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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

According to the e-mail received from Mr. Stubbe, the project and turnaround activities that commenced in late July continue. Valero has been preparing its flare headers for binding and piping tie-in work associated with the upcoming Flare Gas Recovery Project. In order to ensure stable combustion at the flares, Valero has periodically introduced NSPS J-compliant fuel gas into the headers. The flares appearance (flame size, color, etc) has varied more than normal due to these activities. No unusual odor or noise has been observed. There were no reportable upsets or malfunctions during this period. The wind was variable. It blew from ESE during the evening of the 26th, later switched to northeasterly, and then returned to ESE during the afternoon of the 27th. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations measured at the Ventura Drive air monitoring station remained within their normal band (0.003-0.006 ppm). One citizen complaint was received during this period regarding vehicle and pedestrian noise along the refinery's eastern fence line. This appears to be unrelated to the complaints received by your office. *Starting 7/28/14, the refinery exectued a planned shutdown of several process units for project work and scheduled maintenance. Affected units include the Hydrocracker, the FCCU, the Alkylation Unit, and the ROSE unit.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

related to previous incidents with LDEQ#s 158905, 158516, and 158452