Filing: Flare at Valero's 205K-Bpd Houston Refinery


   
   SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) - Valero Refining notified Texas environmental regulators 
on Thursday (2/26) of an emission event at its 205,000-bpd Houston refinery 
affecting the main refinery flare system at the location.

   The incident began at approximately 9:16 a.m. on February 25 and ended at 
3:00 a.m. on February 26, Valero said in an initial report filed with the Texas 
Commission on Environmental Quality.

   The company stated that a third-party power interruption caused a total loss 
of power to the refinery, triggering the activation of the flare system to 
safely manage excess process materials. The Houston refinery is one of Valero's 
key Gulf Coast assets, primarily producing gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel, 
along with other refined products including kerosene, liquefied petroleum gases 
(LPGs), and propylene.

   The flaring event released an estimated 110 pounds of particulate matter, 
which exceeded the permitted emission limit of zero pounds, the report filed 
with the TCEQ stated.

   "Refinery personnel promptly followed established procedures to safely 
stabilize affected units and mitigate emissions," Valero reported. The company 
added that air monitoring conducted in the surrounding area confirmed there 
were no off-site impacts during the event.

   The incident remains listed as open in the TCEQ database.

    




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