No offsite impacts from chemical leak at Richmond refinery, Chevron says

By Robert Salonga
Contra Costa Times

Posted: 07/01/2009 01:52:16 PM PDT

Updated: 07/02/2009 06:19:38 AM PDT

RICHMOND — A leak of about 30 barrels' worth of refinery byproducts at Chevron's Richmond refinery Tuesday afternoon was quickly contained and posed no hazard to the site or surrounding area, the corporation said Wednesday.

A flange leak was reported on a feedstock line about 3:45 p.m. as it was being taken down for repairs, said Chevron spokesman Brent Tippen. The feedstock, consisting of propylene tetramer, a chemical produced during the oil refinery process whose uses include plastic production, was ushered into a pipeline containment area.

There were no odors or offsite impacts, Tippen said, nor were there any interruptions to refinery operations.