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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Calumet Lubricants (312), Cotton Valley

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

An operator entered the tank farm and found 72tk to be overfilling during loading from truck dock. Product in 72TK is diesel distillates. The truck dock was notified to shut down loading into the tank. The material was contained by the secondary containment area. Spill occurred due to guage hang up on the tank itself and overflowed into 2nd containment. LDEQ conducted a site inspection on 1/03/13. Communication between loaders and tank operators listed as a contributing factor of the spill Facility did not promptly notify DPS within 24 hours after learning of the unauthorized discharge, as required by LAC 33:3917.A

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

Cleanup started by vacuum truck and absorbent pads within one hour of discovery by maintenance personnel. Cleanup continued through 12/27/13. Soil excavation was initiated. Ribbon and spool on gauge were inspected and no irregularities were found by maintenance. Operator responsible for gauging system to be retrained on procedure and technique of identifying probably or suspected readings on electronic gauging system. Communications to be improved for loading activities to tank 72. Soil samples were taken at four locations within the contamination area on 1/13/14. Samples were analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and Diesel Range Organics (DRO). Samples 1 and 2 were non-detect for TPH-DRO, sample 3 was 383 mg/kg and sample 4 was 1210 mg/kg. Communication between LDEQ and Calumet notes that samples 3 and 4 are above the allowable limits for DEQ inspections, and transferred the case to the remediation division.