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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

Community complaint of foul odors from near Valero submitted on August 28. According to the e-mail from Mr. Stubbe (Manager Environmental Engineering), the project and turnaround activities that commenced in late July continue. The letter explained that a review of refinery operations from the evening of 8/28-29 revealed only a single incident that occured approximately half an hour after the complainant's call to SPOC. While demolishing a section of piping on the Gas Condensation Unit, a small quantity of liquid exited a flange. This is believed to have set off the alaram on the nearby worker's personal H2S detector. No Reportable Quantities (RQ) were exceeded, no emergency condition existed, and no odor complaints were received from inside or outside the plant. During this period, the wind was blowing from the ESE at approximately 3-5 mph. Background levels of H2S and SO2 were measured at the Community Air Monitoring Station on Ventura Drive. *Starting 7/28/14, the refinery executed 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 incident #'s 158330, 158905, 158516, and 158452.