REFINERY NEWS: Utah earthquake has some impact on local refinery operations

New York — Refineries: Chevron Salt Lake City; HollyFrontier Woods Cross; and Marathon Salt Lake City

Capacities: 54,720 b/d; 39,330 b/d; and 61,000 b/d

Owners: Chevron; HollyFrontier; and Marathon

Duration: Began 7:09 am MDT Wednesday

Notes: An early morning earthquake in Utah is having some impact on local refinery operations, with Holly Energy Partners temporarily shutting pipelines associated with HollyFrontier's refinery, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck northeast of Magna, Utah, according to the US Geological Survey. Magna is located about 14 miles to the west of downtown Salt Lake City.

HollyFrontier said its 39,330 b/d Wood Cross facility "quickly enacted measures to continue safe operations of the refinery. [Holly Energy Partners] has temporarily shut down its pipelines in order to safely inspect all assets," company spokeswoman Liberty Swift said in an email. "As a result of these efforts, we do not anticipate further operational disruptions to the refinery or pipelines at this time."

Chevron said its 54,720 b/d Salt Lake City refinery sustained "no known structural damage" from the earthquake.

"We maintain and follow robust procedures in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake," said Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall in an email. "These emergency procedures ensure our workforce is accounted for and all structures and equipment are continuing to function as designed. Chevron continues to supply the market and fulfill commitments to our customers."

Marathon Petroleum's 61,000 b/d Salt Lake City refinery was evacuated as a precaution so that potential impacts could be assessed, company spokeswoman Sid Barth said in an email.

"All employees and contractors are accounted for, and the earthquake had no impact on operations. A thorough inspection of buildings and process units will occur before letting personnel back into the refinery," she added.