Valero shuts down California refinery units for repairs

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, May 21 -- Valero Energy Corp, San Antonio, has shut down units at two California refineries for repairs, temporarily reducing production of 90,000 b/d total of CARB (California Air Resources Board) gasoline.

Repairs to the heater in the alkylation unit at Valero's Wilmington refinery are under way, a company spokesperson said, and the unit is expected to be back in service on May 25. Wilmington CARB gasoline production loss is estimated at about 50,000 b/d.

The company said it also is replacing a gas turbine in the hydrocracker at its Benicia facility and estimates that the unit will be back in service June 5 or 6. CARB gasoline production loss at Benicia is estimated at about 40,000 b/d.