Firms Help Create Safer Refineries

Gage-Babcock & Associates and Mittelhauser Corp., the consultants who wrote a harshly critical safety report on the troubled Mobil Oil refinery in Torrance, are experienced in assessing accident-plagued refineries.

In 1980, Ventura County hired the two consulting firms to evaluate the USA Petrochem refinery, which--much like the Torrance refinery--had experienced a series of fires and explosions in the mid- and late 1970s. One worker was killed and several were injured.

After analyzing the Ventura facility, Gage-Babcock, an Illinois-based firm that specializes in fire protection, and Mittelhauser, a Laguna Hills-based company that specializes in refinery safety and environmental management, recommended a number of equipment improvements and changes in safety procedures.

After most of the recommendations were adopted and until the refinery closed in 1984, there were no more serious incidents at the plant, said Steve Wood, the county’s chief planner. The refinery was closed after a residents group obtained an injunction preventing the plant from expanding, Wood said.

Both Gage-Babcock and Mittelhauser have worked for Mobil. They have also worked separately or as a team as consultants for Chevron, Shell, and Union Oil.

Gage-Babcock, which has offices around the country and in Canada, has been in business for 36 years. Its list of clients also includes the U.S. Regulatory Commission, the Army Corps of Engineers and NASA.

Mittelhauser, with 11 years experience, counts Exxon, Marathon Petroleum and Texaco Refining and Marketing among its clients.

Torrance officials hired Gage-Babcock in May after a series of explosions, fires and accidents at the Mobil refinery led to three deaths and several injuries. Gage-Babcock then hired Mittelhauser to provide its refinery expertise. Mobil agreed to pay $88,000 for the study.