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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Calumet Lubricants 8 (1214), Shreveport

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Power Failure

On 12/20/12, The voltage on the six 12.5 kV feeders supplying service to Calumet from the Midway Substation experienced a significant voltage sag. The voltage dropped down to 18.9 volts (16.4%) on the West 12.5 kV bus for 37.32 cycles, and 18.3 volts (15.9%) on the east bus for 37.31 cycles. This event caused all the incoming voltage to sag, which caused Calumet to lose production. At the same time, 12.5 kV OCB 5500 tripped and reclosed auto. At the time of the event, the area was in midst of a severe storm, including very strong wind gusts and lightning. A 12.5 kV knife-blade switched burned up, probably due to lightning, which caused 12.5 kV circuit breaker 5500 to open. Calumet personnel reported seeing a blue flash at the time of the incident, which was most likely the offending lightning strike. On 12/25/12, the west 69/12.5 kV transformer differentialed, causing both of the 69 kV Breakers (8310 and 10320) in the Midway Substation to lock out. Therefore, the voltage went to 0.0 volts (0.0%) on all six 12.5 circuits feeding the refinery. At the time of the event, the area was in midst of a severe storm, including strong wind gusts and lightning. 12.5 kV circuit breaker 5500 experience both external and internal damage. 12.5 kV circuit breaker #5500 failed which caused the west 69/12.5 transformer to differential, which triggered the operation of the 69 kV breakers. Also, lost on 12.5 kV middle phase metering PT when the neutral burned off. On 12/30/12, the incoming voltage to the six 12.5 kV feeders supplying service to Calumet from the Midway Substation dropped down to 59.3% of normal for approximately 3.84 cycles. At the time of the event, the 69 kV circuit breakers on the transmission line between SWEPCO's Arsenal Hill and Shed Road Substations tripped on time and reclosed automatically. The cause of the fault is unknown. The events that occurred on 12/20/12 and 12/25/12 were due to weather, but the cause of the event that occurred on 12/30/12 is unknown.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

The 69 kV breakers (8310 and 10320) in both the Midway and Hardy substations operated one time and reclosed automatically, with no further problems. Circuit breaker 5500 was cleared, and then the rest of the station was restored to normal. The SWEPCO protection scheme worked as designed to prevent further damage to the system. Circuit breaker 5500 was later replaced, which should help to prevent a further outage like this one. SWEPCO is also looking at replacing 12.5 kV circuit breaker #4910. SWEPCO will also be replacing another 15 switches, bus PT's, station post insulators and adding transition plates where needed. On 12/25/12, a citizen reported flaring, black smoke, and a sulfur odor at the Calumet Lubricants Shreveport Refinery. The LDEQ contacted the facility who advised that the plant suffered a power failure during the bad weather when a circuit breaker failed at Southwester Electric and Power Company and caused a refinery circuit breaker to trip. Due to the incident, the flare increased, and an estimated 80 pounds of SO2 was released from Flare #2. This flare is permitted to emit a maximum of .01 pounds per hour of SO2. In a Power Disturbance/Interruption Analysis submitted by Calumet, the facility reported three separate incidences of power outages. The event reported by the concerned citizen occurred on 12/25/12. The following incidents are reported by Calumet: On 12/20/12, the 69kV breakers in both the Midway and Hardy substations operated one time and reclosed automatically, with no further problems. The 12.5 kV knife-blade switch was later bypassed by SWEPCO, thus temporarily eliminating the problem. The SWEPCO protection scheme worked as designed to prevent further damage to the system. All three phases on the switch with the burned blade were changed out the next morning, and the substation was returned to normal. On 12/25/12, the 69kV breakers in both the Midway and Hardy substations operated one time and reclosed automatically, with no further problems. Circuit breaker 5500 was cleared and then the rest of the station was restored to normal. The SWEPCO protection scheme worked as designed to prevent further damage to the system. Circuit breaker 5500 was later replaced, which should help to prevent further outage like this one. SWEPCO is also looking at replacing 12.5 kV circuit breaker #4910. SWEPCO will also be replacing another 15 switches, but PT's station post insulators and adding transition plates were needed. On 12/30/12, after the 69 kV breakers reclosed automatically, no further action was required. The RQ for sulfur dioxide is 500 pounds.