Imperial Oil: More flaring over next several days

Imperial Oil Ltd. in Sarnia said visible flaring should be expected during the next several days as units are restarted following Thursday's "operational issue."

Flares are safety measures intended to safely burn off excess product or material, the company said in a statement.

“We are working around the clock to return our refinery and chemical operations to normal in a safe and effective manner and we understand that the flaring, which is part of the restart process, has been visible to the community,” Rohan Davis, Sarnia refinery manager, said in the statement. “We appreciate the community’s patience and apologize for any disruption to our neighbors.”

St. Clair County officials aired concern at not being notified of issues at the plant following a large flaring incident Thursday.

“We are committed to being a good neighbor," Dave Luecke, Sarnia chemical plant manager, said in the statement. "As we safely manage through this restart we appreciate the patience and understating of the communities within our vicinity including Sarnia, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Point Edward and Port Huron, Michigan.”

The cause of the "operational issue" and a grass fire Thursday remain under investigation.

Imperial has been closely communicating with Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change since the operational issue began, according to the statement.

The company has also been monitoring air quality as a precaution, stating there has been no issues of concern identified since the operating issue began.

Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.