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Shell Chemical East (26336), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #139536
State Police #12-8719
Accident Date2012-05-08
Report Date 2012-05-09
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
Unknown SubstanceNIGFlareNONONOBRQ

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Weather

State police officer called Shell chemical and found out that the bad weather that passed through Norco caused their CO heater to shut down. Once this happened Shell Chemical had to shut down units including the PGC Compressor for the OL-5 unit, because without the CO heater, there was not enough steam to operate the refinery. Shell Chemical has not confirmed definitely what cause the CO heater to shut down, but they believe either lighting struck the heater, or a temperature change caused problems.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

This was a citizen complaint concerning black smoke coming off of a flare located in Norco, La. The facility has not reported any quantities being exceeded.