Published: April 08, 2009 01:58 pm      

Chevron Phillips had busy 2008

For Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips Chemical), 2008 was a year of overcoming obstacles. From scheduled maintenance turnarounds to devastating hurricanes, the company came through 2008 with great success amid difficult obstacles.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike’s destruction to Southeast Texas, Chevron Phillips Chemical took action,” said Jim Becker, Port Arthur plant manager. “We restored plant operations and we pitched in to alleviate suffering caused by the hurricane in our communities.”

At the company’s Orange Plant, hurricane damage was extensive, with storm-surge water having risen several feet in some parts of the facility. Administrative offices were also damaged as a result of the storm.

After the storm, Orange plant employees began working diligently to overcome damage sustained by storm winds and flooding, “said Gary Piana, Orange plant manager. “As a result of this hard work, the plant resumed normal operation in December of 2008.”

Even before efforts to restore the facilities commenced, Chevron Phillips Chemical immediately donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross’ Hurricane Ike Relief Fund. Additionally, Chevron Phillips Chemical plant employees, as well as those from other area plants and businesses, organized volunteer efforts, such as the Orange and Port Arthur plants’ donation of cleaning supplies, school supplies and other equipment, as a spirit of ìneighbor-helping-neighborî pervaded the local community.

Most importantly, no Chevron Phillips Chemical employees were injured as a result of the storm or resulting activity. Today, both plants are operating at normal production and administrative staff offices have been restored.

Throughout 2008, Port Arthur Plant employees and contractors continued to make personnel and process safety their top priority. Plant employees finished the year with zero recordable injuries, working a total of 492,950 man-hours, which included a maintenance turnaround and recovery from the two hurricane related shutdowns. The company’s Port Arthur Plant achieved other milestones during the year. In 2008, the plant exceeded 1.5 million man-hours since the last “lost workday incident” and 600,000 man-hours since the last OSHA recordable incident.

The Orange plant completed four years without an injury during 2008.

As in years past, Chevron Phillips Chemical also continued to support the Orange and Port Arthur communities throughout the year. Working with Buckner Children’s Services and other dedicated community members, Chevron Phillips Chemical once again hosted the annual benefit golf tournament for Buckner. Chevron Phillips Chemical employees, along with other community members, organized and hosted the tournament, which raised over $136,000 for the children of the community. In all, the tournaments have raised more than one million dollars for area children served by Buckner since 1999.

During the annual United Way campaigns, over $100,000 was pledged to local United Way offices.