Refinery in final stages prior to start up

Local News

December 26, 2012

Refinery in final stages prior to start up

Production could begin in a few weeks

by Bill Mardis Commonwealth Journal The Commonwealth Journal Wed Dec 26, 2012, 07:07 PM EST

Somerset —

“Really soon ... within the next few weeks.” That’s the day-after-Christmas projection on restart of the former Somerset Refinery.

“We’re in the final stages of the checklist. We’re reviewing all equipment and safety procedures. We are being very thorough,” said Missy Shorey, spokesperson for Continental Refining Company, current owner of the landmark oil refinery off Monticello Street.

“We’re in the final steps of the review,” Shorey reiterated. “(Restart) of the refinery should be soon. I don’t have an exact date ... to give an exact date would be premature.”

Continental Refining Company continues to hire employees. “We have 34 on the payroll now,” Shorey said this week. A total of between 40 and 50 job positions will be filled when the refinery reaches full production.

A ribbon cutting and opening ceremony will be held shortly after the refinery is operational, Shorey said. CRC owner Demetrios Haseotes indicated the ceremony will reflect on the history of the industry and its value to this area.

Somerset Refinery, until it closed nearly three years ago, was one of only two refineries in the state. Marathon Petroleum Corporation operates the other facility, at Catlettsburg.

Somerset Refinery started operations in the 1930s. It provided an important market for small crude oil producers in nearby areas of Kentucky and Tennessee, and its affiliated Somerset Oil stations were once familiar sights in the region.

The refinery in 2006 ran into financial trouble because the price of crude oil went up significantly, owners said later in a court document.

Suppliers sued, claiming the refinery had failed to pay for millions of dollars worth of crude oil. The refinery went through several owners; through allegedly broken promises; through bankruptcy; and through property auctions and was finally shut down in February 2010.

The refinery was purchased a year ago by Continental Refining Company (CRC), and the Somerset-based corporation is in the process of restarting the refinery.

Continental Refining has secured a crude oil supply contract with Sunoco Partners Marketing and Terminals LP that will ensure consistent operations.

The contract with Sunoco will assure CRC between 1,500 and 4,500 barrels of oil a day. CRC continues to work with area producers of oil, some of whom claimed they were not paid by a former owner. CRC is currently advertising for area supplies of crude oil, pointing out the convenience and transportation savings by selling to the Somerset firm.

CRC will produce several products including 87-octane (regular) gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and No. 4 and No. 6 (residual) heating oils. At full capacity, the refinery in a year can produce 23,000,000 gallons of gasoline, 6,000,000 gallons of kerosene, 21,000,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 30,000,000 gallons of heating oils

Text Only

Local News

Legendary 'Big Daddy' Garlits to visit Cruise
Go, Big Daddy! Go!

Or, you can go to Somernites Cruise this weekend in downtown Somerset to see “Big Daddy” yourself — that is, Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, a living legend on the drag racing circuit.

Considered by many to be the “father” of the drag racing sport, the 81-year-old 17-time world champion Garlits was the first to set numerous speed marks in the quarter-mile, and is an internationally-known name.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Despite bill, signs are in place to prohibit fishing
Signs and buoys are already in place at Wolf Creek Dam that restrict fishermen’s access within 500 feet above and below the structure.

Tom Hale, operations manager for Lake Cumberland, said already existing buoys and signs warning of hazardous waters have been replaced with new signage restricting entrance into prohibited areas. He said enforcement of the restrictions has not begun because the Corps is still in the implementation stage.

May 23, 2013
Sewell, 103, was well-known Pulaski preacher
Pulaski County and its many churches have lost an old-time preacher man. The Rev. Lloyd “Jerd” Sewell went to rest about 7 o’clock Wednesday night at a nursing and rehabilitation center in Maysville where he has stayed for the past several years. Sewell was 103; he would have been 104 on November 4.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Local relief drive for Oklahoma storm victims underway
If you’ve been watching coverage of the Oklahoma tornado devastation and wondering how you could make a difference, you’ll have your chance in the coming days.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Fishing restrictions near Wolf Creek Dam halted by Congressional action
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Lake Cumberland all better in time for Memorial Day weekend
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Car collides with truck on Ky. 914
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Minor damage reported after local afternoon storms
Pulaski County felt the first wave of strong weather blow through the area Tuesday afternoon, but came out much better for it than those in other parts of the country.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Local schools prepared for the worst when storms strike
News like that out of Oklahoma this week has a way of striking a nerve with the rest of the nation. Particularly, those charged with the care of children — many of which were victims in the Midwestern tornadoes — find themselves paying close attention.

Steve Butcher, superintendent of Pulaski County Schools, said on Tuesday that there was a meeting of his district’s principals that very day — only one day after the storms in Moore, Okla., that killed over 90 people — to address such matters.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
War ration books remind us of difficult times during WWII
With 24/7 news channels spouting horrendous tales of terror and rampant crime, it’s easy to conclude the world has gone to the dogs; that these are dangerous times.

Sadly, horrific events are nothing new. For those old enough to remember World War II, nothing since has matched the impact this global conflict had on the American people.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Refinery in final stages prior to start up

Production could begin in a few weeks

Site Map