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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Phillips 66 (2418), Belle Chasse

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

An oil spill was discovered in the morning of August 21, 2014 in the south tankfield area of the refinery from an oily water sewer overflow. The spill was contained in the grassy area east of the crude oil tanks. A Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigation was completed and revealed that there were blockages on the downstream side of two nearby sumps. It is suspected that dewatering of a crude tank prior to the event had filled the sumps to their maximum capacity and caused them to overflow. A malfunctioned roof drain system on another crude oil tank may have contributed to the incident since the roof drain is routing crude oil into the oily water sewers on a routine basis.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

Notes/Remedial Actions

Actions were taken to prevent oil transport into the segregated stormwater system. Oil spill clean up resources were mobilized and commenced vacuuming accumulated oil. The spill clean up was completed on 8/24/14. The corrective actions that were identified through the RCA and will be implemented are the following: 1) Develop a preventative maintenance process to periodically monitor oily water sewers for blockages, 2) Modify tank water draining procedures to include safeguards for draining into a closed system, 3) Repair crude oil tank roof drain to reduce crude oil draining into the oily water sewer