| 08/09/2024 |
The (08/09/2024, C-129) application [372308] was assigned to this incident. |
| 08/09/2024 |
Additional Details provided by the operator: Gas Flare Meter |
| 08/09/2024 |
Corrective actions provided by the operator: Oxy is unable to take any corrective actions to eliminate the cause and potential reoccurrence of a downstream
third-party owned and operated gas plant’s issues, as this is downstream of Oxy’s custody transfer point and
out of Oxy’s control to foresee, avoid, prevent from happening or reoccur. When San Mateo, and its gas
plants/facilities have equipment issues or greatly struggles to handle the volume of gas being sent to them by
Oxy, San Mateo then restricts Oxy’s ability to send gas, which then prompts Oxy to route all its stranded gas
not pushed into the San Mateo pipeline, to flare. OXY makes every effort to control and minimize emissions as
much as possible. The only actions that Oxy can take and handle that is within its control, is to continually
communicate with San Mateo personnel, who operate the sales gas pipeline, when possible, during these types
of circumstances. |
| 08/09/2024 |
Primary Equipment identified by the operator (Other (Specify), with additional details: Emergency Flare > Third Party Downstream Activity > San Mateo > Gas Plant ESD & Sales Valve) |
| 08/09/2024 |
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, that is beyond Oxy's control to avoid, prevent or foresee, to minimize emissions as much as
possible as part of the overall steps taken to limit duration and magnitude of flaring. The first instance of flaring
was caused by San Mateo’s gas plant having an ESD, which prompted high discharge pressure to occur on the
sales pipeline. The second instance of flaring occurred when San Mateo was able bring their gas plant back
online, their valves shut due to high inlet pressure and San Mateo had to dispatch their own field technician to
open their sales valve. This event could not have been foreseen, avoided, or prevented from happening as this
event occurred with no advance notice or warning from San Mateo Gas Control or their field personnel. As
soon as flaring was triggered in both instances, field personnel engaged in Oxy’s third party pipeline operation
curtailment reactive stratagems and diverted gas to another sales point, storage wells 15-3 and well 23-4 were
opened and the optimizer cut injection rates to wells. This event is out of OXY's control, yet OXY made every
effort to control and minimize emissions as much as possible. The amount and duration of this event were
minimized to the maximum extent practicable to ensure a safe working environment. |
| 08/09/2024 |
New incident created by the operator, upon the submission of a flaring of natural gas report. |
| 06/17/2024 |
The flaring of natural gas discovered by the operator. |