Background

Flare systems are designed to provide for the safe disposal of hydrocarbons that are either automatically vented or manually drawn from process units at refineries.  Hydrocarbons must be controlled in a safe and effective manner in the event of an operational upset.  Flare systems gather vented gases and combust them to prevent release directly into the atmosphere. 

Flare emissions are difficult to characterize and can be dependent on a number of factors such as volumetric flow, velocity, vent gas composition, energy content, combustion efficiency, and ambient wind conditions.  'Vent gas' is defined as any gas directed to a flare, excluding assisting air or steam, pilot or continuous purge gas.  Vent gas flow rates to the flare are measured by in-pipe monitors prior to combustion.  These vent gas flow rates do not represent a direct measurement of emissions from flares. 

Two flare Regulations have been adopted by the District since 2003. The District Board of Directors adopted Regulation 12, Rule 11, Flare Monitoring at Petroleum Refineries, on June 4, 2003; Regulation 12, Rule 12, Flares at Petroleum Refineries, was adopted on July 20, 2005 and amended April 5, 2006.

Regulation 12, Rule 11, Flare Monitoring at Petroleum Refineries

The purpose of this rule is to require monitoring and recording of emission data for flares at petroleum refineries.  It requires operators of flares at petroleum refineries to monitor the gases directed to the flare and submit a monthly report containing: 1) the total daily and monthly volumetric flow of the vent, pilot and purge gas, 2) the hourly average molecular weight of the vent gas, 3) composition of vent gas from required sampling, 4) calculated daily and monthly methane, non-methane and sulfur dioxide emissions, and 5) archive images of the flare.

Click here to view Regulation 12-11 Flare Monitoring Data Submittals since 2004.

Regulation 12, Rule 12, Flares at Petroleum Refineries

The purpose of this rule is to reduce emissions from flares at petroleum refineries by minimizing the frequency and magnitude of flaring. 

Notification of Flaring: Refinery owners or operators must notify the District as soon as possible, consistent with safe operation of the refinery, if the volume of vent gas flared exceeds 500,000 standard cubic feet (SCF) or 500 lbs. of sulfur in a calendar day.

Flare Minimization Plans: Flaring is prohibited unless it is consistent with an approved 'Flare Minimization Plan' (FMP).  FMPs shall include, in part: 1) a detailed description and technical information for each flare, 2) A description of the equipment or procedures implemented within the last five years or planned to reduce flaring, and 3) a description of prevention measures needed to perform certain refinery activities without flaring.

The District conducted public meetings near each refinery to review FMPs and receive public comments.  Click here to view the public meeting notice.

On July 16, 2007, following substantial public input, the District approved the FMPs for all five Bay Area refineries.

Click here to view public comments and approved FMPs.