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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #143684
State Police #12-06698
Accident Date2012-10-09
Report Date 2012-10-16
Follow-up Date 2012-12-13
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Benzene2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES21.1 pounds
Ethylbenzene2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES0.1 pounds
m-Xylene2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONONO0.3 pounds
Isoprene2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES0.2 pounds
p-Xylene2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONONO0.1 pounds
Isopentane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES0.6 pounds
n-Pentane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONONO0.8 pounds
1-t-3-Pentadiene2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES0.5 pounds
2-Methylpentane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES1.2 pounds
3-Methylpentane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES0.9 pounds
n-Hexane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONONO1.3 pounds
2-Methylhexane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES0.6 pounds
3-Methylhexane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES0.6 pounds
Toluene + 2,3,3-trimethylpentane2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONONO2.3 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)2d 2h 47mHose from the frac tankNONOYES13.9 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Human Factors

At 10:01 on October 9, 2012 Motiva Site Supervisor received a call of an odor around the SBA area. After responding to the issue, it was discovered that the odor was coming from the VAT sump. A contractor was in the process of removing material from one of the four frac tanks that were staged in preparation for Hurricane Issac to collect excess oil and water during the storm. During the storm material containing high benzene was mistakenly put into the frac tank. When the contractor disconnected the hose from the frac tank that was labeled oil and water, the material remaining in the hose spilled onto the pavement. The contractor attempted to wash the area, which in turn washed the material into the VAT collection sump.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

This release was preventable.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Industrial Hygiene (IH) and ERT were contacted due to an odor in the area and high levels of benzene were detected. The area were secured and under fresh air, clean up efforts were immediately implemented. To prevent any further release of hydrocarbons, the VAT collection sump was immediately blocked in and the material was pumped into a frac tank. The VAT collection sump was water washed, pumped to a frac tank and cleaned. Air testing was performed and the benzene levels were below the limit. Liquids were recovered and returned to the frac tank. No soils were contaminated. Material that evaporated during the release and recovery operation was released to atmosphere and dispersed naturally. The following requirements were adopted to prevent reoccurence: A MSDS is required before any material can be removed by contractors; Procedures have been updated and include a tracking sheet for all loads. Motiva has no current knowledge of pollution migration as free product was contained to the VAT collection sump and recovered to a frac tank. Motiva exceeded the reportable quantity for benzene.