Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


Valero (26003), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #130410
State Police #11-01783
Accident Date2011-03-29
Report Date 2011-04-05
Follow-up Date 2011-06-24
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Hazardous WasteunknownWest Plant SumpNONONO11.0 gallons

Accident Classified As: No Information Given

Cause of Problem: Weather

On 3/29/11, Valero discovered that the west plant sump was overflowing. Upon identification of the incident, the on-duty shift superintendent implemented the necessary mitigating procedures. The spilled material overflowed the battery limits of the delayed coking unit during a heavy rain storm accompanied by local flooding. The stormwater runoff carried the spilled material over the refinery's perimeter berms and into the Prospect Road and 8 gallons were captures onsite before it could escape.

Discharge Preventable - No

This incident occurred during a period of high rainfall intensity, approximately 1 in/hr at its peak. Valero made adjustments operationally to manage this high flow rate and they do not believe this spill was reasonably preventable. They intend to take steps to mitigate impacts of future unusual weather events.

Notes/Remedial Actions

NO LDEQ report. Three refinery letters. No SPOC Report. Valero completed an incident investigation for this incident and identified several corrective actions to be implemented in order to prevent recurrence of this event. These include rerouting piping to alleviate hydraulic loading of this sump, evaluating additional oil-water separation projects, and evaluating additional waste water surge capacity. Valero estimates that about 11 gallons of material was spilled. Of the 11 gallons released to the ground, approximately 3 gallons escaped to the ditch along Prospect Road where it was collected by vacuum trucks. Recovered oil was sent to the refinery rerun system for subsequent processing. Absorbent booms used in the spill response will be sent offsite for disposal.