A geyser of flames emerged from the Woods Cross refinery – here’s why

WOODS CROSS, Utah (ABC4) — Residents in southern Davis County may have noticed local refineries burning a little hotter than usual Monday morning.

Thick black clouds of smoke rose into the sky, like a geyser of fire. Although the unusual sight is cause for concern, HollyFrontier Sinclair, operator of the refinery, said there was no cause for alarm.

HF Sinclair spokeswoman Leslie Ellis said the outbreak was a result of the power outage in southern Davis County the same morning.

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“We experienced a temporary power outage at our Woods Cross facility,” Ellis told ABC4.com. “As a result, we experienced flares.”

Oil and Gas IQ explains that the extraction of Oil releases natural gas Byproduct. This gas can cause dangerous explosions and if it cannot be regulated, it is flared or vented to reduce the pressure in the refinery plant and reduce the risk.

Ellis said Monday's flaring was part of the Woods Cross refinery's safety system, which worked exactly as designed. The refinery stopped the flaring after power was restored to the plant.

MJ Jewkes contributed to this report.

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