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Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #140561
State Police #12-03832
Accident Date2012-06-16
Report Date 2012-06-22
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 Dioxide29mNorth Ground FlareNOYESNO309.2 pounds
Crude Oil29mFlange on the Pitch Exchanger 210-1317-08NONONO5.0 gallons
Hydrogen Sulfide29mNorth Ground FlareNONONO1.0 pounds
Nitric Oxide29mNorth Ground FlareNOYESNO0.8 pounds
Carbon Monoxide29mNorth Ground FlareNOYESNO4.5 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)29mNorth Ground FlareNONOYES10.3 pounds
Particulate Matter 1029mNorth Ground FlareNOYESNO0.1 pounds
Particulate Matter 2.529mNorth Ground FlareNOYESNO0.1 pounds
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs)29mNorth Ground FlareNONONO0.1 pounds
Compressed Flammable Gas29mNorth Ground FlareNONOYES10.3 pounds
Compressed Flammable Liquid29mNorth Ground FlareNONOYES0.2 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

The 210-1513-01 Vacuum Bottoms Pump inboard and outboard motor bearing housings were smoking during routine observations. The 210-1513-02 Vacuum Bottoms Pump (back-up) was already out of service for repairs. The board operator was notified and started reducing Crude charge rate. The 210-1513-01 Vacuum Bottoms pump was shut down due to the outboard motor bearing igniting. The 210 Crude Unit shutdown procedure was initiated. The 210-1801-01 Offgas Compressor tripped due to a high level in the 210-1202 Compressor Suction Drum. Both pumps were already on in automatic. The outsider operator opened the bypass around the flow controller to the Product Receiver. Crude overhead gas was flared in the North Ground Flare. About 5 gallons of crude oil from a flange on the Refinery's Oily Water Sewer and processed in the WWTP.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

The root cause analysis will determine whether or not this incident was preventable.

Notes/Remedial Actions

The boardman cut charge rates to Crude Unit 10 and shut down Crude Unit 210. Both Compressor Suction Drum pumps were turned on, and the bypass around the flow controller was opened. The operator increased the suction drum pressure to assist the pumps in pressuring out the level to the startup compressor. The incident investigation will result in recommendation items designed to prevent the recurrence of this event. Initial report states material did go offsite. Verbal report and Hazardous Materials Incident Reporting Form state that H2S was released (and incorrectly reporting that the reportable quantity for it is 500 lbs), while the refinery statement letter reports only SO2.