Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


CITGO Petroleum (1250), Lake Charles

Causal Factor: Corrosion

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
98539

2007-08-09		Cooling Tower 1 and 2
Cause: of heat exchanger tubing that releases ammonia into the hot water that goes to the cooling tower

Followup: No

Notes: Leak occurred at York Ammonica System C-52A Condenser at C-4 Recovery Unit. Leaking tubes plugged and all tubes in heat exchanger are Seakaphen coated to resist corrosion. EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.		Ammonia: 195.0 pounds
97516

2007-06-29		Propane (C3) Mix Line at C-4 Recovery Unit
Cause: internal corrosion of pipe results in 3/32 of an inch diameter leak

Followup: No

Notes: Huge excess of RQ; Pipe was replaced		Propane: 18,210.0 pounds

Volatile Organic Compounds: 17,372.0 pounds
118135

2009-09-22		Cat area, Pipeline Leak, C-4 Recovery unit
Cause: A vent line in the C-4 Recovery unit ruptured. The line vented hydrocarbon until it was blocked. Caused by localized internal corrosion.

Followup: Yes

Notes: The line vent was blocked in.		Flammable Gas: 29,916.0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds: 5,317.0 pounds
Ethylene: 4,848.0 pounds
1,3-Butadiene: 376.0 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide: 829.0 pounds
117975

2009-09-14		Tubing
Cause: Corrosion caused a chlorine leak from a section of 1/2 inch tubing leading to a pressure transmitter.

Followup: Yes

Notes: Tubing was isolated and depressurized.		Chlorine Gas: 12.0 pounds
116326

2009-07-08		Benzene transfer pipeline
Cause: Leak was discovered in the Benzene Transfer line. Leak was due to corrosion.

Followup: No

Notes: Line was clamped and emptied. Damaged section will be replaced.		Benzene: 119.0 pounds
124152

2010-06-11		K18 oil movement area
Cause: "a 16" gasoline pipeline developed a leak due to corrosion near a pipe support." states LDEQ. The line was in the K18 oil movement area in the refinery. Below reportable quantities

Followup: No

Notes: BRQ. Refinery letter states that the incident did not exceed any reportable quantities. LDEQ report states that "the line was isolated and water was injected into the line to float the gasoline off of the bottom. A vacuum truck removed the gasoline and water and the soil was excavated and disposed of properly." Second pipe leak in a little over a month due to corrosion, see incident # 123233 for reference.		Gasoline: 42.0 gallons
123233

2010-05-05		16" pipe near Tank 50
Cause: LDEQ report states "...an overhead 16" pipe near Tank 50 developed a pinhole leak in the north tank farm pipe rack area. The leak appeared to be from corrosion." It leaked less than 18 gallons of crude oil, which is BRQ.

Followup: No

Notes: BRQ. No reportable quantities were exceeded. LDEQ states that "the free oil was picked up with a vacuum truck and the contaminated soil was excavated and disposed of."
123039

2010-04-25		no information given
Cause: Approx. 3/8'' hole in line [pipe] releasing sour water into ditch and H2S to air.

Followup: No

Notes: BRQ. Refinery letter states that "an investigation into the incident concluded that the materials released were below the reportable quantity. LDEQ report states that personnel installed temp clamp but still has "small leak," placed containment pool under leak & will vacuum as it accumulates.
147293

2013-03-12		Distillate line near B-Reformer unit
Cause: On March 12, 2013, a leak was discovered on a distillate pipe, in the pipe rack east of the B-Reformer unit. It is believed that the leak was caused by internal corrosion of the distillate line. The event is currently under investigation.

Followup: No

Notes: Equipment which utilize the line were either shutdown or operated in such a way as to minimize the amount of material entering this line. Once minimized, the affected area of pipe was isolated and replaced with new piping. The affected area of piping has been changed out with new piping. In addition, this incident is under investigation.		Flammable Gas: 2,667.0 pounds
Benzene: 59.0 pounds