Martinez Refining Company said it experienced unplanned flaring for about 30 minutes last weekend.
The refinery said the flaring began at approximately 11 p.m on Saturday.
“Our employees stabilized the issue and flaring ended at approximately 11:30 p.m.,” the refinery said on social media. “In following our procedures, appropriate agencies were notified, and we issued a Community Warning System Level 1 notification, which requires no action by the public. We apologize for the noise and any concern this may have caused.”
The company said flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems, designed to safely manage excess gases through efficient, effective combustion.
Flaring can occur because of planned maintenance or unexpected power failures. It results in thick black smoke and can produce a loud, thunder-like sound, according to the company.
A Community Warning System Level 1 was issued by the company, which did not require any action from the public.
The company operates a community inquiry phone number at (925) 313-3777 for residents with concerns or complaints.
Real time emissions levels are posted on the company’s website.
Flaring at the facility is regulated by the Bay Area Air Quality Management Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The 860-acre refinery and its inventory were sold by Shell to PBF Energy in 2020 for $1.2 billion. The facility can produce 157,000 barrels of oil per day.
In November 2022, powdery “spent catalyst” was released into the community after a compressor failed. An explosion at the plant about two weeks later again caused flaring and an investigation by the Contra County Health, according to a community message from the city of Martinez at the time.
The county hired an independent investigator to test soil samples and determined there was no risk to the public.
In 2023, there were at least 21 instances of release or spills of hazardous material at the refinery, according to Contra Costa County Health.
“Repeated commitments to the community and to regulators to improve the culture of safety at PBF have not resulted in improvement,” Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover said at the time. Glover’s district includes the refinery.
“We intend to hold PBF accountable for making the necessary investments to become a better neighbor,” he said at the time.
This year there have been multiple flaring incidents, including planned flaring that occurred during maintenance work in February and several weeks in April and May.
Bay City News staff reporters Thomas Hughes and Tony Hicks contributed to this report.
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