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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

On Sunday, January 20, 2013, at approximately 06:05 hours unit personnel identified a leak at the Crude 2 unit from a failed bleeder valve. A root cause failure analysis and investigation is ongoing and results will be provided in a 60-day follow-up report. Off-site monitoring by a third party contractor was initiated following identification of the leak and all results were non-detect for benzene and hydrogen sulfide. Low levels of VOC's were detected. The root cause of bleeder valve failure occurred from a failure mechanism of piping assembly due to high-cycle fatigue caused by line vibration during the PSV relief.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

Inspection data less than adequate to provide early indication of bleeder failure due to high vibration service. CRLLC has installed gussets on the bleeder valves of both desalter PSV's with similar design configurations. CRLLC will also ensure that all future PHA's identify whether lines in vibrating service are adequately supported to avoid/mitigate any future re-occurence of this root cause.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Upon discovery, the bleeder valve was isolated to stop the leak and cleanup of the area was immediately isolated. Notifications were made to shift supervision and the area was barricaded off to restrict access to the unit. All work was stopped and personnel were directed to a safe area. The appropriate agencies were notified. Internal and external monitoring was initiated. CRLLC has installed gussets on the bleeder valves of both desalter PSV's with similar design configurations. CrLLC will also ensure that all future Project Hazard Analysis (PHA) identify whether lines in vibrating service are adequately supported to avoid/mitigate any future re-occurrence of this root cause.