Chevron refinery could be back by March

Source: SF Chronicle

Chevron's fire-damaged Richmond oil refinery could be fully operational by March, when the 700 workers replacing pipes and making other repairs are expected to finish the job, the company said Friday.

The refinery's production has been down since Aug. 6, when what Chevron described as a small leak in a heavily corroded pipe touched off a blaze that extensively damaged the crude oil unit.

Some 15,000 residents went to hospitals complaining of respiratory and other problems after a huge cloud of smoke blew through Richmond and neighboring cities. Chevron's abrupt drop in production helped cause a gas-price spike in California, which relies on in-state refineries to produce fuel that meets state environmental standards.

"We are working cooperatively with the city of Richmond to secure the permits we need to repair the damaged equipment and resume normal operations at our Richmond refinery," the company said in a statement. "Our plans are also being reviewed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Chevron-refinery-could-be-back-by-March-4004728.php