LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #	148777
tate Police #	N/A
Accident Date	2013-05-20
Report Date	2013-06-07
Follow-up Date	0000-00-00
Follow-up:	No

Pollutants Released

Pollutant

Duration

Point Source

Greenhouse Gas

Criteria Pollutant

Ozone forming chemical

Amount of Release

Accident Classified As: No Information Given

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

Loud noise due to depressurizing the HCU due to a previous incident that occurred on 5/17/13 (LDEQ #148798). Operations directed as much material as possible to other process units. However, to complete the depressure process, gas had to be routed to the north flare. The HCU valve heading to the flare cannot be throttled, it is either 'full open' or 'full closed'. Between the high gas flows to the flare, and what they believe to be excessive assist steam, a deep, helicopter - like noise emanated from that flare.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions