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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #85556
State Police #06-00688
Accident Date2006-02-02
Report Date 2006-02-02
Follow-up Date 2006-08-31
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Flammable Gas2 h 20 mAlkylation Unit Utililty Column PV-1108NONOYES6,722.0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)2 h 20 mAlkylation Unit Utililty Column PV-1108NONOYES6,722.0 pounds
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs)2 h 20 mAlkylation Unit Utililty Column PV-1108NONONO6,722.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

A flammable gas leak was identified in Motiva's Alkylation unit on Utility Column PV-1108. While performing sandblasting work on the vessel, a Basic Industries employee discovered a hydrocarbon leak on the vessel, and Motiva Operations was notified.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

Notes/Remedial Actions

The Norco VSERT team was activated to verify that this was a hydrocarbon leak. Once this was verified, unit operators shutdown the Alkylation Unit, isolated Utility Column PV-1108, and plugged the hole in the column to stop the leak. To prevent recurrence, Motiva has made permanent repairs to the Alkylation Utility Column PV-1108 and plans to inspect it on a routine basis. Motiva now requires sandblasting contracts to have sandblasting quality control systems in place. Motiva Coordinators perform random job site audits of sandblasting work areas to assure that quality control systems are being practiced.