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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #143246
State Police #12-05985
Accident Date2012-09-05
Report Date 2012-09-12
Follow-up Date 2013-05-22
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Crude OilNo Information GivenLoading arm drain valveNONONO1,800.0 gallons

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Human Factors

On September 5, 2012 at approximately 3:10 AM, there was an oil spill to the Mississippi River from the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery Dock. The discharge controller noticed oil on the deck of the dock while discharging cargo. Discharge operations were immediately discontinued to prevent further release of crude oil. The controller failed to follow procedures to properly align the transfer system by leaving a loading arm drain valve open to the sump during discharge operations. The sump system became overwhelmed, causing crude oil to back out through the drains onto the deck. The amount released was less than 5 barrels of oil, and the reportable quantity is 1 barrel. After additional analysis and review with the US Coast Guard, a theoretical maximum potential oil spill volume of approximately 1800 gallons/43 barrels was calculated using theoretical oil spill recovery calculations.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

Notes/Remedial Actions

Discharge operations were immediately discontinued to prevent any further release. The ExxonMobil Emergency Response Team was activated immediately to minimize environmental impact. Deployment of 35,000 feet of boom, 16,000 pads, and 9 boats with drum skimmers. Approximately 2,000 gallons of oil water was collected from skimming operations. Refresher training was conducted with Dock personnel on operating procedures to prevent recurrence. Further, additional level instrumentation is being evaluated to provide potential early incident detection. Spilled quantity was based on the sheen size calculation of 2.4 bbl, and the amount of oily water collected from skimming operations. Also states later that 5 bbls released into the Mississippi River and 5 bbls released onto the loading docks, and 50 bbls were contained onsite in the refinery's stormwater retention basin. All contaminated soil has been remediated.