(FOX 2) - According to Marathon’s Communications Manager, Jamal Kheiry, the reported gas odor will be completed end of day Feb. 4.
Sunday afternoon an additional statement issued:
"Marathon Petroleum has implemented processes at its Detroit refinery to stop a release from a flare that is not functioning properly. These processes have significantly reduced the amount of material flowing to the flare since this morning. In order to conduct repairs to the flare, we are also removing the contents of various vessels connected to the flare. We are conducting this work as safely and as quickly as possible, and we anticipate completion by the end of the day tomorrow, Feb. 4."
The ordor detected was caused by a flare at the refinery that was not properly functioning.
“Marathon Petroleum has determined that the source of the odor is a flare at the refinery that is not functioning properly and needs to be repaired,” said Kheiry. “In order to make repairs, we must de-activate the flare. Flares are safety devices that allow us to safely combust excess materials at the refinery, and we are working on de-activating the flare as safely and quickly as possible.”
Kheiry also mentioned how the company has deployed air-monitoring resources in affected areas, and although there is still an odor, they have not detected any dangerous levels of substances but belives they know where the smell is coming from.
"We believe the odor is largely from mercaptan, a substance added to natural gas to give it a detectable smell."
Marathon also released an apology statement to the community for the odor:
"We will continue to conduct air monitoring on a constant basis in nearby communities as a precaution, and are making our air-monitoring data available to regulatory and emergency response agencies. We apologize for the inconvenience to the community, and we are conducting a thorough investigation to determine what caused this release. Once determined, will implement the necessary corrective actions so that this does not happen again."