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Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #101968
State Police #07-4488
Accident Date2007-12-29
Report Date 2008-01-04
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
Hydrogen Sulfide6 hours (21:15-3:15)Unit 34 thermal oxidizerNONONOBRQ
Sulfur Dioxide6 hours (21:15-3:15)Unit 34 termal oxidizerNOYESNOBRQ

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Equipment Design

The Amine Unit 47 shutdown when amine circulation was lost because of a control valve failing to close.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

Under investigation to determine if accident was preventable. Investigation will be completed in 60 days.

Notes/Remedial Actions

The shutdown of Unit 45 Sulfur Recover unit reduced the acid gas (hydrogen sulfide-H2S) processing capacity by 1/3. To reduce the acid gas Marathon implemented "sulfur shedding procedures", involving reducing feed desulfurization units and the Coker . A manual bypass valve was opened to restore circulation. Sulfur dioxide limit (250 ppm) on Unit 34 thermal oxidizer and hydrogen sulfide limit 160ppm on the fuel gas system were exceeded.