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Marathon Martinez Renewable Fuels facts for kids

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Golden Eagle Refinery
Country United States
State California
City Avon, California
Coordinates 38°02′00″N 122°04′19″W / 38.033363°N 122.071907°W / 38.033363; -122.071907
Refinery details
Operator Marathon Petroleum
Capacity 157,000 bbl/d (25,000 m3/d)

The Marathon Martinez Renewable Fuels Facility is a large industrial site located near Martinez, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. This facility used to refine crude oil, but now it makes cleaner fuel called renewable diesel. It does this by using natural ingredients like animal fat, soybean oil, and corn oil.

This facility has been owned by several companies over the years, including Tidewater Petroleum, Tosco, Valero Energy, Tesoro, and now Marathon Petroleum. It covers a huge area of 850 acres. In the past, it could process 157,000 barrels of crude oil every day.

A Look Back: The Facility's History

How the Area Got Its Name

The area where the facility is located was first established around 1878–1879 as a railroad station. It was originally called Marsh, named after a pioneer named John Marsh. Later, in 1913, its name was changed to Associated, which was short for the Tidewater Associated Oil Company, an early owner of the site. The name Avon, which is also used for the area, comes from Shakespeare's Avon.

Building the Refinery

The refinery itself was first built in 1913 and was known as the Avon Refinery. It has grown and been updated many times since then. In 1976, a company called Tosco bought the facility.

Focus on Safety Improvements

During the 1990s, there were some serious safety concerns at the refinery. There were unfortunate incidents that led to injuries and even loss of life for workers. These events showed that improvements were needed in how the facility was maintained and operated. After these incidents, there was a strong focus on making the workplace much safer.

Changes in Ownership

In May 2002, Tesoro Petroleum bought the refinery from Valero Energy. This purchase also included many gas stations in Northern California.

Important Events at the Facility

In November 2010, the refinery experienced a "flaring" event. This happens when excess gases are safely burned off in a tall flare stack to release pressure, often looking like a large flame and smoke. This particular event was caused by power failures.

In February 2015, a nationwide strike by workers led to the temporary closure of the Martinez refinery. Later that year, in December 2015, another flaring event occurred due to a problem with a steam unit. This caused thick smoke and flames, and people nearby were advised to stay indoors for a short time.

Becoming a Renewable Fuels Leader

In early 2020, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the refinery temporarily stopped making fuel. After several months, the company decided to permanently stop producing traditional fuels and instead focus on a new direction. Many employees were laid off, but some stayed to help with the change.

In early 2021, the facility began converting its equipment to produce renewable diesel. This new fuel is made from natural ingredients like animal tallow, corn oil, and soybean oil. The company partnered with Neste, a leader in renewable fuels. By late 2022, the facility started making renewable diesel, and by 2023, it was operating at full capacity. This makes it the largest renewable diesel refinery in the world!

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