LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

About the Database

Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

Releases of Oil

LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date	Point Source(s)	Notes	Amount of Release
83924 2005-11-17	Hydrodesulphurization (HDS) Unit Fans	Cause: Leak on the HDS Unit fans caused spill to the ground. Emissions resulted from the spill to the ground, the release to the atmosphere and from the unit de-pressure to the No. 2 flare. Followup: Yes Notes: At approximately 04:07 hours on 11/17/05, refinery personnel discovered a leak on the Hydrodesulphurization (HDS) Unit fin-fans. Approximately 9.3 barrels of Distillate range material spilled to the ground. Emissions resulted from the spill to the ground, the release to the atmosphere, and from the unit de-pressure to the no. 2 flare. Chalmette Refinery rescinded the 11/17/05 notifications for NO, NO2, VOC, SO2 and H2S since the estimated amounts were less than the reportable quantity of 10lbs. They estimate that approximately 1.93 and 0.21 pounds of Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (nO2), respectively, were released to the atmosphere during the 11/17/05 event. Therefore, notification for Nitrous Oxides (NOx) was not required. Calculations performed after the incident indicated that a greater than reportable quantity of oil was spilled to the ground during this incident, and as such, emissions calculations for the oil spill are included in the follow-up report. Hydrogen Sulfide and Compressed Flammable Gas/Non-speciated VOCs released to atmosphere through the leak; Sulfur Dioxide and compressed flammable gas/non-speciated VOCs released to atmosphere through the NO. 2 flare; oil spill to ground with VOC volatilization to atmosphere. The HDS Unit was shutdown and de-pressured to the no. 2 flare to minimize the impact of the leak. A pipe clamp was installed, stopping the leak. Liquid released from the leak was contained and recovered. Soils that appeared to have come in contact with spilled slop oil were removed for off site disposal.	2,765.0 pounds
83685 2005-11-07	Tank 72 (D-72)	Cause: During periodic rounds and gauging of tank 72 (D-72), refinery operations personnel observed slop oil overflowing from tank 72. It was determined that the tank had experienced an unanticipated sure in inventory between manual gauging events. The release was caused by the unanticipated malfunction of tank gauge equipment. Followup: Yes Notes: Chalmette Refining reported a release of oil (Slop Oil) and Benzene on 1/7/05. Calculations performed after the incident indicate the greater than a reportable quantity of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) was also released during this incident, as such, emissions calculations for VOCs are included in this follow-up report. Hurricane Katrina caused damage to the electronic tank gauge (telepulse) system for tank 72 (D-72). As mitigation step, periodic manual gauging of D-72 was implemented based on anticipated tank inventory movement. At approximately 2345 hours on 11/7/05 during periodic rounds and gauging of tank 72, refinery operations personnel observed slop oil overflowing from tank 72. It was determined that the tank had experienced an unanticipated surge in inventory between manual gauging events. Since the tank receives inventory from multiple sources the reason for the unexpected increase in inventory was no immediately evident. Oil (as slop oil) released from refinery tank 72 (D-72) via overflow. Slop oil and water was released to the carthen tank containment dike. A portion of the slop oil components evaporated to the air. Transfer to tank the was stopped ending the incident. Transfer out of the tank to the other storage was initiated, lowering the level. Vacuum Trucks were dispatched in order to recover released liquids. The electronic tank gauge for tank 72 has been repaired and placed back in service. Liquid released was contained within the tank dike area and recovered via vacuum truck. Refinery personnel have begun removing soils that appear to have come in contact with spilled slop oil and will remove all stained soil for off site disposal. Currently, migration outside of the tank dike or to groundwater is not suspected. Released liquids that did not volatilize were contained within the tank dike area. Liquids were recovered via vacuum truck and placed into refinery tankage for re-processing. Excavated soils are being placed in roll-off containers, characterized and properly disposed of.	44,782.0 pounds
91099 2006-10-04	Fract Tank	Cause: vacuum tower was rinsed with hydrotreated light crude Oil to thin out the crude residue and then rinsed with water and detergent to remove the Oil and crude. The Oil was floating at the top of the fract tank at the tim of overfill. A containment berm had been set up around the fract tank to contain unforeseen leaks. Some Oil still landed outside the berm Followup: No Notes: rac tank has bee removed other tank levels will be monitored during transfers for the remainder of the turnaround. An environmental bulletin will be developed and discussed during crew talks to increase awareness fo the remporary containment issues and extra precautions needed during trunaround activities in order to prevent spills.	423.0 pounds
108648 2008-09-02	Facility Sewers	Cause: due to Hurricane Gustav, facility sewers backed up Followup: No Notes: Liquids were vacuum truck recovered
134832 2011-10-21	Tank 68 Line leak at Tank 68 Line leak and Tank 68	Cause: Oil was initially discovered in the area of Tank 68 (Alkylate storage)on October 20, 2011. The amount released to the environment was initially estimated to be less that reportable quantities, so no immediate notifications were required. A sample was collected in order to determine the root cause of the leak. On the morning of October 21, liquid was again observed coming from the bottom of the tank, and the lab sample results concurrently confirmed the oil to be alkylate. At approximately 0935 hours on October 21, 2011 a separate incident occurred when a retired line in a ground level piperack in the Treating Area was found to be leaking. The initial amount observed was approximately fourteen gallons of undetermined hydrocarbon, and both emissions and the amount in soil were determined to be less than the reportable quantities. Foam was also applied to the leak areas in order to mitigate odors and emissions. On October 21, 2011, at approximately 1400 hours, oil began accumulating at an increased rate at Tank 68, and it was determined that considering the two releases together, reportable quantities were potentially exceeded for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and benzene, and notifications were made. Several inches of water were introduced into Tank 68 on October 22 to displace the hydrocarbon layer on the tank floor. This ended the hydrocarbon release in excess of a reportable quantity. Additionally, line isolation efforts on the retired line in the Treating Area were performed on October 24, 2011, ending the release in excess of a reportable quantity. Visual observation and monitoring confirmed no ongoing leak to the environment at that time. Cleanup of the area was completed at 1600 hours on Tuesday, November 1, 2011. Followup: Yes Notes: Vacuum trucks were used to remove the oil and water from Tank 68, containing the release to the smallest area possible. Mitigation efforts to reduce amount to the environment emissions at Tank 68 also included the introduction of water into the tank to successfully displace the hydrocarbon from the leak interface on Saturday, October 22. The tank was emptied and removed from service on November 7, 2011, ending the release. Cleanup of the area is ongoing. Foam was applied to the area of the line leak, to reduce the emissions from the event. Vacuum trucks were used to recover the hydrocarbon and water, and the line was isolated October 24, ending the reportable release. United States Environmental Services also arrived Monday, October 24 to assist with cleanup of the ares, which was completed November 1, 2011. Tank 68 was cleaned, and initial inspection was performed on December 7, 2011. A repair scope is currently under development, which will implement corrective actions to mitigate corrosion potential for the tank floor.	1,932.0 gallons
132500 2011-07-18	refinery sewer	Cause: Large amounts of rain caused flooding at the refinery and Oil backed up into their sewers. There was potential for the Oil to enter the parish's sewer system, but it did not. Followup: No Notes: No remedial actions needed because the Oil did not enter the parish's sewer system. No refinery letter included in the file.
132392 2011-07-13	No Information Given	Cause: Chalmette Refining, L.L.C. (CRLLC) provided a courtesy notification to your office regarding a release of oil and benzene to the ground on July 13, 2011. After further review, there were no RQ exceedances or permit violations as a result of this event. Followup: No Notes: This was just a letter sent from Chalmette Refining, L.L.C., to the LDEQ as a courtesy.
131247 2011-05-17	Corroded line into Benzene Recovery Unit (BRU), Tank 6304	Cause: A run down line into a benzene recovery unit feed tank was corroded. Amount released was 12.1 pounds of benzene and 189 gallons of oil (aka 1404 pounds of hydrocarbon) Followup: No Notes: Containment booms and vacuum trucks were utilized to minimize contact with soil. A mechanical engineered clamp was installed to secure the leak. New piping will replace the line that contained the source of the leak. E-mail correspondence with refinery states that (31) 3000 gallon vacuum trucks of oil-water was put back into process (Tank 1024) and 4820 pounds of contaminated soil was shipped to Chemical Waste Management Inc.	189.0 gallons
131074 2011-04-30	Cooling Water Platform	Cause: An operator making a normal round at the Cooling Water Platform noticed oily water sump, D8410, overflowing to the river bature. It was later determined that the check valve on the discharge of the pump had failed in the open position, allowing untreated wastewater to backflow in to the sump. Less than one gallon of oil was released. Followup: Yes Notes: Upon discovery, the operator secured the valve and started the pump to evacuate the sump. United States Environmental Services (USES) was dispatched to deploy containment boom around the immediate area and use absorbent boom to recover any potential hydrocarbon present. The clean up was completed on Monday, May 2, 2011. CRLLC replaced the sump check valve on May 4, 2011. Additionally, in an effort to minimize the likelihood of a reoccurence, CRLLC installed an independent high level alarm system on the sump.	1.0 gallons
141431 2012-07-21	external floating roof on Tank 1 Tank 1 (ground level)	Cause: The external floating roof on the Tank 1 crude tank sunk and exposed contents of the tank to the environment. A leak developed from Tank 1 floor area and released oil to the ground inside of the containment area. Foam was applied to the top of the tank to mitigate potential vaporization of hydrocarbons. Mitigation efforts are ongoing to empty the tank and the majority of oil has been emptied from the tank. Water has been successfully introduced to vessel to float the oil later off the tank floor. Currently, oil is no longer leaking to the ground. Followup: Yes Notes: Foam was applied to the top of the tank. Trace amount of benzene were indicated by monitoring data. Foam was applied to the top of the tank to mitigate potential vaporization of hydrocarbons. Mitigation efforts are ongoing to empty the tank and the majority of oil has been emptied from the tank. Water has been successfully introduced to vessel to float the oil later off the tank floor. Oil is no longer leaking to the ground. Air monitoring was conducted at the tank perimeter, fence line and offsite. No fence line or offsite impacts were identified. Low levels of benzene and volatile organic compounds were detected periodically at the perimeter of the tank, but no adverse impacts occurred.	42.0 gallons
No LDEQ Reported 2012-02-09	No information given	Cause: There is a courtesy notification regarding a release of Compressed Flammable Gas and a potential release of oil. There is no detail in the Incident report regrading the cause of the release. Followup: No Notes: There is no information given regarding the cause or remedial actions. There is no LDEQ report and no SPOC report attached to the file.
148919 2013-05-27	Leaking pipe	Cause: On May 27, oil from a leaking pipe was found on the ground near the land between the river and the levee. Followup: No Notes: The area was cleaned with the collected material held for proper disposal. The piping identified as the root cause has been clamped to prevent recurrence. No oil reached the water.	10.0 gallons