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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #148825
State Police #13-02224
Accident Date2013-05-20
Report Date 2013-05-28
Follow-up Date 2013-07-17
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Compressed Flammable Gas1d 2h 15mFuel gas lineNONOYES3,445.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: No Information Given

Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

On May 20, at approximately 3:15 PM, a leak was detected from a fuel gas line near the Hydrocracking Unit. A failure analysis conducted on the failed section of the pipe indicated that increased water saturation and chloride content in the stagnant zone of the pipe was the cause of the degradation.

Discharge Preventable - No

The testing conducted on the fittings and turbulent areas at bends, elbows, and tees in the surrounding area of the pipe failure indicated adequate pipe thickness. There were no indications that suggested the piping would fail in that area.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Immediate remedial action was to barricade the area and water was used to dissipate vapors from the release. The line was isolated and a clamp was installed to mitigate the leak. Onsite monitoring was conducted during the events and all results were zero. No emergency conditions or adverse offsite impacts resulted from this release.