Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #133997
State Police #11-05778
Accident Date2011-09-16
Report Date 2011-09-21
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
Propane20 mUnit 259 North Ground FlareNONOYES684.9 pounds
Propylene20 mUnit 259 North Ground FlareNONOYES1,008.0 pounds
Isobutane20 mUnit 259 North Ground FlareNONOYES0.4 pounds
Nitric Oxide20 mUnit 259 North Ground FlareNOYESNO176.7 pounds
Carbon Monoxide20 mUnit 259 North Ground FlareNOYESNO148.6 pounds
Particulate Matter 1020 mUnit 259 North Ground FlareNOYESNO13.5 pounds
Ethane20 mUnit 259 North Ground FlareNONOYES0.1 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

On 9/16/11, level transmitted 205-LC-2050 failed which resulted in the filling of the Unit 205 C3/C4 Overhead Drum. This caused a pressure increase in the C3/C4 Splitter that led to the opening of the relief valve, 205-PSV-7077. This valve is routed to the flare header and the North Ground Flare.

Discharge Preventable - No

No, the level indicator failed without warning.

Notes/Remedial Actions

The unit vessel levels were manually adjusted to stop the over-pressure condition. The level transmitter, 205-LC-2050, was repaired. An incident investigation is ongoing. C3/C4 Splitter Overhead leaked for 20 min. Report says the leak lasted 10 min but the release lasted 20 min.