On October 29, 2019, a thunderstorm damaged one of the tanks holding light Naphtha. Light Naphtha is a flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture. It is sometimes known as natural gasoline.

The tank’s floating roof tilted, which resulted in an internal guide pole puncturing the bottom of the tank. Thereby causing the storage tank with a 20,000-gallon capacity to leak toxic chemicals into a contained area. However, only 6,000 gallons of natural gasoline leaked from the storage tank. During the tiny leak, naphtha vapors were smelled within the area. You see, the odor threshold of Naphtha is low, so the surrounding area could smell this toxic raw fuel. As a precaution to ensure the vapor did not spread to the refinery’s surrounding communities, dispatched teams with vapor detectors. They reported that their air monitoring equipment detected no emissions in the surrounding communities.

After the storm, the remaining 14,000 gallons and the leaked 6,000 gallons were moved to another containment area. South Hampton Resources indicated that there were no further emissions in the local area. South Hampton Resources directed the clean-up. In fact, they were the ones who continued to monitor the air quality safety checks after the naphtha leak.

In November 2018, South Hampton Resources decided it needs to restructure the company. As such, the company decided to lay off 20% of its workforce. The company at the time employed nearly 175 workers. The reason behind this massive layoff was they need to reduce expenses and cut $2.5 million in annual cost. Oil and gas workers employed by the company for more than 30 years became unemployed. On a rainy day, the employees being laid off were loaded in buses, taken to an area, and given the news. This massive dismissal of employees impacted over 50 honest, hardworking employees.

According to the “Right to Know” network, a service provided by The Houston Chronicle. There are nine hazardous chemicals produced and refined onsite by South Hampton Resources. Those chemicals are:

• Hydrogen
• Methane
• Ethane
• Ethylene 
• Propane
• Butane
• Pentane 
• Propane, 2-methyl
• Butane, 2-methyl

Oil and gas compounds that a refinery processed can be a fire and explosion hazard. Employees could suffer severe burns and other injuries during a containment breach. However, fires and explosions tend to be less frequent at refineries than injuries sustained by small leaks that impact workers’ air quality. Thus, if employees are not wearing appropriate safety gear and respirators. In that case, it can be a health hazard that results in lung damage.
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Long-term exposure to even small amounts of gas and oil can increase the risk of certain types of skin and lung cancers. Prolonged exposure to vapors can also impact vision. Even a tiny quantity of hydrocarbons from oil and gas that enter the bloodstream can reduce the central nervous system’s function. Thereby causing permanent organ damage.

Over the years, South Hampton Resources has a record of minor spills and accidental vapor releases. Some of these incidents may have increased the risk of exposure for its employees on site. While there have been no large fires or explosions at the refinery, there are records of the following toxic leaks:​

1. On January 6, 2014: A liquid spill and vapor release lasted 8 hours and 45 minutes.  
2. On January 29, 2013: A liquid spill and vapor release lasted 1 hour.  

Prior to the spill events, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was conducting an inquiry into South Hampton Resources. The TCEQ conducts inspections and levies fines and legal action against businesses that violate environmental protection laws.  

The inquiry from TCEQ took place from July 26, 2012, to August 1, 2012. You can find the summary of violation information in Docket No. 2012-2018-IHW-E. It reveals the following health, safety, and environment violations at each of the two facilities operated by South Hampton Resources.