Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


CITGO Petroleum (1250), Lake Charles

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #116794
State Police #092368
Accident Date2009-07-25
Report Date 2009-07-30
Follow-up Date 2009-08-14
Follow-up: No

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Flammable Gas2 minutesTank 528NONOYES2,307.0 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

Tank 528 was filled with butane. Natural gas, used to displace butane in the barge was introduced into Tank 528. This was caused when a malfunctioning level indicator in the barge allowed the butane level to fall to a point where natural gas could enter the transfer line. The increase in pressure in Tank 528 tripped the pressure safety valve(PSV) causing flammable gas to be vented to the atmosphere.

Discharge Preventable - No

Level indicator malfunctioned, failure could not have been foreseen.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Transfer line was blocked and head space pressure lowered.