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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #121815
State Police #10-01085
Accident Date2010-03-01
Report Date 2010-03-08
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
Sulfur Dioxide21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)NOYESNO35,210.0 pounds
Carbon Dioxide21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)YESNONO5,846.0 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)NOYESYES1,074.0 pounds
Particulate Matter21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)NOYESNO202.0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)NONOYES1,582.0 pounds
1,3-Butadiene21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)NONOYESBRQ
Benzene21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)NONOYESBRQ
Hexane21h 28mFLARE - Shell's GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90)NONONO146.8 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

LDEQ report states, "cat cracker tripped due to main air blower problems." Refinery letter states there was an unexpected shutdown of Motiva's RCCU Process Unit; had to flare dry gas being fed to Shell's GO-1 Process Unity to meet specifications to prevent further contamination to GO-1 and need for additional flaring. FLARE.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

Shell letter says "not preventable by Shell;" Motiva letter says "under investigation."

Notes/Remedial Actions

RQ. Reportable quantities exceeded. File includes letters from both Motiva and Shell Chemical. Motiva letter dated 3/8/2010 references submitting a follow-up within 60 day and Shell letter references "a separate letter from Motiva dated 4/28/10," but follow-up letter from Motiva is not included in file.