LyondellBasell Update on Refining Operations

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May 20, 2010, 05:10 ET

HOUSTON, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- LyondellBasell today announced that it expects a crude distillation unit at its Houston refinery to be out of service for approximately four weeks to repair damage sustained in a fire on May 17. No other operating units were damaged in the fire, which was extinguished in less than one hour, and there were no injuries.

The refinery has two crude distillation units designed to process very heavy crude oil. One distillation unit will operate while the unit involved in the fire is being repaired. Each unit is capable of processing approximately 50 percent of the refinery's stated crude consumption capacity of 268,000 barrels per day on a calendar day basis. The refinery's configuration enables LyondellBasell to maintain production of finished fuel products through the operation of downstream processing units while crude distillation units are out of service.

LyondellBasell is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies. The company manufactures products at 59 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels. More information about LyondellBasell can be found at www.lyondellbasell.com.