Asia,
Australia,
Canada,
Carson,
Cancer Alley,
Chevron,
El Segundo,
Europe,
Fawley,
Houston,
India,
Italy,
Iraq,
Irving,
Jamnagar,
Japan,
Lebanon,
Lemont,
Lindsey,
Long Beach,
Louisiana,
Los Angeles,
Manhattan Beach,
Mathura,
Middle East,
Netherlands,
Pakistan,
Richmond,
Russia,
Salt Lake City,
San Francisco,
Shell,
Singapore,
Tavares,
Tesoro,
Texas,
United Kingdom,
Texas City,
Torrance,
Unit Arab Emirates,
Valero,
Worldwide
Long Beach, California, is a key hub for the oil and natural gas industry, featuring several refineries, pipelines, and storage facilities. The city's proximity to oil fields, ports, and transportation infrastructure makes it a strategic location for refining and distributing petroleum products. Here's an overview of the oil and gas infrastructure in Long Beach, focusing on its refineries, pipelines, and environmental considerations.
1. Major Oil Refineries in Long Beach, CA
A. Marathon Petroleum Refinery (Formerly Tesoro)
- Location: Near the Port of Long Beach.
- Capacity: Approximately 363,000 barrels per day (bpd).
- Overview: This refinery, now operated by Marathon Petroleum, processes various types of crude oils, including heavy crudes, into products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petrochemicals. It serves the greater Los Angeles area and the West Coast market.
- Environmental Concerns: Like other refineries, the Marathon facility emits air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Efforts are underway to reduce emissions and enhance environmental monitoring around the facility to address community concerns.
B. Valero Wilmington Refinery (Adjacent to Long Beach)
- Location: Wilmington, which is adjacent to Long Beach.
- Capacity: Approximately 135,000 bpd.
- Overview: While not directly within Long Beach city limits, the Valero refinery in Wilmington plays a crucial role in the region's oil industry. It processes a range of crude oils to produce gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, supplying markets in Southern California.
- Environmental Efforts: Valero has implemented technologies to reduce emissions, including low-NOx burners and flue gas desulfurization units. The refinery is also subject to strict air quality regulations imposed by California's environmental agencies.
2. Oil Fields and Pipelines
- Long Beach Oil Field: One of California's oldest and most productive oil fields, located partially offshore in the Port of Long Beach and around the city. The field has been developed since the early 20th century and continues to produce oil, though at a lower rate than in its peak years.
- Pipelines: Long Beach is connected to a network of pipelines that transport crude oil to refineries and refined products to distribution points. The city’s infrastructure includes pipelines operated by companies like Kinder Morgan and Plains All American Pipeline, which are crucial for moving crude oil from the port and oil fields to refining and storage facilities.
3. Environmental and Health Concerns in Long Beach
- Air Quality: Refineries and related industrial activities in Long Beach contribute to air pollution, emitting particulate matter (PM2.5), VOCs, NOx, and SO2, which can affect respiratory health. Long Beach, along with neighboring communities like Wilmington and Carson, is known for having elevated levels of air pollutants due to the concentration of industrial facilities.
- Water Pollution: Oil refining and transportation activities also pose risks to water quality, particularly in the Port of Long Beach and surrounding waterways. Spills and stormwater runoff containing hydrocarbons and chemicals can impact marine life and local ecosystems.
- Community Health: Residents in Long Beach, particularly those living near refineries and ports, have raised concerns about the potential long-term health impacts of exposure to air pollutants, including increased risks of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
4. Environmental Initiatives and Regulations
- Air Quality Monitoring: The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) monitors air quality in Long Beach and enforces regulations to limit emissions from refineries. Refineries are required to implement fenceline monitoring systems to track air pollutants and provide data to regulatory agencies and the public.
- Emission Reduction Programs: Refineries in Long Beach have invested in technologies to reduce emissions, including vapor recovery systems, flaring reduction, and sulfur recovery units. These efforts align with California's stringent air quality standards aimed at minimizing the impact on local communities.
- Transition to Cleaner Fuels: There are ongoing efforts to shift toward renewable fuels and cleaner energy sources. Marathon Petroleum, for instance, has been exploring the production of renewable diesel as part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requirements.
5. Interactive Map Features for Long Beach Refineries
- Facility Locations: Mark the locations of major refineries, oil fields, and key pipelines in and around Long Beach. Provide details on the capacity, products, and ownership of each refinery.
- Air Quality Data: Include overlays of air quality monitoring data for pollutants such as PM2.5, VOCs, SO2, and NOx to illustrate areas of concern and the environmental impact of refining activities.
- Health Data: Display any available health statistics, including asthma rates, respiratory conditions, and cancer incidence, to provide context on public health concerns in Long Beach.
- Community Initiatives: Highlight environmental and health initiatives led by local community groups, regulatory actions, and corporate sustainability programs implemented by the refineries.
