Flare, Smoke From Joliet Refinery Nothing To Worry About: Exxon

CHANNAHON, IL — Black smoke coming from the Joliet Refinery on Thursday is nothing to worry about, according to Exxon Mobil. The smoke was part of what is called a process upset.

Tricia Simpson, the Midwest public affairs manager for Exxon Mobil, told Patch that the process upset is the refinery releasing pressure and is part of normal operations.

The flare and black smoke were going on for at least five hours, said Mark Ehrsam, who sent Patch a video of the refinery (see below).

Channahon police said the event included "an unusual flare and black smoke," in an alert, adding there was no hazard.

It rarely happens, Simpson told Patch, but since there was visible black smoke, Exxon Mobil decided to call Channahon police and tell them it is normal.

Since the refinery works at such high heat and intensity, such releases are meant to relieve energy until normal operations can resume. "Everything worked the way exactly it's supposed to," Simpson told Patch.