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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #80785
State Police #05-04992
Accident Date2005-07-25
Report Date 2005-08-01
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: No

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Carbon Monoxide7 h 22 mWest Ops Ground Flare (EPN #9-84)NOYESNO123.0 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide7 h 22 mWest Ops Ground Flare (EPN #9-84)NOYESYES209.0 pounds
Particulate Matter7 h 22 mWest Ops Ground Flare (EPN #9-84)NOYESNO29.0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)7 h 22 mWest Ops Ground Flare (EPN #9-84)NONOYES143.0 pounds
Butadiene7 h 22 mWest Ops Ground Flare (EPN #9-84)NONOYES17.0 pounds
Benzene7 h 22 mWest Ops Ground Flare (EPN #9-84)NONOYES8.0 pounds
Toluene7 h 22 mWest Ops Ground Flare (EPN #9-84)NONONO1.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

An overhead analyzer and a differential pressure meter that normally monitor and control the propylene producing column were out of service for maintenance and inspection. Without these two indicators operations could not effectively tell if the column was operating properly. The production of unspecified product led to flaring. Flaring by GO-1 at Motiva's West Operations Ground Flare occurred due to Shell Chemical's GO-1 operations being asked to discontinue sending material to OL-5 until the process was back in control.

Discharge Preventable - No

The incident was not preventable by Motiva.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Called in by telephone on 07/25/2005 by Shell Chemical. Remedial actions: Material was flared at the West Ops Ground flare. Motiva maintains they were not in control of the incident and that a follow up letter was sent by Shell Chemical.