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Shell Chemical East (26336), Norco
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 143196 |
| PDF Available |  PDF |
| State Police # | 12-06428 |
| Accident Date | 2012-09-23 |
| Report Date | 2012-10-01 |
| Follow-up Date | 2012-11-13 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Carbon Monoxide | 1d 3h 30m | GO-1 Elevated Flare FE-602 (EPN 1-90) | NO | YES | NO | 3,001.1 pounds |
| Nitrogen Oxide | 1d 3h 30m | GO-1 Elevated Flare FE-602 (EPN 1-90) | NO | YES | YES | 551.6 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 1d 3h 30m | GO-1 Elevated Flare FE-602 (EPN 1-90) | NO | YES | NO | 103.8 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 1d 3h 30m | GO-1 Elevated Flare FE-602 (EPN 1-90) | NO | YES | NO | 15,061.3 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 1d 3h 30m | GO-1 Elevated Flare FE-602 (EPN 1-90) | NO | NO | YES | 813.3 pounds |
| Hexane | 1d 3h 30m | GO-1 Elevated Flare FE-602 (EPN 1-90) | NO | NO | NO | 75.5 pounds |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | 1d 3h 30m | GO-1 Elevated Flare FE-602 (EPN 1-90) | NO | NO | NO | 31.3 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Corrosion
On September 24, 2012 Shell Chemical's GO-1 flared at the GO-1 Elevated Flare. Untreated RCCU dry gas was flared while isolating PV-1013, the RCCU dry gas knock out pot, where piping located at the bottom of the vessel was leaking. Equipment isolation was performed to allow access to the leaking line. Further investigation showed that the leak was due to corrosion under the insulation. The flaring at the GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90) caused a release of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide also leaked from the bottom of PV-1013, the RCCU dry gas knock out pot, and flaring occurred while isolating PV-1013
Discharge Preventable - No
This incident was not preventable by Shell Chemical. This leak was not preventable. There was no known issue with this line service.
Notes/Remedial Actions
Once access was provided, the line was blinded to stop the leak of untreated RCCU dry gas to the atmosphere. GO-1 operations personnel took the necessary steps to minimize flaring and eventually stop flaring, safely returning the unit to normal operating conditions. Once the unit was stabilized, untreated RCCU dry gas was routed into the fuel system and out of the flare. The leak was due to corrosion under insulation. The CUI inspection department will review service of the line and determine future inspection requirements for inspection cycle. The facility exceeded reportable quantities for sulfur dioxide (13908.15 lbs) and highly reactive volatile organic compounds (ethylene and propylene)[350 lbs]. They also exceeded permit limits for sulfur dioxide and hexane. SPOC report states material did go offsite.
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