CITGO Safeguards Future with Proactive Worst Case Drill

SULPHUR, La., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The CITGO Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex recently conducted a Worst Case Drill to prepare and train employees, as well as partner and coordinate with local, state and federal agencies in response to possible worst case situations.

CITGO executes this drill as part of an ongoing commitment to emphasize the critical importance of safety in its daily operations and culture. The exercise includes a pretend worst case scenario at the refinery and isn't known to the participants until the first day of the drill. Employees and partners must respond to the situation in a simulated environment at the refinery over the course of three days. Refinery protocol and procedures are actively followed in real-time during the simulation.

Jerry Dunn, CITGO Vice President and General Manager, Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex, said the Worst Case Drill creates an environment for CITGO to practice how to handle real-life, tough situations. "Safety at CITGO is paramount. We can't thank our local agencies enough for their support during the drill, as well as their commitment to helping us provide the safest operations for our employees and the community."

CITGO partnered with agencies including the United States Coast Guard, Louisiana State Police, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and more.

Commander Dan Cost, U.S. Coast Guard said the Coast Guard greatly appreciates the opportunity to partner with CITGO during its Worst Case Drill. "These training evolutions are invaluable for bolstering incident response coordination, thereby enhancing our ability to safeguard the community, protect the environment and restore maritime commerce if there were to be an actual incident," he said.

CITGO holds a drill annually, with every third year being a Worst Case Drill. Employees and leaders from other CITGO refineries traveled to Lake Charles to join in on the drill scenario to further expand their knowledge in emergency preparedness. Those participating in the drill received an unknown situation in which they responded to by following procedures.

About CITGO

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the sixth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 5,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.citgo.com.

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SOURCE CITGO