Unplanned flaring and power loss at refinery

  • Unplanned flaring at Marathon’s Los Angeles refinery
  • Release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere
  • Refinery currently in emergency mode due to power loss
  • Technicians on site addressing the situation
  • Facility currently offline with no fires or injuries reported
  • No impact on local waterways
  • Investigation underway to determine cause of power loss

Unplanned flaring occurred at Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery, resulting in the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. The refinery is currently in emergency mode due to a power loss, and technicians are on site addressing the situation. The facility is currently offline, with no fires or injuries reported. There has been no impact on local waterways. The cause of the power loss is under investigation.

Public Companies: Marathon Petroleum (MPC)
Private Companies:
Key People:


Factuality Level: 8
Justification: The article provides specific details about the incident, such as the time it started, the release of sulfur dioxide, the filing of a Hazardous Materials Spill Report, and the power loss at the refinery. It also mentions that no fires, injuries, or evacuations occurred and that there was no impact on local waterways. The reason for the power loss is stated as unknown and under investigation. The article is sourced from Oil Price Information Service, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co.

Noise Level: 3
Justification: The article provides factual information about an incident at Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery. It includes details about the flaring event, the release of sulfur dioxide, the power loss, and the response to the incident. There is no irrelevant or misleading information, and the article stays on topic. However, it lacks in-depth analysis, antifragility considerations, and accountability of powerful people. It also does not provide actionable insights or solutions.

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The news article does not provide specific information about financial markets or companies impacted.

Presence of Extreme Event: Yes
Nature of Extreme Event: Technological Disruption (power loss)
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: Moderate
Justification: The extreme event mentioned in the article is a power loss at Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery, which has resulted in the release of sulfur dioxide and unplanned flaring. While there have been no fires, injuries, or evacuations reported, the facility is currently offline and in emergency mode. The power loss is under investigation. The impact is rated as moderate due to the localized economic disruptions, moderate damage to infrastructure, and the potential for lasting effects and recovery required.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com