| 11/26/2023 |
Additional Details provided by the operator: Gas Flare Meter |
| 11/26/2023 |
Corrective actions provided by the operator: Oxy is limited in the corrective actions to eliminate this type of cause and potential reoccurrence of flaring as notwithstanding proper gas compressor design and operation, various forms of mechanical or technical issues can be sudden, reasonably unforeseeable and unexpected which can cause compressor unit malfunctions to occur without warning or advance notice. Oxy continually strives to maintain and operate all of its facility locations equipment in a manner consistent with good practices for minimizing emissions and reducing the number of emission events. Oxy has a strong and positive compression equipment preventative maintenance program in place. The only actions that Oxy can take and handle that is within its control, is to continue with its compression equipment preventative maintenance program for all its facilities and continually work with its compression rental owners during periods of extreme weather temperature conditions affecting facility equipment to resolve those issues in a timely manner, should they occur suddenly and without warning. |
| 11/26/2023 |
Primary Equipment identified by the operator (Other (Specify), with additional details: Compression Equipment Malfunctions > Dimension Area > Several Facilities > Various Causes) |
| 11/26/2023 |
Steps taken to prevent waste provided by the operator: It is OXY's policy to route its stranded gas to a flare during an unforeseen and unavoidable emergency or malfunction, as the part of the overall process or steps to take to limit duration and magnitude of flaring. Oxy personnel are in the field 24/7 and can physically see when we are flaring which in turn are communicated to additional Oxy field personnel. Internal OXY procedures ensure that upon notice of flaring, malfunction gas compressor unit and/or multiple unit shutdown alarms, increased sensor line pressure alarms, etc., field production technician personnel are promptly notified, and are instructed to assess the issue as soon as possible to take prompt corrective action and minimize emissions. Oxy production technicians must assess whether the issue or circumstance is due to damage and repair is needed, or whether there are other reasons for its cause. In this case, there were multiple gas compression equipment issues at several facilities within the Dimension area, which suddenly and without warning, would trigger small intermittent instances of flaring to occur at the Dimension 6 CTB, as the flare at this location can accommodate a higher volume of gas and to protect equipment, environment, and personnel. In each instance in which a gas compressor malfunctioned due to detonation, bad valves, leaking PRV’s, overheating, sensor issues, etc., and shut down, Oxy production techs received compression malfunction and flaring alarms. Oxy production techs responded to each facility alarm received as quickly and safely as possible. Oxy production techs would immediately upon arrive to the alarmed facility and troubleshoot the compressor issues before clearing alarm panels and restarting compression equipment. |
| 11/26/2023 |
Incident updated by the operator, upon the submission of a amendment for flaring of natural gas report. |
| 11/26/2023 |
The (11/26/2023, C-129A) application [288155] was assigned to this incident. |
| 07/06/2023 |
The (07/06/2023, C-129) application [236891] was assigned to this incident. |
| 07/06/2023 |
Additional Details provided by the operator: Gas Flare Meter |
| 07/06/2023 |
Corrective actions provided by the operator: Oxy is limited in the corrective actions to eliminate this type of cause and potential reoccurrence of flaring as notwithstanding proper gas compressor design and operation, various forms of mechanical or technical issues can be sudden, reasonably unforeseeable and unexpected which can cause compressor unit malfunctions to occur without warning or advance notice. Oxy continually strives to maintain and operate all of its facility locations equipment in a manner consistent with good practices for minimizing emissions and reducing the number of emission events. Oxy has a strong and positive compression equipment preventative maintenance program in place. The only actions that Oxy can take and handle that is within its control, is to continue with its compression equipment preventative maintenance program for all its facilities and continually work with its compression rental owners during periods of extreme weather temperature conditions affecting facility equipment to resolve those issues in a timely manner, should they occur suddenly and without warning. |
| 07/06/2023 |
Primary Equipment identified by the operator (Other (Specify), with additional details: Compression Equipment Malfunctions > Dimension Area > Several Facilities > Various Causes) |
| 07/06/2023 |
Steps taken to prevent waste provided by the operator: It is OXY's policy to route its stranded gas to a flare during an unforeseen and unavoidable emergency or malfunction, as the part of the overall process or steps to take to limit duration and magnitude of flaring. Oxy personnel are in the field 24/7 and can physically see when we are flaring which in turn are communicated to additional Oxy field personnel. Internal OXY procedures ensure that upon notice of flaring, malfunction gas compressor unit and/or multiple unit shutdown alarms, increased sensor line pressure alarms, etc., field production technician personnel are promptly notified, and are instructed to assess the issue as soon as possible to take prompt corrective action and minimize emissions. Oxy production technicians must assess whether the issue or circumstance is due to damage and repair is needed, or whether there are other reasons for its cause. In this case, there were multiple gas compression equipment issues at several facilities within the Dimension area, which suddenly and without warning, would trigger small intermittent instances of flaring to occur at the Dimension 6 CTB, as the flare at this location can accommodate a higher volume of gas and to protect equipment, environment, and personnel. In each instance in which a gas compressor malfunctioned due to detonation, bad valves, leaking PRV’s, overheating, sensor issues, etc., and shut down, Oxy production techs received compression malfunction and flaring alarms. Oxy production techs responded to each facility alarm received as quickly and safely as possible. Oxy production techs would immediately upon arrive to the alarmed facility and troubleshoot the compressor issues before clearing alarm panels and restarting compression equipment. |
| 07/06/2023 |
New incident created by the operator, upon the submission of a flaring of natural gas report. |
| 06/19/2023 |
The flaring of natural gas discovered by the operator. |