Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


Shell Chemical East (26336), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #145179
State Police #12-07711
Accident Date2012-12-06
Report Date 2012-12-13
Follow-up Date 2013-06-27
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
1,3-Butadiene4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONOYES2,737.4 pounds
Benzene4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONOYES585.9 pounds
Ethane4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONOYESBRQ
Ethylene4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONOYESBRQ
Hydrogen Sulfide4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONONOBRQ
Nitrogen Oxide4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNOYESYES16,325.9 pounds
Propylene4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONOYES34,384.0 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNOYESNO1,249.5 pounds
Propane4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONOYES2,588.0 pounds
Xylene4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONONO18.4 pounds
Toluene4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONONO40.9 pounds
Hexane4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONONO733.0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONOYES40,725.3 pounds
Particulate Matter4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNOYESNO28,811.0 pounds
Carbon Monoxide4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNOYESNO88,833.9 pounds
Styrene4d 19h 10mWOGF, GO-1 EFNONONO8.2 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Power Failure

On December 6, 2012, Shell Chemical's GO-1 flared at the GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90). The flaring was a result of an unexpected loss of power due to the trip of an Entergy breaker supplying the GO-1 unit. The GO-1 Unit trip caused a release to the atmosphere from the GO-1 Propylene Splitter Column.

Discharge Preventable - No

This incident was not preventable by Shell Chemical. Shell Chemical does not own the failed breaker.

Notes/Remedial Actions

GO-1 operations took the necessary steps to minimize flaring and safely return the unit to normal operating conditions and the flaring stopped. Data gathering to perform calculations and investigation are ongoing. Shell provided an amended final follow up notification on June 27, 2013. Reportable quantities for VOCs were exceeded. On December 9, 2012 the reportable quantities for Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Particulate Matter, and 1,3-Butadiene were exceeded. On December 8, 2012 reportable quantities for particulate matter were exceeded. On a report dated June 27, 2013, the emissions of propylene and propane were amended.