Read about regulations governing oil refinery flares, which burn off certain gases to keep them out of the atmosphere, and view plans filed by local refineries to monitor and reduce them.
Refinery Flare Regulations
Flare systems at petroleum refineries are used to safely dispose of hydrocarbon gases. The flare systems gather the vented gases and combust them to keep them from being released directly into the air.
Air District regulations(31 Kb PDF, 6 pgs, revised 04/24/18) aim to cut emissions from flares by reducing their number and size. The Air District also requires petroleum refineries to monitor flares and file monthly reports.
Flaring is not allowed unless it follows an approved Flare Minimization Plan. These plans describe each flare at a given facility, the equipment and procedures used to reduce flaring, and any other measures needed to prevent flaring.
Approved Flare Minimization Plans
Copies of local refineries’ initial Flare Minimization Plans and annual plan updates are public, except for proprietary information.
2018-2019 (Approved in 2020)
The District approved the FMP Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP Updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the period July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019.
Click on the links in the table below to view the current approved FMP Annual Updates for each refinery and the current FMP Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | 2019 Chevron Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 106 pgs, revised 7/15/2020) |
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| Marathon (Tesoro) | 2019 Marathon (Tesoro) Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 104 pgs, revised 7/15/2020) |
|
| Martinez Refining (Shell) | 2019 Martinez Refining (Shell) Annual FMP Update
(696 Kb PDF, 119 pgs, revised 7/15/2020) |
Martinez Refining (Shell)
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| Phillips 66 | 2019 Phillips 66 Annual FMP Update
(2 Mb PDF, 170 pgs, revised 7/15/2020) |
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| Valero | 2019 Valero Annual FMP Update
(78 Mb PDF, 196 pgs, revised 7/15/2020) |
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Note: These are the redacted versions of the current FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2017-2018 (Approved in 2019)
The District approved the FMP Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP Updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the period July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018.
Click on the links in the table below to view the current approved FMP Annual Updates for each refinery and the current FMP Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | 2018 Chevron Annual FMP Update
(43 Mb PDF, 99 pgs, posted 5/2/2019) |
|
| Phillip 66 | 2018 Phillips 66 Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 131 pgs, posted 5/2/2019) |
|
| Shell | 2018 Shell Annual FMP Update
(770 Kb PDF, 113 pgs, posted 5/2/2019) |
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| Tesoro | 2018 Tesoro Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 103 pgs, posted 5/2/2019) |
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| Valero | 2018 Valero Annual FMP Update
(46 Mb PDF, 91 pgs, posted 5/2/2019) |
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Note: These are the redacted versions of the current FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2016-2017 (Approved in 2018)
The District approved the FMP Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP Updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the period July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017.
Click on the links in the table below to view the current approved FMP Annual Updates for each refinery and the current FMP Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | 2017 Chevron Annual FMP Update
(42 Mb PDF, 87 pgs, revised 4/9/2018) |
|
| Phillips 66 | 2017 Phillips 66 Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 137 pgs, revised 4/9/2018) |
|
| Shell | 2017 Shell Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 112 pgs, revised 4/9/2018) |
|
| Tesoro | 2017 Tesoro Annual FMP Update
(3 Mb PDF, 102 pgs, revised 4/9/2018) |
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| Valero | 2017 Valero Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 175 pgs, revised 4/9/2018) |
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Note: These are the redacted versions of the current FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2015-2016 (Approved in 2017)
The District approved the FMP Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP Updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the period July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016.
Click on the links in the table below to view the current approved FMP Annual Updates for each refinery and the current FMP Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | 2016 Chevron Annual FMP Update
(5 Mb PDF, 80 pgs, posted 3/22/2017)
2016 Chevron Hydrogen Plant FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 28 pgs, posted 3/22/2017) |
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| Phillips 66 | 2016 Phillips 66 Annual FMP Update
(2 Mb PDF, 142 pgs, posted 3/22/2017) |
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| Shell | 2016 Shell Annual FMP Update
(764 Kb PDF, 110 pgs, revised 3/22/2017) |
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| Tesoro | 2016 Tesoro Annual FMP Update
(416 Kb PDF, 61 pgs, posted 3/22/2017)
2016 Tesoro Annual FMP Update Attachments
(617 Kb PDF, 38 pgs, posted 3/22/2017) |
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| Valero | 2016 Valero Annual FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 175 pgs, posted 3/22/2017) |
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Note: These are the redacted versions of the current FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2014-2015 (Approved in 2016)
The District approved the FMP Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP Updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the period July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015.
Click on the links in the table below to view the current approved FMP Annual Updates for each refinery and the current FMP Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | 2015 Chevron Annual FMP Update
(4 Mb PDF, 77 pgs, posted 3/3/2016) |
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| Phillips 66 | 2015 Phillips 66 Annual FMP Update
(2 Mb PDF, 146 pgs, posted 4/11/2016) |
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| Shell | 2015 Shell Annual FMP Update
(883 Kb PDF, 106 pgs, posted 3/3/2016) |
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| Tesoro | 2015 Tesoro Annual FMP Update
(923 Kb PDF, 64 pgs, posted 6/2/2016) |
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| Valero | 2015 Valero Annual FMP Update
(992 Kb PDF, 173 pgs, posted 3/3/2016) |
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Note: These are the redacted versions of the current FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2013-2014 (Approved in 2015)
The District approved the FMP Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP Updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the period July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014.
Click on the links in the table below to view the current approved FMP Annual Updates for each refinery and the current FMP Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | Chevron FMP Update
(5 Mb PDF, 95 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
|
| Phillips 66 | Philips FMP Updates
(5 Mb PDF, 161 pgs, posted 8/3/2015) |
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| Shell | Shell FMP Updates
(973 Kb PDF, 106 pgs, posted 8/3/2015) |
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| Tesoro | Tesoro FMP Updates
(4 Mb PDF, 107 pgs, posted 8/3/2015) |
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| Valero | Valero FMP Updates
(1 Mb PDF, 167 pgs, posted 8/3/2015) |
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No public comments and responses have been received for the above refineries.
Note: These are the redacted versions of the FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2011-2013 (Approved in 2014)
On September 19, 2014, the District approved the FMP Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP Updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the period July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2013. The 30-day public comment period for the current FMP Annual Updates was August 11 - September 9, 2014.
Click on the links in the table below to view the current approved FMP Annual Updates for each refinery and the current FMP Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | Chevron FMP Updates
(4 Mb PDF, 94 pgs, revised 10/16/2014) |
|
| ConocoPhillips | Phillips 66 FMP Updates
(2 Mb PDF, 153 pgs, revised 10/16/2014) |
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| Shell | Shell FMP Updates
(487 Kb PDF, 104 pgs, revised 10/16/2014) |
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| Tesoro | Tesoro FMP Updates
(1 Mb PDF, 107 pgs, revised 10/16/2014) |
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| Valero | Valero FMP Updates
(49 Mb PDF, 170 pgs, revised 10/16/2014) |
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No Public Comments and Responses have been received (for the above refineries).
Note: These are the redacted versions of the FMP Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2010-2011 (Approved in 2012)
On September 27, 2012, the District approved the FMP Fourth Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the 12-month period from July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2011. The 30-day public comment period for the FMP Fourth Annual Updates was July 16 - August 14, 2012.
Click on the links in the table below to view the approved FMP Fourth Annual Updates for each refinery and FMP Fourth Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | 2011 FMP Update Clean Version_Final submittal
(6 Mb PDF, 88 pgs, posted 7/13/2012) |
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| ConocoPhillips | Conoco Phillips 4th FMP Update
(4 Mb PDF, 150 pgs, posted 7/13/2012) |
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| Shell | Shell FMP Update
(463 Kb PDF, 99 pgs, posted 6/13/2012) |
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| Tesoro | Tesoro FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 66 pgs, revised 9/21/2016)
Tesoro FMP Update, Attachment 1
(629 Kb PDF, 41 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
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| Valero | Valero FMP Update
(819 Kb PDF, 159 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
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No Public Comments and Responses have been received (for the above refineries).
Note: These are redacted versions of the FMP Fourth Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2009-2010 (Approved in 2011)
On January 17, 2011, the District approved the FMP Third Annual updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12, Rule 12. These FMP updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the 12-month period from July 1, 2009 until June 30, 2010. The 30-day public comment period for the FMP Third Annual Updates was November 12 - December 11, 2010.
Click on the links in the table below to view the approved FMP Third Annual Updates for each refinery and FMP Third Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | Chevron FMP
(974 Kb PDF, 63 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
|
| ConocoPhillips | Conoco Phillips FMP
(4 Mb PDF, 153 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
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| Shell | Shell FMP
(699 Kb PDF, 95 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
Shell
FMP Updates:
Shell FMP(699 Kb PDF, 95 pgs, revised 9/21/2016)
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| Tesoro | Tesoro FMP
(4 Mb PDF, 108 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
|
| Valero | Valero FMP
(1023 Kb PDF, 146 pgs, revised 9/21/2016) |
Valero
FMP Updates:
Valero FMP(1023 Kb PDF, 146 pgs, revised 9/21/2016)
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No Public Comments and Responses have been received (for the above refineries).
Note: These are redacted versions of the FMP Third Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2008-2009 (Approved in 2009)
On December 29, 2009, the District approved the FMP Second Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments as required by Regulation 12-12. These FMP updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the 13-month period from June 1, 2008 until June 30, 2009. The 30-day Public Comment Period for the FMP Second Annual Updates was October 16 - November 14, 2009.
Click on the links in the table below to view the approved FMP Second Annual Updates for each refinery and FMP Second Annual Update public comments.
| Chevron | Chevron FMP Update
(808 Kb PDF, 61 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
|
| ConocoPhillips | Conoco Phillips FMP Update
(4 Mb PDF, 145 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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| Shell | Shell FMP Updates
(558 Kb PDF, 96 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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| Tesoro | Tesoro FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 108 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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| Valero | Valero FMP Updates
(810 Kb PDF, 136 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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No Public Comments and Responses have been received (for the above refineries).
Note: These are redacted versions of the approved FMP Second Annual Updates and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2006-2008 (Approved in 2009)
On April 17, 2009, the District approved the FMP First Annual Updates after careful evaluation and consideration of the public comments received as required by Regulation 12-12. The 30-day Public Comment period for the FMP First Annual Updates was February 2 - March 3, 2009. The first FMP updates addressed refinery flaring activity during the time period from January 1, 2006 until May 30, 2008.
| Chevron | Chevron FMP Update
(495 Kb PDF, 61 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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| ConocoPhillips | Conoco Phillips FMP Update
(6 Mb PDF, 136 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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| Shell | Shell FMP Update
(694 Kb PDF, 94 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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| Tesoro | Tesoro FMP Update
(1 Mb PDF, 99 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
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| Valero | Valero FMP Update Part 1
(4 Mb PDF, 59 pgs, revised 5/31/2012)
Valero FMP Update Part 2
(3 Mb PDF, 63 pgs, revised 5/31/2012) |
|
Public Comments and Responses(56 Kb PDF, 1 pg, posted 09/03/09) (for all above Refineries)
Note: These are redacted versions of the approved First Annual FMPs and confidential trade secret information has been removed.
2006-2008 (Approved in 2009)
On July 16, 2007, the District approved all five Bay Area refinery Initial FMPs following substantial input from the public and only after it was determined that all available prevention measures have been implemented or scheduled for expeditious implementation. The initial FMP 60-day Public Comment Period was April 2 - May 31, 2007.
The approved Initial FMPs for each refinery and the Initial FMP public comments are provided in the following table.
| Chevron | Chevron FMP
(340 Kb PDF, 59 pgs, revised 1/24/2013) |
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| ConocoPhillips | Conoco Phillips FMP
(4 Mb PDF, 119 pgs, revised 1/24/2013) |
|
| Shell | Shell FMP
(641 Kb PDF, 82 pgs, revised 1/24/2013) |
Shell
Approved Initial FMPs:
Shell FMP(641 Kb PDF, 82 pgs, revised 1/24/2013)
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| Tesoro | Tesoro FMP
(724 Kb PDF, 80 pgs, revised 1/24/2013) |
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| Valero | Valero FMP
(6 Mb PDF, 108 pgs, revised 1/24/2013) |
|
Final Public Comments and Responses(199 Kb PDF, 32 pgs, revised 03/18/10) (for all above Refineries)
Note: These are redacted versions of the approved Initial FMPs and confidential trade secret information has been removed.