2000-02-15 11:30:03 EST

***KOCH LOSES FRACTIONATOR AT MONT BELVIEU

Koch has been forced to shut down a fractionator at its Mont Belvieu complex after the unit developed "control problems," sources said. Koch officials did not return calls as of presstime, but sources said that the unit, which is rated at approximately 185,000-190,000 b/d, was shut down last night. The unit was running at about 120,000 b/d at the time. Reports indicate that Koch is still evaluating the situation. The fractionator could be down anywhere from a couple of days to upwards of ten days, sources said. Diane T. Miller, dmiller@opisnet.com

-- rocky (rknolls@no.spam), February 15, 2000

Answers

OK, I give up. What's a fractionator?

Jimmy

-- Jimmy Splinters (inthe@dark.com), February 15, 2000.

gee JIMMY, it is something that has to be shut down when there are control problems? :-)

sure seems like there are alot of "glitches" this week--train derailments, water lines, planes, etc. i honestly don't get it, if it isn't y2k. seems like a curse. sort of like my week. see if anyone can top this with their "wierd" week. first, my mother is dying so i went home for five days to spend some time with her. she is not too lucid but while i was there she started doing DEATH BED CONFESSIONS and i discovered my "dad" is not my "dad". my biological father (and my sister's also) was a florist with whom she had an affair. unfortunately he is now dead and has no major inheritances to claim. then i got back home to VA and on valentine's day got hit (pretty much totaling my camry) by a florist's van. very strange indeed. do you think there is a conspiracy here? FTD is like the mafia maybe?

-- tt (cuddluppy@aol.com), February 15, 2000.

Crude oil is composed of a lot of different things which are called Fractions. you strip out the lighter fractions 9K1, K2, gas etc) ant then it goes to a cat cracking tower where even MORE stuff gets broken out of chemical bondage.

Or sumpin lak dat.

Some one want to clean up the theory here??

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), February 15, 2000.

---well, I got nuttin to add besides I thought it was a porno post because of the header topic..........quoteth:***KOCH LOSES FRACTIONATOR AT MONT BELVIEU <----see?

; >)

-- thepeeker (ain'ttellin@embarrassed.argh), February 15, 2000.

Wow tt! With a story like that who needs an inheritance? Write your book NOW.

We'll be watching the shelves ...

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), February 15, 2000.

tt, that transcends coincidence. Freaky.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), February 15, 2000.

Ummm.... Mont Belviue, where?

If this isn't a Gulf Coast facility then the spread of oil problems to parts of the country besides the northeast and the Gulf Coast could be the start of really bad things. What will we do if there are no "havens of normality" from which to draw support?

Right now truckers leaving the northeast can find relief from fuel problems once they hit Ohio. If the Gulf Coast gets hit at the same time, the midwest would still offer haven for both problem areas.

But if Mont Belviue is a key facility for the midwest, then we might be staring a widespread problem in the face.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), February 15, 2000.

tt --

amazing story. I'm sure you're reeling psychologically -- but its better to be hit with cosmic poetry -- after all is said and done -- than just mundane disaster. Best wishes.

>"<

-- Squirrel Hunter (nuts@upina.cellrelaytower), February 15, 2000.

rough story puppy. sorry to hear about that.it is weird, but remember the florist was just a biological donor and your dad is your dad, especially since there's no inheritance involved.my thoughts go out to ya though.

-- terry (tam@home.net), February 15, 2000.

tt-

My bride has a bio father, her Dad (now deceased) and her mother's current husband. Her DAD is the guy who raised her, took care of her, and taught her all she knew of life. He taught her how to shoot, and what to shoot at. He taught her right from wrong, and how things get done.

He IS her DAD. the other guy is simply a father. To be a "father" all it takes is 7 minutes, and some biomass. To be a DAD takes a lifetime.

BTW don't be too hard on Mom. NONE of us know why someone else's tracks look like they do until we get a chance to walk in their shoes.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), February 15, 2000.