Starting next week, we will invest more than $70 million in the Martinez Refinery for a major maintenance project called a turnaround. The work will last several weeks, with refinery personnel involved, as well as our contract business partners bringing in more than 600 Building Trades craftworkers through local unions. The turnaround will begin by shutting down equipment in a safe and controlled manner, following standard operating procedures. The shutdown process will take several days, during which there will be potential for flaring. Importantly, we have developed a flare minimization plan to minimize or prevent flaring during the shutdown process. Following the shutdown, our employees and Building Trades members working for our contract partners will safely conduct maintenance work for several weeks. Following completion, we will restart the equipment, which will increase the potential for flaring until the restart is complete. We will follow a similar flare minimization plan during the restart that is also designed to minimize or prevent flaring during the start-up process. Flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems designed to safely manage excess combustible gases by burning them off efficiently and effectively. You can learn more about flaring on our website: https://martinezrefiningcompany.com/about-flaring/. Due to the temporary increase in our contract workforce, we expect more vehicles in the mornings and evenings on the following roads near the refinery during the turnaround: • Marina Vista between I-680 and Shell Avenue • Pacheco Blvd between I-680 and Howe Road We have carefully planned this work to minimize impact to our neighbors, including mobilizing resources to address potential traffic impacts. There may also be periodic noise and additional lighting at night associated with the turnaround. All appropriate agencies have been notified of our plans. This message continues our commitment to communicating openly with our neighbors about refinery operations. Thank you for your interest in Martinez Refining Company and if you have questions, please call our Weekday Phone Number at (925) 313-3777 or our After-Hours Phone Number at (925) 313-3601.

About Flaring

About Flaring

What is a flare?

A flare is an integral part of the refining process also used in other industrial operations across the world. They are key safety devices to ensure the safe disposal of excess, flammable gases. Martinez Refinery’s use of the flare is strictly regulated by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Contra Costa County Health Services Department, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Why does the refinery Flare?

The crude oil refining process generates gases that are transported throughout the refinery’s process units via a piping system. Unexpected events that cause our operating equipment, such as pumps and compressors, to shut down can lead to flaring. Such events may include a power interruption, similar to momentary power losses in our home that cause electrical alarm clocks to blink. Flaring may also occur during certain maintenance activities, including startup or shutdown of units to ensure safe operations.

how do the flares work?

When operations are interrupted by an unplanned event or a planned maintenance activity, the refinery experiences a build-up of gases in its pipelines that results in an increased pressure in the lines. The pressure must be safely relieved through approved safety devices that are connected into the flare system. The flare prevents releasing unprocessed, flammable material directly into the environment. The excess gases are combined with steam and burned to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide. This system ensures maximum combustion of hydrocarbons while minimizing emissions into the air. A pilot light at the top of each flare burns continuously so the flare is always ready when needed.

Are the flares safe?

Yes. Although flaring is necessary and an environmentally and technically sound safety measure, our refinery tries to minimize its use.

What is the black smoke?

Black smoke from the flare can occur when an insufficient amount of steam is available to help burn the hydrocarbons sent to the flare. Refinery personnel constantly watch the flare system via television monitors. If needed, they can adjust the steam flowing to the flare. In the rare instance of a sudden release of hydrocarbons to the system, there may be a delay in response before sufficient steam can be supplied to the burning process, and black smoke may be emitted.

What is the rumbling noise?

Occasionally, during flare activity, a rumbling sound much like far-off thunder, resonates from the system. The rumbling that may be heard is the result of the turbulent mixing of vapors, air and steam during the flaring process.

Regulating emissions

The BAAQMD strictly regulates emissions from the stacks and limits the density and duration of allowable smoke. Over time, the Martinez Refinery has taken a number of steps to recover and reprocess excess materials to lessen the flaring. However, when necessary, use of the flare system is still essential to the safe operation of the refinery.

our Commitment

We are committed to safe, reliable and environmentally responsible operations, and we are committed to minimizing flaring in our operations.

Remember – when you see the flares burning, be assured that their role is to keep the refinery operating safely.

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