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PHW · Manufacturing · 2026-08-25

ExxonMobil Chemical Limited fined £267,000 after repeated undetected hydrocarbon leaks from corroded pipework

Fife, Fife · Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court

What happened

Five leaks of extremely flammable hydrocarbons occurred between February 2018 and September 2019 at the Fife Ethylene Plant, all caused by corrosion under insulation. The company's inspection system for insulated pipework was inadequate, relying on visual checks that often failed to detect the corrosion.

Injuries: No injuries or catastrophic incidents resulted; HSE said this was down to good fortune rather than good management.

The breach

Regulation 6(2) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998; section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The sentence

  • Fine: £267,000
HSE inspector

“At a site run by one of the biggest energy companies in the world, what our inspectors found beggars belief.”

What would have prevented it

Visual inspection alone is not adequate for detecting corrosion under insulation on pressurised pipework; a proper risk-based inspection regime is needed.

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Source: HSE press release, Six-figure fine for ExxonMobil after five leaks of extremely flammable hydrocarbons at Fife chemical plant