Refinery compressor failure sends flames into El Segundo skies

A gas compressor in one of the processing units at Chevron's El Segundo refinery failed shortly after 4:30 this afternoon, sending flames shooting skyward from a closed gas-relief system. 

"There is a lot of gas being vented, and it's fairly dramatic, but it's done in a closed environment and controlled," refinery spokesman Rod Spackman said this evening.

Spackman said authorities do not yet know why the compressor failed, but that the safety system was working.

"It's very visible and a bit of a nuisance," Spackman said.  "We apologize to our neighbors for the inconvenience."

The 1,000-plus-acre refinery is the largest on the West Coast, according to Chevron's website.

--Jean Merl

Comments

[My opinon means nothing]

Oh great, another excuse to raise gas prices.

[Julian B Duron]

The first thing to go in present economic conditions in the business private sector, municipal government, airline and other industries in present economic conditions is the budget for maintenance staff and repair parts or for critical equipment and cost of capitol replacement equipment. These costs are cut every year.
Profit margins in business; it is just corporate greed. But in the public sector elected bureaucrats or Business management play the same game, dangle removal of appointed department head and or managers and supervisors if they do not play along to help the bottom line.

[Bette]

That's why El Segundo smells so bad! And they ruined beautiful beaches. Shameful.