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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #127976
State Police #10-06914
Accident Date2010-12-03
Report Date 2010-12-09
Follow-up Date 2010-12-21
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide4h 37mFLARE: S-2 & S-3 Sulfur units; Coker flare (FE-401), Shell Go-1 & OL-5 FlaresNOYESNO28,215.0 pounds
Carbon Monoxide4h 37mFLARE: S-2 & S-3 Sulfur units; Coker flare (FE-401), Shell Go-1 & OL-5 FlaresNOYESNO3,972.0 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide4h 37mFLARE: S-2 & S-3 Sulfur units; Coker flare (FE-401), Shell Go-1 & OL-5 FlaresNOYESYES659.5 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)4h 37mFLARE: S-2 & S-3 Sulfur units; Coker flare (FE-401), Shell Go-1 & OL-5 FlaresNONOYES989.5 pounds
Hexane4h 37mFLARE:Shell Go-1 & OL-5 FlaresNONONO85.0 pounds
Benzene4h 37mFLARE:Shell Go-1 & OL-5 FlaresNONOYES0.1 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

Motiva's S-2 and S-3 sulfur plants tripped offline while analyzer FI-3677 was being calibrated. During analyzer calibration, air flow was reduced, initiating shutdown of S-2. Acid gas was diverted through to S-3 and pushed into gas knock out drum resulting in shut down of S-3. Acid gas was routed to Coker Flare and Shell's Go-1 flare. Shared incident with SHELL CHEMICAL LP. Emissions included flaring from both facilities.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

Letter states that incident was preventable by Motiva.

Notes/Remedial Actions

RQ. Sulfur plants were restarted, operating procedures for safely calibrating instruments will be developed and included in operations training program, training conducted for personnel. Calculations provided confirm that the reportable quantity for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter was exceeded.