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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Motiva Enterprises (2719), Convent

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

On January 8, 2014, Motiva Enterprises, LLC Convent Refinery (Motiva) reported an upset of the H-Oil Unit which caused emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the combustion and flaring of hydrocarbons containing sulfur compounds. At approximately 2:45 AM, the H-Oil Unit Fractionator Tower began to build a liquid level, due to the bottoms pump losing suction. The loss of forward flow from the fractionator tower bottoms up resulted in increased liquid level in the fractionator tower. While trying to re-establish suction to the pump, the pressure increased on the overhead of the Fractionation Tower.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

While trying to re-establish suction to the pump, the pressure increased on the overhead of the Fractionation Tower. The pressure was relieved through automated controls and PSV's To Flare Relief and Fuel Gas Recovery (FGR) system. In order to prevent an unsafe condition from the elevated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and pressures in equipment, at 6:30 AM the stream was taken out of FGR and routed to Flare No. 3. The fuel gas H2S concentration remained elevated until approximately 6:40 AM. The system was stabilized by 2:10 PM when the stream was returend to FGR and Flaring at Flare No. 3 ceased. The incident was initially reported as a potential Reportable Quantity (RQ) exceedance. However, during the event, no release exceeding an RQ occurred. Therefore, Motiva is submitting this letter to clarify that the referenced incident did not result in an RQ exceedance and the verbal report made on January 8, 2014 should be considered a courtesy notification.