(Ecofin Agency) - Comprising a network of Caltex service stations and a refinery, as well as a sizeable supply and trading organization, Chevron South Africa recently resumed production at its Milnerton-based refinery, in Cape Town, not long after one of its most substantial and successfully planned maintenance and safety inspections, which took place from February until March. Engineering news reports.

Chevron Cape Town Refinery’s GM Doug Pottenger explains further that the refinery maintenance and safety inspections are practiced worldwide in order to allow for technology and operational upgrades, which certifies that high safety levels are upheld and refineries run optimally, resulting in fuel security.

“During maintenance periods, supply constraints are carefully mitigated through the accumulation of strategic fuel supply in the time leading up to any planned maintenance and safety inspection,” he says adding that, during these periods, Chevron’s refinery in Milnerton took every possible precaution to mitigate unplanned emissions, which are independently monitored.

The refinery adheres to air-quality regulations both nationally and internationally. In addition to the planned maintenance and safety inspection investment, Chevron injects direct capital of more than R300-million a year into the refinery for general maintenance and operational development, he notes.

Chevron recently invested an additional R450-million into a project that started in 2009, namely the construction of a multipoint ground flare and new 100 m elevated flare that replaced the existing flare. The ground flare is used for day-to-day operations, while the elevated flare is used for abnormal or emergency operating conditions.

 “This investment . . . resulted in employment for 500 local residents and will further improve the refinery’s operational efficiencies,” says Pottenger.

The advanced flare compliance system however will result in safe, quiet and smoke-free gas combustion, thereby reducing its environmental impact.