What do you do at the Refinery?
I am a Refinery Shift Leader (RSL). I manage a crew of Shift Team Leaders and Operators, supporting each of the process areas in the Refinery. Our key responsibilities are to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the Refinery at all times.
Is a flare part of the safety system in the Refinery?
We have many different protections that are used to keep the Refinery running safely. A flare is a safety system which is used to relieve excess hydrocarbon gas safely. At the flare, the gas is burned in a controlled manner. Flares allow us to maintain our refining equipment at a safe operating pressure.
Is the Refinery allowed to flare whenever it wants?
First, I want to assure our neighbors that we recognize that flaring causes concern in the community. Second, we are governed by a strict set of rules that only allow us to flare when it is absolutely necessary. Notable flaring activity must be reported to environmental agencies such as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Contra Costa County Health Services Department.
Does the Refinery share information about flaring?
Our goal is always to be as transparent as possible. We believe it’s important to keep government officials and the community aware any time our operations have the potential to impact the community. We strive to provide accurate information about what is happening and what action, if any, the community should take. The best way to stay informed is to follow our social media pages (see resources guide on page 4).
Should I be worried when I see a flare?
We recognize that the sight of a flare may be alarming to our neighbors. But we also want you to know that the Refinery takes our commitment to protecting the community very seriously and we work hard to prevent flaring. It’s also important to note that generally flaring events pose no impact to the community.
When do you use the Community Warning System?
There are specific requirements and instructions in place that define when to use the County’s Community Warning System. The alerts range from primarily informational (Level 0 and 1), to a potential shelter-in-place event (Level 3). Most of the flaring events at the Refinery are classified as Level 0 or 1, which do not require any action by the public.
What do you love about your job?
I love working with people. Our Operators are very skilled, talented and eager to learn. I have been in this industry for 18 years – and it has been invaluable to learn about the Refinery from the RSL perspective. Being an RSL allows me to work with people that are in all sections of the Refinery, and to view our refining operation from more of a big picture
vantage point.
What is one misconception about Chevron that you would like to correct?
We truly care about the community and the environment. The Chevron Way outlines our guiding principles. It informs everything that we do, from our behavior, to our approach to tasks, to how we manage the business. Above all else, it places the highest priority on protecting people and the environment. It also emphasizes the value that Chevron places on social responsibility,which is why so many of us are actively involved in volunteer activities in the Richmond community.
