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Shell Chemical East (26336), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #145423
State Police #12-07915
Accident Date2012-12-17
Report Date 2012-12-20
Follow-up Date 2013-02-14
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Propylene18hheat exchanger in the GO-1 Process UnitNONOYES153.7 pounds
Propane18hheat exchanger in the GO-1 Process UnitNONOYES11.6 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

Operations discovered a leak on a heat exchanger in the GO-1 Process Unit. The release began at 2100 hours on December 17, 2012 and ended at 1500 hours on December 18, 2012 for a duration of 18 hours.

Discharge Preventable - No

This incident was not preventable by Shell Chemical. Inspection program did not predict the failure.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Maintenance tightened bolts on the head of the exchanger and the leak stopped. Insulation on the exchanger head was removed and repairs were made to the exchanger. Follow-up letter reported that the reportable quantity for High Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (propylene) was exceeded.