09/21/2026
ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery Restart Progresses After Major Power Outage
ExxonMobil’s Joliet Refinery in Illinois has begun the restart process following a major power outage that forced the facility into a full shutdown on September 13.
The refinery experienced a site-wide electrical disruption that activated safety systems, including refinery flaring. Power was restored later the same day, but the facility could not immediately return to production because refinery units must be inspected, stabilized and restarted in a controlled sequence.
The Joliet facility, located near Channahon, Illinois, has a processing capacity of approximately 264,000–275,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is a major supplier of gasoline and diesel fuel to the Midwest.
During the shutdown recovery, ExxonMobil reported that floodwater overwhelmed a pump and that a containment boom was deployed as part of cleanup activities. The company has not confirmed that the pump issue was directly caused by the original power outage.
Current Status:
Restart activities are underway. The refinery has not yet been confirmed back to full normal production.
Fatalities/Injuries:
None reported.
Cause:
The original electrical failure was linked to issues involving power lines feeding the refinery. The exact sequence of events leading to the floodwater/pump issue remains under review.
Texas Gas Transmission Pipeline Rupture Investigation Continues in Louisiana
A 16-inch natural gas transmission pipeline operated by Texas Gas Transmission ruptured and caught fire near Jennings, Louisiana, prompting evacuations and emergency response.
The incident caused approximately 20 homes to be evacuated while emergency crews isolated the pipeline and secured the area.
No fatalities or injuries were reported. The fire was controlled after the pipeline was isolated, and residents were allowed to return after officials determined conditions were safe.
Current Status:
The affected pipeline segment remains under investigation and assessment.
Cause:
The cause of the rupture has not been publicly confirmed.
Incident Classification:
Confirmed pipeline rupture and emergency response; cause remains under investigation.
Port Tampa Bay Hydrogen Sulfide Emergency Resolved
A hazardous-material response at the Gulf Sulphur facility at Port Tampa Bay has been resolved following a fire and hydrogen sulfide release.
The incident triggered a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby areas and a marine traffic restriction while emergency crews evaluated conditions.
No fatalities or injuries were reported.
Firefighters brought the situation under control, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted after responders confirmed conditions were safe.
Current Status:
Emergency response completed. Investigation into the cause of the fire continues.
Incident Classification:
Confirmed hazardous-material release; no reported injuries.
Transwestern Pipeline Capacity Restriction Extended
Transwestern Pipeline continues operating under a reduced-capacity condition following a compressor-station mechanical failure affecting the Panhandle Lateral.
The issue reduced available transportation capacity, creating a temporary operational restriction for natural-gas movement.
No injuries, fire or gas release have been reported.
Current Status:
Repairs are underway, with the system operating at reduced capacity until normal service is restored.
Incident Classification:
Confirmed pipeline equipment failure; operational impact only.
Tonight’s Industrial Outlook
The largest active U.S. industrial story remains the ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery restart, where operators continue returning units to service after a full refinery shutdown.
The event highlights how critical electrical infrastructure, utilities and supporting systems are to modern refining operations. A short-duration power failure can create a much longer recovery period because each process unit must be safely stabilized before production resumes.
Pipeline infrastructure remains another area to watch, with the Louisiana natural gas rupture investigation and Transwestern’s compressor-related capacity restriction affecting regional energy transportation.
No additional newly reported U.S. refinery, LNG, petrochemical, pipeline, terminal, offshore or upstream incident meeting the major alert threshold was identified in this update.