Employees at the 157,000 b/d PBF Energy Martinez refinery in Northern California encountered a "leak of hydrocarbon material" that subsequently caught fire during maintenance preparations Saturday, according to an incident response update from the Martinez Refining Company on Sunday evening.

An investigation into the cause is ongoing.

"Upon opening the equipment, the workers encountered a leak of hydrocarbon material," the company said in its response update. "The workers immediately evacuated the area, and the material subsequently caught fire. Both of those workers were transported offsite for medical evaluation and released. The fire then spread within the immediate vicinity."

The facility's fire crew responded and called for additional agencies and organizations to assist with fire suppression. The flames were reduced by 8:30 p.m. to a manageable size for MRC fire crew alone.

"We are deeply sorry for the disruption and concern this incident has caused the community," MRC said in its statement posted online. "After the response is complete, we will thoroughly investigate the incident in accordance with the Contra Costa County Industrial Safety Ordinance $(ISO)$ to identify the root cause and take appropriate corrective actions."

Aside from the required utility systems, the refinery's operating units have been shut down. Flaring continues and intermittent flaring may occur throughout the week.

As of Sunday evening, a public health advisory for Martinez, parts of Pacheco and Clyde was still in effect, according to the region's Community Warning System.

"People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until the health advisory is lifted," according to the Contra Costa Health Community Warning System.

A CWS Level 1 alert was issued Sunday following overflow of "oily water" from a wastewater containment pond, according to a regulatory filing with the California Office of Emergency Services. Overflow was caused by water used to put out the facility's fire and rain from a storm, according to the filing.

"The City of Benicia continues to monitor the ongoing incident involving an explosion and fire at the Martinez Refining Company," the Benicia Fire Department said in a statement Saturday.

The Martinez refinery is one of three remaining traditional refined fuels facilities in Northern California and produces both California compliant gasoline and diesel.

PBF on Jan. 3 said it is planning 55-65 days of turnaround work at the refinery during the first half of 2025, the OPIS Refinery Maintenance Report previously reported. The work will involve a fluid catalytic cracker, alkylation unit and FCC hydrotreater.

This content was created by Oil Price Information Service, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. OPIS is run independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

   --Reporting by Bayan Raji, braji@opisnet.com; Editing by Michael Kelly,   mkelly@opisnet.com 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 03, 2025 10:20 ET (15:20 GMT)

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