The following questions are often asked by our neighbors. If you have any questions that aren't addressed here, please contact us.
What does the Chevron El Segundo Refinery do to protect the environment? How is the Refinery regulated?
Chevron is required to follow numerous federal, state and local laws in order to protect human health and the environment. Petroleum refining is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. There are several local oversight agencies that we interface with on a frequent basis. For example, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has a designated inspector who is in our facility at least weekly to ensure that we are complying with air quality regulations. For more information on our environmental programs, see the Environmental Protection section of this website, or contact us.
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Do you monitor the noise in the Refinery? Why does it sometimes seem like it gets noisier at night?
The Refinery has a Noise Monitoring and Early Warning System that allows us to identify and work to control noise from the Refinery and reduce its impact on the community and effect on our employees' health. The system is composed of microphones and analyzers that send data to a computer for analysis. Should an alarm be triggered, our on-site, 24-hour Battalion Chief has the real-time information to act immediately to respond to and mitigate any noise issues.
Think of the Refinery much like your car when you get on the interstate and turn on the cruise control. That is how the facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no increase in the amount of work performed during the evening hours, but the ambient noise levels around the Refinery drop at nighttime due to decreased air and motor vehicle traffic. Occasionally, there are plant shutdowns and startups that may cause a short-term increase in the noise levels. If you have any questions or concerns about noise from the Refinery, please contact our 24-Hour Community Hotline at (310) 615-5342.
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Why are there domes being installed on some of the Refinery tanks?
All of the six refineries in the Los Angeles Basin have been hard at work installing tank domes to further reduce air emissions. The Tank Doming Project fact sheet explains the project and environmental benefits.
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What is the black gooey stuff on the sand at the beach?
The black, thick deposits that we often see on the beach and floating on the ocean are caused by a naturally-occurring seepage from the ocean bottom called tar. The tar rises to the surface of the ocean and is carried ashore by currents, tides and wind. Geologists believe this tar seepage has been occurring for thousands of years. Read more about Mother Nature's Oil Wells -- including information about tar, its origin and its history in the region.
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Sometimes I smell a natural gas odor coming from outside. Is that the Refinery?
We often receive calls about natural gas odors, when it turns out that the odor is emanating from the naturally-occurring tar seeps in Santa Monica Bay (see question 4 for more information about tar seeps). If there is increased seismic activity, the seeps are "activated" to the point that they give off a strong odor. This is well known by the local fire departments. However, if you have a question about a petroleum odor, it's better to be safe than sorry. Please contact our 24-Hour Community Hotline at (310) 615-5342 so we can investigate the source, or call your local fire department.
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Why do I sometimes see flames coming from columns at the Refinery?
Those are safety flares, which are devices used to eliminate excess pressure buildup in a plant. The Refinery has a total of five elevated flares. Whenever pressure in the plant begins to rise, the material is safely diverted to a relief system where it is burned in smokeless flares. These flares turn hydrocarbon vapors into water vapor and carbon dioxide. Flares are designed for this process, so there is no need to be alarmed when you see them doing their job.
Occasionally, you may see smoke coming from the flares. This may happen during an unplanned shutdown when steam cannot be added to the system quickly enough to eliminate smoking. Fortunately, these events are infrequent and are usually of short duration. If you have any concerns during a flaring event, please call our 24-Hour Community Hotline at (310) 615-5342.
Learn more about what flares do and why they serve an important function within the refinery process.
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What is that white smoke that I see coming from the Refinery? Why does it look darker during certain times of the day?
The white, billowy steam you see coming from the Refinery is often mistaken as smoke. It's merely water vapors and is completely harmless. We use steam as a clean source of power in turbines to drive pumps, compressors and other equipment.
The steam sometimes appears to be dark gray during the early morning hours due to atmospheric conditions and light refraction.
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Sometimes I notice black soot on my windows/car/patio furniture. Is it from the Refinery?
While living in the L.A. Basin certainly has many advantages, all of us have to deal with the consequences of the ever-increasing population. Our laboratory has run tests on this black soot over the years and has found that it is a mixture of dust and exhaust from the thousands of cars, trucks and airplanes that move through the South Bay on a daily basis. Residents several miles away from the Refinery have found this material on their property as well. In the rare event of a refinery release that impacts our neighbors’ personal property, Chevron is quick to notify the affected community and to respond with car wash vouchers or other appropriate reparations. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our 24-Hour Community Hotline at (310) 615-5342.
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How can I do business with Chevron?
Chevron's Supplier Diversity/Small Business program promotes an inclusive business environment for the benefit of the company and its suppliers. The program works with value-added small, minority and women-owned businesses to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions that fuel our mutual growth. Please see the following link for more information: http://www.chevron.com/about/supplierdiversity/.
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How do I apply for a job?
Job applications are now only accepted online. Please view www.chevron.com/about/careers for more information.
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Can I use Chevron Park for an event?
Chevron Park is limited to use by Refinery employees and annuitants.
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Where can I find the nearest Chevron station?
The Chevron station locator can be accessed at www.findachevron.com.
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How can my organization obtain a corporate sponsorship or donation from Chevron?
The Grant Application Guidelines document details our local charitable contributions policies. If you have any additional questions, please contact our Policy, Government & Public Affairs office at (310) 615-5254.
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What's the deal with gas prices?
The ups and downs of gasoline prices have generated many questions for consumers and news reporters. There are several reasons why prices rise and fall. For Q&As specific to gasoline prices, please view www.thepriceoffuel.com. This page also includes links to independent agencies that study the energy industry.
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How do I apply for a Chevron credit card?
You can apply by phone at 800-243-8766) or go online at www.chevrontexacocards.com.
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How can I get a Chevron toy car?
Go online at www.chevroncars.com for the Chevron Cars Store. Be sure to check out all of the kids' activities.
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