Revise API RP 939-C: Guidelines for Avoiding Sulfidation (Sulfidic) Corrosion Failures in Oil Refineries to establish minimum requirements for preventing catastrophic rupture of low-silicon carbon steel piping. Smoke bellows from a fire at the Chevron refinery after a 2012 explosion in Richmond. The Chevron Richmond long wharf at the Chevron refinery in Richmond in February 2021. Will Bay Bridge go dark forever? Chase has degrees in journalism and history from Loyola University Chicago. His first newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy. I posted the wrong incident report above. Investigators with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board reported that Chevron had ignored warnings about corrosion in the pipe that eventually caused the fire. He has worked as an online coordinator and, before that, a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines. Anyone with questions may call the refinerys general number at 510-242-2000, ask about specific noises or odors at 510-242-2127, or email richmondrefineryinfo@chevron.com. Smoke from a Chevron oil refinery fire fills the sky above Richmond in 2012. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. We coexist with industry in the area, which is why we have high regulatory standards. 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Palo Alto: Woman killed in single-vehicle motorcycle crash, California extends Bay Area tax deadlines to match IRS, Two hospitalized after man seen walking while on fire at UC Berkeley, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. This oversight committee shall: a. The county has asked Chevron to provide a report within three business days explaining what triggered the incident. Why are some parts of CA so much foggier than others? This process shall use established qualitative, quantitative, and/or semi-quantitative methods such as Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA). A market analysis and benchmarking review should be periodically conducted to ensure the compensation system remains competitive with California petroleum refineries. Develop a tracking system to monitor the progress of implementing these selected practices and guidance to completion. Anyone with questions may call the refinerys general number at 510-242-2000, ask about specific noises or odors at 510-242-2127, visit the refinerys air-monitoring site athttps://www.richmondairmonitoring.orgor e-mailrichmondrefineryinfo@chevron.com. The company's refinery in El Segundo also had flaring activity just two days prior after a compressor went down, KTLA reported on August 9. A decade after the Richmond refinery explosion, protesters march to end fossil fuel dependence, Report: Chevron Richmond refinery fire response flawed, Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area. We need a plan for a full, coordinated phaseout of oil refineries by 2045, so that we can put in place a strong safety net for fossil fuel workers, invest in developing healthy local economies with good family supporting jobs, and clean up toxic sites.. Activists will be led by Richmond Our Power Coalition, made up of local community organizations that fight for climate justice. This method shall include monitoring of these practices and guidance at a refining system level and at the refinery level. iv. Systematic analysis and documentation of all major hazards and safeguards, using the hierarchy of controls to identify hazards and significantly reduce risks to a goal of as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) or similar; ii. RICHMOND An equipment issue Tuesday at the Chevron refinery led to clouds of black smoke billowing into Bay Area skies. Require a thorough review of the comprehensive process hazard an alysis by technically competent regulatory personnel; c. Require preventative audits and preventative inspections by the regulator to ensure the effective implementation of the comprehensive process hazard analysis (PHA); d. Require that all safety codes, standards, employer internal procedures and recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) used in the implementation of the regulations contain adequate minimum requirements; e. Require mechanisms for the regulator, the refinery, and workers and their representatives to play an equal and essential role in the direction of preventing major incidents. The refinery apparently issued a level-one alert, one of the lowest on the countys community warning system scale, with no need for residents to shelter in place. The company also linked to a flaring fact sheet for more information. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! RICHMOND An unspecified equipment issue at the Chevron refinery led to flaring Thursday evening, officials said, with smoke visible for miles around the facility. How 'deluded' Putin thought Ukraine invasion would break up Nato & have West bowing down to Russia, leaked docs show, Man had sex with his wife on bollard after fuming neighbour placed it in cul-de-sac in protest during parking row, 'Bubbly' nightclub worker, 31, killed after her Audi crashed into a bridge on her way home from work, Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department said on Twitter, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider. Require an oversight committee comprised of the regulator, the company, the companys workforce and their representatives, and community representatives. Chevron Richmond refinery flare visible in East, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Info stolen in Oakland ransomware attack set to be released, Map: Track this weekends rain in the Bay Area, Chevron Richmond refinery flare visible in East Bay. George Kelly is a breaking news reporter for the Bay Area News Group's East Bay Times and Mercury News. 2012-03-I-CA, December 2013), Working Papers on the Safety Case Regulatory Model and its Attributes, Chevron Regulatory Report Draft for Public Comment, In Wake of Chevron 2012 Pipe Rupture and Fire in Bay Area CSB Draft Report Proposes Overhaul of Refinery Industry Regulatory System in California and Urges Adoption of the Safety Case Regime to Prevent Major Chemical Accidents, Chairperson Moure-Eraso Applauds Interagency Working Group on Refinery Safety Draft Report, Statement from Chairperson Rafael Moure-Eraso Applauding the Recent Action by the City of Richmond, California to Adopt CSB Safety Recommendations, CSB Board Members Approve Chevron Richmond Refinery Fire Interim Investigation Report, CSB Releases Narrated Safety Video Containing Detailed Animation of August 6, 2012 Chevron Refinery Accident, In Cooperation with Cal OSHA, CSB Releases Technical Report on Corrosion Found in Chevron El Segundo Refinery Crude Unit Piping, CSB Draft Interim Report on 2012 Chevron Fire Notes Company Failed to Apply Inherently Safer Design That Could Have Prevented the Accident, Chevron Draft Interim Report for Public Comment, Testimony of Don Holmstrom and Dan Tillema, P.E., U.S. Chemical Safety Board, CSB Investigators to Release New Findings and Analysis of Regulatory Oversight Related to the August 6, 2012, Chevron Accident TODAY April 5, 2013, at East Bay Legislators' Public Inquiry, CSB Announces April 19 Public Meeting in Richmond, California, In Cooperation with Cal OSHA CSB Releases Technical Report on Chevron 2012 Pipe Rupture and Fire Extensive Sulfidation Corrosion Noted, CSB to Hold Public Meeting Tonight, January 15, 2014, in Richmond, California - Webcast and Public Comment Available, Statement of CSB Chairperson Dr. Rafael Moure Richmond City Council Meeting on September 11, 2012, CSB Releases Photos of Vapor Cloud Involved in August 6 Accident at Chevron Refinery in Richmond, CA, CSB to Pursue Full Investigation of August 6 Fire at Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California, CSB Deploying to Fire and Explosion at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond California, Drivers of Critical Chemical Safety Change, Process Safety Management for the 21st Century, Emergency Planning and Response (Preparedness), Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received, Board of Supervisors, Contra Costa County, CA, California Air Quality Management Divisions, California Environment Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), Governor and Legislature of the State of California, Open - Acceptable Response or Alternate Response, Mayor and City Council, City of Richmond, CA, CSB Public Meeting in Richmond, California, Metallurgical Evaluation of Pipe Samples from the Chevron USA Inc., El Segundo Refinery, Metallurgical Evaluation from August 6, 2012, Chevron Refinery Explosion and Fire, CSB November 17, 2012, letter to the City of RIchmond, Rafael Moure-Eraso Written Senate Testimony 3.6.14, CSB Responses to Public Comments on Chevron Regulatory Report Draft, Draft Regulatory Report as of May 1, 2014, Chevron Regulatory Report Draft for Public Comment 12.16.13, Chevron Regulatory Public Meeting Final Presentation January 15, 2014, Testimony of Greg Karras, Senior Scientist, Communities for a Better Environment, Statement of Dr. Paul Amyotte, P.Eng at the CSB April 19 Public Hearing, Transcript from January 28, 2015 Final Public Meeting, April 19, 2013, Public Meeting Transcript, Website design & development by Americaneagle.com. Revise API RP 2001: Fire Protection in Refineries to require users to develop a process fluid leak response protocol specific to their own facility that must be followed when a process fluid leak is discovered. "This is causing smoke to come out from the flares. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Chevron Richmond refinery smoke visible in East, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Map: Track this weekends rain in the Bay Area, Chevron Richmond refinery smoke visible in East Bay. Develop an auditable process to be available for all recommended turnaround work items necessary to address mechanical integrity deficiencies or inspection recommendations that are denied or deferred. Richmond Fire added that there was no response from their department needed and that no actions from the public were necessary in response to the event. https://t.co/iHVEEKjZR0, Ted Goldberg (@TedrickG) August 10, 2021, The Air District is closely monitoring the current incident at the #Chevron Refinery in Richmond. At a minimum, this program shall: a. 1 min read There were explosions overnight in the Russian city of Tuapse. The fire is at an unoccupied warehouse in. CBE Richmond Organizer, Andres Soto and Senior Scientist, Greg Karras, are featured on KPFA's morning show Up Front regarding the Chevron refinery explosion and fire. The damage mechanism hazard review shall identify potential process damage mechanisms and consequences of failure, and shall ensure safeguards are in place to control hazards presented by those damage mechanisms. Recommend users to incorporate the following actions into their leak response protocol: a. According to a hazardous materials spill report filed soon after the release with the states office of emergency services and prominently shared by a KQED reporters social-media post, an unplanned upset occurred releasing an unknown amount of [sulfur dioxide] into the atmosphere. His first newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy. Then the smoke blackened the sky, blanketing an Urban Tilth garden that local youth had been growing food in all summer with grimy, gooey black soot.. According to @CCCounty HazMat there has been flaring at Chevron due to a process upset. Around 6:25 p.m., reports of smoke plumes over the refinery drew multiple posts to social media. Lots of sirens. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Chevron refinery is on fire again?!!?" When you operate industry in an urban environment, there needs to be precautions to protect life.. Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Palo Alto: Woman killed in single-vehicle motorcycle crash, California extends Bay Area tax deadlines to match IRS, Two hospitalized after man seen walking while on fire at UC Berkeley, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. This review shall be an integral part of the process hazard analysis (PHA) cycle and shall be conducted on all covered processes, piping circuits and equipment. someone wrote on Twitter alongside a photo of the site with an alarming amount of smoke rising above it. Reports of smoke plumes over the refinery drew multiple posts to social media. At the time, the tragedy dominated the airwaves. Review and comment on the third party expert report developed from the survey; c. Oversee the development and effective implementation of action items to effectively address identified process safety culture issues; and. According to @CCCounty HazMat there has been flaring at Chevron due to a process upset. On Aug. 6, 2012, a hydrocarbon release and massive fire occurred at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond, Calif. We need state authority to increase @AirDistrict fine& penalties. Incorporate as a normative reference API RP 939-C: Guidelines for Avoiding Sulfidation (Sulfidic) Corrosion Failures in Oil Refineries; b. Ensure the effective implementation of the damage mechanism hazard review program (2012-03-I-CA-R1 and 2012-03-I-CA-R2), so that all necessary mechanical integrity work at the Chevron Richmond Refinery is identified and recommendations are completed in a timely way. Some families brought small children, including one woman with two children on the back of her bicycle that sported a cardboard sign written in a childs hand that read: We need clean air to breathe. For all California oil refineries, identify and require the reporting of leading and lagging process safety indicators, such as the action item completion status of recommendations from damage mechanism hazard reviews, to state and local regulatory agencies that have chemical release prevention authority. Participate in the joint regulatory program described in recommendation 2012-03-I-CA-R11. The periodic process safety culture report shall be made available to the plant workforce. The CSB released three investigation reports into this incident - an Interim Report, a Regulatory Report and a Final Report. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) will convene a public meeting on January 28, 2015, starting at 6:00 p.m. at 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA, 94804. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board. Anyone with questions may call the refinerys general number at 510-242-2000, ask about specific noises or odors at 510-242-2127, visit the refinerys air-monitoring site at https://www.richmondairmonitoring.org or e-mail richmondrefineryinfo@chevron.com. Develop a method to assign accountability at Chevron to determine whether any whether any new Energy Technology Company (ETC) recommended program or industry best practice, such as API guidance must be followed to ensure process safety or employee personal safety. He is a graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! James Wiseman, leadership genius? Im really frustrated how frequent their flaring is occurring. Im really frustrated how frequent their flaring is occurring. Inspection may be performed through ultrasonic thickness measurements to establish corrosion rates for each component, destructive laboratory analysis, or other methods. A market analysis and benchmarking review should be periodically conducted to ensure the compensation system remains competitive with California petroleum refineries. In that report, posted to social media by KQED reporter Ted Goldberg, refinery staff said the incident began at 5:40 p.m., with no injuries or fatalities and no reported evacuation. Around 6:25 p.m., reports of smoke plumes over the refinery drew multiple posts to social media. Require the analysis and incorporation of applicable industry best practices and inherently safer design to the greatest extent feasible into this review; and. Describe the potential for increased rates of sulfidation corrosion occurring in low-silicon carbon steel in Section 4.4.2.3 Critical Factors; b. George Kelly is a breaking news reporter for the Bay Area News Group's East Bay Times and Mercury News. "That is more than the number of flaring operations conducted by all other Bay Area refineries combined so far in 2021. From my front porch on 12th Street, I could see the fire, Robinson said. His first newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy. We expect industry to operate at the highest level with no room for error, because error causes harm to life, Gioia told this news organization last February. For piping circuits identified to meet the specifications detailed in 2012-03-I-CA-R26(a), require users to either (1) enact a program to inspect every component within the piping circuit once, known as 100 percent component inspection (per the requirements established pursuant to recommendation 2012-03-I-CA-R28(c)), or (2) replace the identified at-risk carbon steel piping with a steel alloy that is more resistant to sulfidation corrosion. b. Discovery of invasive mosquitoes in Martinez prompts action, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, JV talked about health struggles before disappearance, Building a CA dream home might be cheaper than buying, 11 displaced after fire breaks out at Union City, Rare Sighting: Bald eagles spotted in Alameda County, Martinez residents warned not to eat food grown in, Video: Benches clear in fight at high school hoops, Timeline of events following JVs disappearance, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Following an investigation, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a joint report with Cal/OSHA pointing to sulfidation corrosion as the cause of the incident. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. According to this news organizations reporting, the refinery saw multiple flaring reports last year, including two straight days in February 2020 and an August 2020 episode. These improvements shall include engaging a diverse team of qualified personnel to perform a documented damage mechanism hazard review. These circuits have the potential to contain carbon steel components that were not manufactured to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A106 specification and may contain less than 0.10 weight percent silicon content.