East Bay Shell Plant Malfunction Leads to Gas Flaring

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA -- An equipment malfunction at the Shell refinery in Martinez resulted in a brief gas flaring incident on the night of Jan. 25, according to Contra Costa County and Shell officials.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District reported on social media just after 8 p.m. Wednesday that flaring had been observed at the Shell facility on Mococo Road, located 30 miles northeast of San Francisco on about 1,000 acres of land.

During flaring, excess gases are combined with steam and/or air, and burnt off in the flare system to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide. Because the unexpected incident was visible from offsite, Shell officials issued a Level 1 alert, according to Contra Costa County hazardous materials specialist Seth Heller.

Heller added that ground level and fence-line meters at the site did not detect any emissions and were operating as they should shortly afterward.

Shell spokeswoman Erin Hallissy told Bay City News the issue was resolved within 20 minutes, but declined to comment on which units at the facility were involved.

No injuries or medical calls were reported as a result of the incident.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via County Fire Protection District