Martinez Refinery Notifies Public Of Planned, Scheduled Flaring

MARTINEZ, CA — The Martinez Refining Company said on its Facebook page late Wednesday afternoon that at some point during the following 24 hours, neighbors can expect to see flaring from the refinery as part of a planned maintenance project.

The flaring started Tuesday and is part of a maintenance project. The planned flaring is expected daily through Jan. 8 and will be visible from the 680 Freeway and Marina Vista Avenue, the refinery said.

There is also potential intermittent flaring through Jan. 20 that will be visible from the 680 Freeway and Marina Vista Avenue; and through Feb. 5 visible from Pacheco Boulevard.

The refinery plans to issue public notifications via its Facebook page 24 hours in advance of the scheduled flaring. It will also notify the City of Martinez and regulatory agencies.

Dates on the maintenance project are subject to change, the refinery noted.

The refinery said the flaring is safe and 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."

The refinery also said its flare use is strictly regulated by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Contra Costa County Health Services Department, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Black smoke may result from the flaring, which the refinery said occasionally occurs "when an insufficient amount of steam is available to help burn the hydrocarbons sent to the flare."

Personnel usually can adjust the amount of steam flowing to the flare.

There may also be rumbling that sounds like thunder, The refinery said is the result of "the turbulent mixing of vapors, air and steam during the flaring process."

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/MartinezRefiningCompany.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.