CPC faces fine over Dalin refinery flare pollution

Kaohsiung, June 22 (CNA) CPC Corp. Taiwan will be fined up to NT$5 million (US$168,845) for violating the Air Pollution Control Act after a flare stack at its Dalin refinery in Kaohsiung released excessive pollutants early Sunday morning, according to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB).

The EPB said the incident was triggered by a compressor trip at the refinery's heavy oil catalytic cracking unit (M33), which occurred at 2:43 a.m. and was flagged by its AI cloud monitoring system.

The failure of compressor C-1101 led to an emergency shutdown and the diversion of process gases to the flare stack, resulting in significant particulate emissions, the bureau added.

The bureau said the event constituted a breach of pollution regulations and would result in a fine ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$5 million.

A local resident captured the flare and smoke on video and posted it to social media, prompting widespread concern.

CPC issued a statement on Sunday claiming the excessive flaring was part of a pressure release at a heavy oil cracking unit that had already been shut down according to standard procedures.

The company said the shutdown occurred Saturday afternoon and had been reported to authorities.