mid-March for the overhaul, the sources said.

Crude A is the smaller of three CDUs that break down crude oil into feedstocks for all other units at the refinery. Crude A processes sweet crude oil.

Two of the injured contract workers were taken by helicopter to hospitals, the sources said.