Exxon Mobil secures regulatory approval to restart Torrance refinery in California, US

Exxon Mobil has secured approval from the South Coast Air Quality Management District to restart operations at its refinery in Torrance, California, US, which closed in February 2015 following a blast that injured four people.

The regulator’s hearing board said that Exxon Mobil will have to make a $5m payment in penalties for violations that relating to the explosion and excess pollution that may occur at the time of restarting.

The Wall Street Journal quoted Exxon Mobil saying: "We agree with the decision of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Board and appreciate its hard work and guidance as we work to safely restart the Torrance Refinery."

At the time of the incident, the company was operating units that had not been affected by the blast at the 155,000bpd refinery.

The key fluid catalytic cracking unit of the refinery manufactures gasoline.

After it was shutdown, the plant has been operating at less than 20% capacity and reduced supply.

Exxon Mobil spokesman Todd Spitler told Reuters: "We have installed new safety equipment and updated our process safety management procedures for restarting and resuming full operations."

During the process of bringing the key unit to complete power Exxon is expected to generate more pollutants into the air than normal.

In September 2015, Exxon Mobil signed an agreement to sell the refinery to PBF Energy for more than $500m.

PBF urged the company to demonstrate that the plant is in good condition, before it purchases it.

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Image: ExxonMobil Building, ExxonMobil offices in Downtown Houston. Photo: courtesy of WhisperToMe.