Fife Ethylene Plant bosses have pledged to complete planned maintenance work at Mossmorran as quickly as possible.
The work was scheduled to begin last Monday but only got under way on Thursday morning.
Plant operator ExxonMobil said the the delay was caused by staff working on ways to reduce the subsequent elevated flaring.
The programme could take five days to complete.
Plant manager Jacob McAlister said: “The actions we have taken have achieved a reduced flare volume, and our team will now work round the clock to complete the work safely and as quickly as possible.”
Mr McAlister added: “As we have always indicated we strive to avoid the use of flaring but there is a need to do so on this occasion.
“We apologise to anyone concerned by the flaring and thank our local communities for their patience and understanding.”
Meanwhile ExxonMobil has welcomed a local MP’s call to strengthen a watchdog group.
Labour MP Lesley Laird has asked Fife Council to consider reviewing and reconstituting the Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay liaison committee, including the appointment of an independent chairperson.
Stuart Neil, the external affairs manager at Fife Ethylene Plant, welcomed the move. He has also raised the issue with the council’s co-leaders and chief executive.
“We believe this group has a vital role to play in ensuring the public has access to the facts,” he said.
