Chevron Adjusts El Segundo Refinery Operations After Major Fire to Meet California Fuel Demand

Chevron announced operational adjustments at its El Segundo refinery in California following a significant fire that broke out Thursday night. The 285,000-barrel-per-day refinery, the second-largest in California and Chevron’s second-biggest in the U.S., plays a critical role in fueling Southern California — supplying roughly 20% of the region’s motor vehicle fuels and 40% of its jet fuel.

According to Chevron, the fire has been fully extinguished, and teams are now working to stabilize operations while maintaining safety standards. The company confirmed that an unplanned flare event occurred Saturday as part of the process to balance refinery systems after the fire. “Future intermittent flaring is a possibility as these operational adjustments occur,” a Chevron spokesperson said, emphasizing that flaring is a standard safety measure during such transitions.

Chevron’s swift response aims to minimize potential disruptions to California’s already tight fuel supply. The El Segundo facility is a major hub in the state’s energy infrastructure, and any production delays can influence gasoline and jet fuel prices in the region. Industry analysts are closely monitoring the situation to gauge the short-term impact on fuel markets and transportation logistics across Southern California.

Chevron stated that it is coordinating with local agencies to ensure safety and compliance throughout the recovery phase. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a stable fuel supply for residents and businesses in the region.

This latest incident underscores the vulnerability of California’s energy network, where refinery outages can have ripple effects on fuel availability and pricing. Chevron’s proactive operational adjustments are expected to help mitigate the impact and restore normal operations as efficiently as possible.