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ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #80016
State Police #05-04145
Accident Date2005-06-22
Report Date 2005-06-28
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: 

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Propylene3h 20mlineNONOYES180.0 pounds
Propane3h 20mlineNONOYES1,730.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Corrosion

A leak was discovered in the line used to transfer IPA tail gas, which is primarily liquid propane, to the Poly unit. The cause was determined to be localized internal corrosion.

Discharge Preventable - No

The pipeline is inspected every 5 years per API inspection procedures and the historical thickness measurements have been well above minimum. After the incident, additional elbows, low points and horizontal sections of the pipe were unltrasonically measured for thickness; no other thin area were found.

Notes/Remedial Actions

The leaking section of the line was blocked in and water spray was applied to the leak to help minimize the vapors. Line-up changes were made so that this section of line could be depressurized to the flare system. A section of pipe, approximately 30 feet long, has been replaced. Ultrasonic measurements of additional elbows, low points, and horizontal sections of the pipe were taken. No other potential areas of corrosion were detected.