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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge
Releases of Benzene
| LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date |
Point Source(s) | Notes | Amount of Release |
| 05-BB009-1870 2007-07-05 | tank 263 | Cause: STORMS- styrene that is not permitted to be stored in tank in the east area south field tanks were emitted while stored in these tanks. Followup: No Notes: LCCO is being removed from tank 263 (usual incident number not listed, LAC number given instead); this could have been preventable and the Refinery could have reduced rates, however this was not considered prudent under the given circumstances | |
| No LDEQ Reported 2005-12-01 | E-568 reboiler | Cause: leak in the E-568 reboiler Followup: No Notes: the exchanger was blocked out and the leaking tubes will be plugged; report stated this was not preventable because the exchanger was replaced in 1st quarter of 2003, with the previous bundle in service for 20 years; this bundle has previously leaked once due to suspected mechanical damage during installati | 4.0 pounds |
| 05-BB009-1889 2005-11-08 | E-552B exchanger | Cause: Followup: No Notes: an exchanger crew was called out to return E-552A to service; they plan to evaluate if a metallurgy upgrade is needed on this exchanger; was not preventable because the exchanger was retubed in June of 2003 and historically has a longer run life | 58.0 pounds |
| 05-BB009-1787 2005-06-13 | tank 766 | Cause: level gauge on tank 766 was not responding correctly. Chemicals began flowing out of the drain on the tank. Followup: Yes Notes: foam was sprayed on the tank to reduce exposure and fire potential. The tank was slowly emptied to ensure the roof did not shift and damage the tank. | 582.0 pounds |
| 05-BB009-1746 2005-03-24 | E3A- & E3B | Cause: safety valves lifted Followup: No Notes: There were 2 incidents involved- the 1st did no exceed any reportable quantities, the 2nd incident started on 3/24/05 at 11:21pm and ended at 11:30pm the same day; furnace reboiler was shut down to reduce tower pressure and allow safety valves to reseat; the actual release lasted 9 minutes (from 11:21pm to 11:30pm); the report stated that the safety valve release on 4 LEU was preventable, but the reboiler leak on E-3A was not expected as it was a newer bundle than E-3 | 2,260.0 pounds |
| 92695 2006-12-17 | FLARE - #17 and #19 Flares | Cause: -compressors had to be shut down for repair - compressor trip. Followup: No Notes: This incident was not preventable because the compressor trip that caused the flaring incident was unexpected. If the findings of this investigation indicate that the cause of the trip was preventable, a modified report will be issued. Remedial Measures - an investigation is ongoing and the appropriate follow-up actions will be completed. an assistant operator at the Refinery Gas Compression Unit (RGCU) noticed an unusual noise coming from one of the refinery gas compressors C-50. These was evaluated by compressor specialists and it was determined that the compressor had to be shut down for repair. An advanced notification was made in anticipation of the flaring event since the spare compressor was unavailable due to other mechan | |
| 91379 2006-10-16 | FLARE - #17 and #19 Flares | Cause: the cause of the flaring was high pressure in the refinery gas collection system due to a high volume of vent gas from the other refinery units. The source of the high vent gas rate was unable to be determined. Followup: No Notes: This incident was not preventable because the remedial actions were initiated before the flaring incident. These actions should have been sufficient to reduce vent gas rates. Two primary actions were initiated to reduce refinery vent gas rates. First, the compressor at the Hydrocracker was lined with the Refinery Gas Compression Unit Compressors to assist with processing refinery vent gas. Secondly, the crude feed rate to Pipestill #10 was decreased. Remedial Actions -an invgation is ongoing and the appropriate follow-up actions will be completed. The reportable quantity for nitrogen oxide has been exceeded. | |
| 90901 2006-09-26 | FLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 Flares | Cause: a control system power failure at the Refinery Gas Compression Unit caused a reduction in compressor capacity due to poor compressor control. As a result of the reduced capacity, the compressors were unable to process all of the refinery gas and the excess gas was routed to the refinery flare syste Followup: No Information Provided Notes: This incident was not preventable because the failure of the compressor control system was a result of a failure in both the primary and alternate power supply systems. The back-up power system should have supplied power to the compressor control systemwhen the primary failed to do so because of an electrical malfunction. Remedial Measures - an investigation is ongoing and the appropriate follow-up actions will be completed. Reportable quantities for nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide were exceeded. | |
| 90226 2006-08-24 | E-552A and E-553A Exchangers on the Coker | Cause: the E-552A and E-553 Exchangers on the Coker were discovered leaking into Cooling Tower #44. The leak on the E-553A was stopped 20 mins. Later while the leak on the E-552A continued until August 26th, 2006. The leaks are believed to have been caused by accelerated corrosion Followup: No Notes: This incident was not preventable because inspection reports on these exchanger bundles indicate that both failed prematurely. Remedial Measures - The existing tube bundles will be repaired/replaced as necessary. Metallurgy of these exchangers will be upgraded. Reportable quantities for volatile organic compounds, hydrogen sulfide, and benzene were exceeded. Note: in the follow up report, it was found that the reportable quantities for hexane, 1,3 Butadiene, and highly reactive volatile organicpounds were exceeded as well. The previously reported level of volatile organic compounds was 8800 and was later found to be 66388, for hydrogen sulfide it was 901/4578, and for benzene it was 59/43 | 443.0 pounds |
| 90043 2006-08-16 | E-205 A/B exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit | Cause: the E-205 A/B exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit was leaking to Cooling Tower #27. The leak is believed to be from corrosion on the tube bundle. Followup: No Notes: This incident was not preventable because the inspection data for this bank of exchangers did not indicate that a failure was imminent. These bundles were tested in January 2005 and were found to have no leaks. Remedial Measures - the exchanger bundle will be inspected and repaired or replaced as appropriate. The reportable quantities for benzene, toluene, naphthalene, volatile organic compounds, xylene mixed isomers, and o-xylene were exceeded. It is possible that the reportable quantities forylene and p-xylene were also exceeded, but available stream specification data does not allow differentiation between the these two isomers | 92.0 pounds |
| 90043 2006-08-16 | E-205 A/B exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit | Cause: the E-205 A/B exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit was leaking to Cooling Tower #27. The leak is believed to be from corrosion on the tube bundle. Followup: No Notes: This incident was not preventable because the inspection data for this bank of exchangers did not indicate that a failure was imminent. These bundles were tested in January 2005 and were found to have no leaks. Remedial Measures - the exchanger bundle will be inspected and repaired or replaced as appropriate. The reportable quantities for benzene, toluene, naphthalene, volatile organic compounds, xylene mixed isomers, and o-xylene were exceeded. It is possible that the reportable quantities forylene and p-xylene were also exceeded, but available stream specification data does not allow differentiation between the these two isomers | 92.0 pounds |
| 89635 2006-08-01 | E-205 C/D exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit | Cause: the E-205 C/D exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha unit was leaking to Cooling Tower #27. The leak is believed to be from corrosion on the tube bundle. Followup: No Notes: This incident was not preventable because the inspection data for this bank of exchangers did not indicate that a failure was imminent. These bundles were tested in January 2005 and were found to have no leaks. Remedial Measures - the exchanger bundle will be inspected and repaired or replaced as appropriate. The reportable quantities for xylene, benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and volatile organic compounds were all exceeded | 42.0 pounds |
| 87870 2006-05-16 | D-104 Hydrocracker | Cause: the clamp on the Hydrocracker D-104 overhead line was leaking. The pressure of the overhead gas was reduced and several attempts were made to reseal the clamp, including trying several different kinds of sealant. The leak would stop for a short durationand then return Followup: No Notes: As of 7:30am on 5/22/2006 - the date of this letter - the leak was ongoing. In this letter, Exxon claims states that the reportable quantities for hydrogen sulfide and flammable vapor were exceeded only during the first 24 hours of the incident. This incident was not preventable because the clamp was considered to be a permanent repair (installed in Dec. 2005) until the scheduled unit downtime in 2008. Remedial Measures- a larger engineered clamp will be installed over the existing clamp. " | 2.0 pounds |
| 87621 2006-05-04 | E-3 exchanger on the Coker | Cause: the leak is believed to have been caused by corrosion and erosion Followup: No Notes: There is no information whatsoever as to why the accident was preventable. Remedial Measures- the bundle was replaced with a new bundle. In the letter to LDEQ, Exxon states that the reportable quantities for hydrogen sulfide and benzene were exceeded | 12.0 pounds |
| 87051 2006-04-08 | FLARE - C-30 and C-40 compressor | Cause: at the time of this report, the cause of the flaring incident was unknown and was under investigati Followup: No Notes: The only information provided is that the preventability of the incident had not been determined and was under investigation. Remedial Measures are listed the same way. The reportable quantities for nitrogen oxide were exceeded. | |
| 86453 2006-03-13 | E-553B Exchanger at the coker E-553B Exchanger leak at the coker | Cause: -the E-553B exchanger on the Coker was leaking to Cooling Tower #44. The leak is believed to be from the corrosion on the tube bundle. Followup: No Notes: Remedial measures - The leaking tube on the E-553 exchanger will be plugged and the exchanger will be pressure tested before it is returned to service. The accident was not preventable because the exchanger had not leaked previously and the tube bundle was approximately 18 months old. The report letter to LDEQ states that the reportable quantities for benzene, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, and 1,3-butadine were exceeded. | 179.0 pounds |
| 85618 2006-02-04 | F-600 furnace at No. 2 Reformer / Powerformer Feed Hydrotreater (RHLA-2) / No. 2 Powerformer | Cause: an instrument malfunction caused the F-600 furnace on the No. 2 Reformer to shut down. The shutdown of F-600 resulted in the Powerformer Feed Hydrotreater (RHLA-2) and the No. 2 Powerformer shutting down. The Powerformer is a major supplier of hydrogen to the refinery, and with the reduction in hydrogen supply, several units were forced to significantly reduce rates or shut down. The Feed Preparation Unit feeds RHLA-2 and with this unit shut down a valve was opened to send this stream from Feed Preparation to tankage. There is a second valve in this line that is normally open, but during this time it was closed. The second valve being closed led to a pressure increase in T-31 and caused the safety valve to release. The towe pressure was returne Followup: No Notes: Remeidal Measures - An investigation is ongoing and appropriate follow-up actions will be completed. Exxon states in their report that the accident was preventable. Their explanation is that the safety valve did not restart as it should have, nor did the operator know the second valve was closed. Could this be human error in addition to Instrument failur | 60.0 pounds |
| 85270 2006-01-19 | #2 Light Ends Unit (E-568) | Cause: #2 Light Ends Unit experinenced a leak from their rebolier exchanger. The failure mechanism causing the leak in the exchanger is listed as unknown. Followup: No Notes: Incidents 06-00380, 06-00401 occurred simultaneously on January 19th and on Jan. 20th 06-00406 occurred, overlapping with the first two. The reportable quanitites for highly reactive volitile organic compounds and flamable vapors were exceeded whenthe emissions from these three events were summed over the first 24 hour period beginning with the initiantion of the rlease from the No. 2 Powerformer Unit. With regard to the 24 hour period beginning with the release at the MTBE Unit, there were nportable quanity exceedances for this period of time. The emissions limit exceeded the reportable quanitity threshold only during the time when all three incidents were taking place simultaneously. The mortar in T-4X will be replaced with a Furan re | 2.0 pounds |
| 100273 2007-10-17 | Exchanger leak-at Heavy Cat Naptha Unit | Cause: Leaking tubes and gasket Followup: Yes Notes: Unit was shut down to stop release. Exchanger will be inspected and repaired as appropriate. If warranted, follow will be reporte | 145.0 pounds |
| 99633 2007-09-20 | atmospheric release | Cause: Followup: Yes Notes: Unit depressurized immediately in accordance with emergency process. Investigation is ongoing, appropriate follow up will be complete | 313.0 pounds |
| 99374 2007-09-12 | Release FLARE-Flare #5,8,9,17,23 | Cause: c-101 Recycle Compressor on the HCLA unit shutdown due to an instrumentation tubing failure. Compressor trip activated the units emergency depressureization procedure. Followup: Yes Notes: The unit was depressurized immediately in accordance to emergency procedures. Tubing on the seal oil pump was replaced and properly connected. The investigation is ongoin so an appropriate follow up will be completed. Under Investigation. | 313.0 pounds |
| 96828 2007-06-06 | Flare | Cause: cooling tower pump failed Followup: No Notes: Several units were shut down to avoid a serious safety incident or property damage. The pump was repaired and returned to service | 32.0 pounds |
| 96760 2007-06-04 | Release-Tank vapor release | Cause: employee inadvertently deactivated vapor recovery system Followup: No Notes: the vapor recovery unit was restarted upon the discovery that it was deactivated. | 64.0 pounds |
| 94555 2007-03-10 | release on Water Clarification unit | Cause: Followup: Yes Notes: area was evacuated to prevent unathorize entry until release ended. | 29.0 pounds |
| 94023 2007-02-17 | safety valve release | Cause: safety valve release Followup: No Notes: unit feedrate was reduced until the faulty indicator could be repaired. | 40.0 pounds |
| 111124 2008-11-28 | NIG | Cause: According to the LDEQ incident report, a mixer seal on a gasoline tank leaked to the soil. Followup: No Notes: According to the LDEQ incident report, the release possibly exceeded the benzene RQ, but refinery letter states that release is BRQ. | |
| 110987 2008-11-24 | NIG | Cause: Emissions through a cooling tower, but no information provided regarding the cause. Followup: No Notes: LDEQ report indicates the release could exceed RQ for H2S and benzene, but refinery report indicates no RQs were exceeded. | |
| 110370 2008-10-26 | NIG | Cause: According to the LDEQ incident report, a containment device bolt developed a leak and released a mixture of benzene and flammable gases. Followup: No Notes: Release is BRQ. | |
| 110234 2008-10-20 | benzene/waster line going to benzene waste NESHAP treatment system | Cause: A hole in a benzene/water line going to the benzene waste NESHAP treatment system leaked. Followup: No Notes: Exxon cut the flow to the line. The release was BRQ. | |
| 109031 2008-09-13 | Pipestill #10 tower | Cause: According to the LDEQ incident report, a leak in the Pipestill #10 tower spilt material on to concrete. Followup: No Notes: Water spray applied to knock down vapors. Some vaporized from the tower to air. Benzene and xylene were involved and initially reported as above reportable quantity. Exxon flared material for 29 minutes from the tower to isolate and make needed repairs. | |
| 107580 2008-07-29 | Exchanger | Cause: Followup: No Notes: Due to the presence of a film on the surface of the water in the cooling tower basin, it was suspected that an exchanger was leaking oil into the cooling water. After diligent searching over the last week, no leaking exchanger has been identified. Since the initial sighting, the film has disappeared. Exxon will continue to closely monitor the water quality in the cooling tower through regular sampling and unit observations. No reportable quantities have been exceeded. | |
| 107539 2008-07-26 | Hydrocracker unit reactor #101 safety valve flange | Cause: Hydrocracker unit Reactor #101 safety valve flange is leaking. Followup: No Notes: source is subject to facility's Leak Detection and Repair program and is permittable activity under Hydroprocessing Complex Title V permit. | |
| 107535 2008-07-26 | F-4 furnace | Cause: F-4 furnace in the Powerformer is leaking six drops per minute. Followup: No Notes: Drops have some gasoline components. A steam lance is being put on the head of the furnace. | |
| 107496 2008-07-24 | oil spill | Cause: Approximately 1.6 barrels of powerformer feed was discovered in the knoxfield separator, which is a tankfield stormwater collection sump. The exact source of this oil is unknown. When the Refinery experience heavy rainfall on July 24th, it is suspected that the oil was flushed through the soil, into the sewer, and onto the separator that leaked from a line on July 18th. Followup: No Notes: A 5 gallon leak to soil of a similar material was discovered on July 18th. The July 18th leak was secured and no evidence of additional oil was found in the immediate area. A sample of the oil found in the separator on July 24th was analyzed and the characteristics were similar to that of the material from the July 18th leak. It is suspected that some oil from the previous leak may have migrated through the soil and into the sewer leading to this separator. A vacuum truck picked up the oil in the separator. The separator is monitored for additional oil that may accumulate in the next few weeks after the spill occurred as a result of the rain flushing the oil out of the sewer. The line that was found leaking on July 18th will be permanently repaired. | 2.0 pounds |
| 107363 2008-07-18 | Spill/suction line | Cause: Leaking oil was caused by an improperly installed blind on a common suction line used for mixing gasoline components. Followup: No Notes: A vacuum truck immediately began to pick up the pooled oil. The blind was reinstalled and other installations for the same mechanical work were checked. Contaminated soil removed. The LDEQ reportable quantity for oil to soil (1 barrel) was exceeded and the RQ for Benzene (10 lbs) was also exceeded. Amount of Light Cat Naptha released was 11.3 barrels and amount of benzene released was 31.7 pounds. | 32.0 pounds |
| 106980 2008-07-07 | Cause: A heat exchanger was leaking into cooling water. The leak is suspected to be release a volume of gases that exceed the RQ. Followup: No Notes: The plan was to isolate the exchanger and stop the leak. | 10.0 pounds | |
| 106981 2008-07-07 | flare | Cause: Cause of release to the air form the flare is unknown. Followup: No Notes: Written report states no reportable quantities were exceeded. | 10.0 pounds |
| 107010 2008-07-06 | Pulldown line leak/FLARE-Flare 5,17,29 | Cause: Leak was discovered on the pulldown line for the Product Separator Drum at the Powerformer Unit. Initial findings indicate that the leak was caused by internal corrosion of the weld in a stagnant area of the line. Followup: No Notes: The line could not be isolated from the drum, so the decision was made to shutdown the unit in order to stop the leak. The line was completely depressured. During the process of shutting down the unit, flaring occurred from the #5, 17, and 19 flared. No reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of the flaring. Regular air monitoring was conducted during this event. The spool piece that leaked was replaced with a straight piece of pipe to eliminate the stagnant area in the line. Reportable quantities for benzene and flammable vapors was exceeded. | 21.0 pounds |
| 106262 2008-06-07 | Atmospheric release/FLARE-Flare 17,19,23 | Cause: The C-101 Recycle Compressor on the HCLA unit shut down due to a fault in the transformer that supplies power to the compressor motor. The compressor trip automatically activated the units emergency depressurization procedures, which caused gases in the HCLA reactor system to be vented to the atmosphere via the condensable blow down drum. The transformer failed due to overheating. The air conditioner in the substation was found to have failed causing the temperature in the building to increase and the transformer to overheat. FLaring also occurred. Followup: Yes Notes: The unit was depressurized automatically in accordance with the emergency procedures. Temporary ventilation conditioning was installed in the substation to cool the remaining electrical equipment. Total amount of flammable vapor released was 108,206 pounds. Total amount of VOC's released was 93,904 pounds | 275.0 pounds |
| 105933 2008-05-25 | Cause: SPOC report states far east coker drum # 501 developed a leak on the thermal well (looks cracked). Followup: No Notes: SPOC report states a steam hose was put on leak. Batch process lasts until around 4, the leak will then be stopped and they will be able to access the crack. | ||
| 105542-105544 2008-05-11 | safety valve release/ FLARE-Flare 17,23 | Cause: process upset/under investigation Followup: Yes Notes: In response to the suspected exchanger tube leak, the unit was shut down per appropriate procedures. Safety valve inlet line was cleaned and replaced. | |
| 105358 2008-05-04 | pipe fitting | Cause: There was a pin hole leak in a pipe fitting leaking a flammable liquid. Followup: No Notes: The pipe is in an area that requires special equipment to reach, requiring having to get someone to come out and make the repairs. Flammable liquid that was leaked is described as power forming feed. | |
| 105322 2008-05-03 | Cause: Experienced a slight leak on a flange. Followup: No Notes: Product released is reformer feed. Attempts to stop the leak are ongoing at time of SPOC report. | ||
| 104962-104935 2008-04-20 | leak/FLARE-Flare 5,9,19,20,24 | Cause: Equipment failure-Hydrocracker unit down; Pressure Swing Absorber out of service Followup: No Notes: Safety valve released itself once the pressure stabilized. Lights end section was depressured to stop H2S leak, which caused many flares to burn. Light ends depressured. Stream was lined up to the tower to stop flarin | |
| 104518 2008-04-07 | gasoline spill | Cause: Pinhole leak occurred in a line in the Knox tank farm area. Followup: No Notes: The leak went into the oil. Some may have vaporized to the air. | |
| 103931 2008-03-14 | Cause: A lead line on the analyzer developed a small leak from the threads. It's located on the Light ends unit. Followup: No Notes: Amount of chemicals released is unknown. | ||
| 102686 2008-01-29 | FLARE-Flare 9 | Cause: equipment failure Followup: No Notes: Written report from Exxon Mobile surrounding the flaring accident stating that the source was found to be several leaking evacuator valves on the flare gas compressor system. Steam was injected into the flare drum, and RGCU gas gointo to the flare drumwas blocked out. The leaking evacuator valves were also replace | |
| 102529 2008-01-23 | FLARE-Flare 9 | Cause: Equipment Failure( leaking RGCU evacuator valve) Followup: No Notes: Report from Exxon Mobile surrounding the flaring incident stated that steam was injected into the flare drum, and the RGCU gas going to the flare drum was blocked out. The #9 flare was isolated from the rest of the flaring system. Report stated the leaking evacuator valve would be replace | |
| 102233 2008-01-11 | Flange leak | Cause: Followup: No Notes: DEQ detected vapors containing pollutants with a HAWK camera after receiving odor complaint from citizen. Leaking flange was replaced on 01/11/08. See citizen complaint 01/10/08,Incident #10221 | |
| 127398 2009-11-03 | No Information Given | Cause: There was a pinhole leak in a pipe releasing benzene, VOC, xylene, and flammable gas. Followup: No Notes: The Unit was Shut Down. Below Reportable Quantities | |
| 118829 2009-10-17 | transfer piping | Cause: Failure of line of transfer piping from gasoline tankage to loading line due to corrosion at the air-soil interface of piping. Followup: No Notes: RQ exceeded. Isolated line with blind installation. Replaced with new piping and special program has been initiated to emphasis piping that may be subject to air-soil interface corrosion. Contaminated soil removed. The refinery letter misstates that the accident occurred on 08/21/09. The following RQs were exceeded: xylene, toulene, ethylbenzene, napthalene, benzene, n-hexane, cyclohexane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, VOCs, oil to soil, and flammable vapor. | 2,521.0 pounds |
| 118103 2009-09-22 | No Information Given | Cause: Leak into cooling tower. Followup: Yes Notes: RQ not exceeded. Isolating exchanger to determine leaking substance. | |
| 116863 2009-07-28 | flare system | Cause: PCLA-2 Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit restart caused discharge. Unit unexpectedly shutdown earlier in the day. Restart caused pressure to build and ultimately flaring. Followup: No Notes: RQ for SO2 exceeded. State Police HAZMAT report and company reports differ in pollutants. Feed was reduced o the unit, temperatures within unit was decreased and compressor was restarted. | |
| 116052 2009-06-27 | No Information Given | Cause: Leak occurred in coker from thermowell. Followup: No Notes: RQ not exceeded. | |
| 115284 2009-05-26 | No Information Given | Cause: Leak occurred, but no information regarding the cause. Followup: No Notes: In the SPOC verbal report, Exxon indicated that the individual condensers were isolated to determine source of leak. This release is BRQ. LABB does not have access to the LDEQ incident report. | |
| 115217 2009-05-26 | No Information Given | Cause: Leak occurred under tower insulation in piping. Followup: No Notes: Initial reports indicate that release of VOCs and Benzene could exceed RQ, but refinery letter assures the release was BRQ. | |
| 115216 2009-05-22 | No Information Given | Cause: The PV vent is venting due to high pressure and a safety valve release. Followup: No Notes: The SPOc verbal report indicates that this release occurred on 05/24/09, but the refinery report states that the report occurred on 05/22/09. This release is BRQ. | |
| 115082 2009-05-19 | pressure relief valves pressure relief valve | Cause: An Unexpected shutdown of a hydrocracker was caused by a failed thermocouple. The thermocouple failed, resulting in a low temperature reading, but then began reading erroneously high. The false high temperature reading resulted in the automatic emergency shutdown of the hydrocracking unit. The thermocouple is connected to the emergency shutdown to protect the unit from temperature runaway. The shutdown device reacted as designed. Followup: No Notes: Unit was shutdown and area secured. The RQs for flammable vapor, VOCs, H2S, and benzene was exceeded. | 275.0 pounds |
| 114573 2009-04-30 | No Information Given | Cause: Leak occurred, but no information provided regarding the cause. Followup: No Notes: RQ not exceeded. LABB does not have access to the LDEQ incident report. | |
| 114479 2009-04-27 | FLARE | Cause: Flaring occurred when compressor tripped off line. Followup: No Notes: RQ not exceeded. Restarted compressor. No LDEQ report or follow up. | |
| 114483 2009-04-26 | safety valve on coker drum safety vavle on coker drum | Cause: Safety valve release on coker drum. Followup: No Notes: RQ not exceeded. Material rerouted to another drum. | |
| 113795 2009-03-30 | No Information Given | Cause: Safety valve lifted on tank. Pressure dropped. Followup: No Notes: RQ not exceeded. | |
| 113059 2009-03-02 | A and B exchanger on #4 depropanizer | Cause: Hydrocarbon leak coming from one of two banks of exchangers of the #4 depropanizer. It is leaking from the shell side of the exchanger into the cooling tower water in the tube side of the exchanger. Leak was the result of unexpected corrosion of exchanger tubes. Followup: No Notes: RQ for propylene exceeded. Leaking exchangers isolated as soon as leak location determined. Tower was shut down and leaking tubes in overhead condensers were plugged to prevent further release. | |
| 112755 2009-02-16 | NIG | Cause: According to the SPOC verbal report, a leak to a cooling tower occurred, but no information provided about the cause. The source of the leak is still under investigation. Followup: No Notes: RQ not exceeded. | |
| 112781 2009-02-16 | No Information Given | Cause: According to the SPOC verbal report, a leak from the bottom of a tank caused the release. Followup: No Notes: Release is BRQ. | |
| 112781 2009-02-16 | No Information Given | Cause: According to the SPOC verbal report, a leak from the bottom of a tank caused the release. Followup: No Notes: Release is BRQ. | |
| 127778 2010-11-20 | distillate line from a coker | Cause: Pinhole leak on a distillate line from a coker. Followup: No Notes: This release is BRQ. ExxonMobil caught liquid material in bucket and some evaporated. A block was added on the line, and ExxonMobil are currently depressurizing the line for repair." | 1.0 gallons |
| 127694 2010-11-13 | Tanks 90, 282, 99, 100, 101, and 261 | Cause: A compressor solenoid [computer] in the vapor recovery unit(VRU) developed an electrical short, which caused the VRU to shut down. The shut down caused atmosphere vents on Tanks 90, 282, 99, 100, 101, and 261 to open and relieve excess pressure. Released 2% Benzene and flammable gas. Followup: No Notes: Electricians repaired the solenoid and returned the VRU to service. They manually isolated natural gas flow from the tanks. Area around the tanks were monitored with gas test machines (readings below detection limit). Operation personnel monitored the area for odor. The RQs for benzene and flammable vapor were exceeded. | 44.0 pounds |
| 127376 2010-10-28 | FLARE | Cause: Pressure instrument failed & resulted in flaring. FLARE. Followup: No Notes: BRQ. Below Reportable Quantities. | |
| 126044 2010-08-30 | west coker | Cause: Strainer developed a leak at west coker. Followup: No Notes: This release was BRQ. | 10.0 pounds |
| 124763 2010-07-09 | Pipeline | Cause: Pipeline was leaking. Monitoring ongoing. Followup: No Notes: BRQ. Refinery states that "not enough leaked for exceedances. Remediation completed. No offsite leaking occurred." | |
| 124487 2010-06-26 | Tank #100 pressure vacuum vent | Cause: Tank #100 pressure vacuum vent blew releasing benzene. Followup: No Notes: ExxonMobil lowered the pressure to close the vent. LABB only has access to the LDEQ incident report. This release was BRQ. | |
| 123402 2010-05-12 | heat exchanger E-578 | Cause: T-570 reboiler [tubing] bundle in heat exchanger E-578 leaked at the #2 Light Ends Unit. Followup: No Notes: Leak isolated, blocked away, and exchanger shut down to stop the leak. No information provided regarding the amount of material released or if release was RQ. LABB only has access to LDEQ incident report. | |
| 123218 2010-05-03 | Powerformer tower | Cause: Atmospheric safety valve lifted on the Powerformer tower due to operational issues with gas compressor that supply material to different refining units. Followup: No Notes: Relieving the pressure on the tower did not reseat the valve. Operators suited up and isolated the valve when it reseated stopping the release. Procedures for removing the compressors from service will be altered to prevent a similar occurrence. This release exceeded the RQ for flammable vapors. | 8.0 pounds |
| 120699 2010-01-10 | vacuum jet on vapor recovery system | Cause: Vacuum jet that keeps the vapor recovery system failed due to cold weather. Benzene vented to atmosphere intermittently and restarted once thawed.
Written report states that block in fuel gas line due to subfreezing temperatures resulted in back pressure on blowdown drum which blew intermittently its atmospheric seal. HCE vacuum jet sends vapors from several tanks in Aromatics unit to this blow down drum ( BD-106) and resulted in tank venting to atmosphere. Amount of Benzene released from these two sources is 66 lb. Followup: No Notes: Release exceeds RQ. Exxon thawed liquid line, vacuumed liquid away and restarted jet. Steps in place to eliminate freeze points and restore flare gas pressure. LABB only has access to State Police and LDEQ reports. | 66.0 pounds |
| 120700 2010-01-10 | number 10 Pipe - Still Unit | Cause: Pipeline leaked wastewater with benzene to the pavement. Followup: No Notes: Release was BRQ. Could be same freeze-related problem as DEQ #120677 from the same day involving a leaking of wastewater and benzene, but is unclear given incomplete information provided. | |
| 120701 2010-01-10 | leaking pipe | Cause: Benzene spill possibly due to pipe leaking in freezing weather. Followup: No Notes: No Refinery letter. LDEQ report indicates refinery filed a report with State Police detailing the event, but it's not included in the file. | |
| 120677 2010-01-09 | unspecified piping | Cause: Discharge piping on pump had freeze related damage. Followup: No Notes: Release is below reportable quantities. | |
| 135174 2011-11-09 | Naphtha line NIG | Cause: This LDEQ incident report documents two separate Benzene and VOC releases.
The first release of Benzene occurred at 10:00 on 11/9/11 was due to a pinhole leak in a Naphtha line.
The second release of VOCs with a percentage of Benzene which occurred at 10:10 the same day and secured within approximately ten seconds later via an automatic safety valve. The unit was shutdown for repair. This incident was caused by a process upset. Followup: No Notes: The first incident was resolved when a clamp was placed to contain the leak. The second incident was resolved when a safety valve kicked in and the unit was shut down. Air monitoring in the area by Exxon showed non-detect for both incidents. The leak that occurred in the first incident released 9 gallons of material with a 1.2% weight of benzene. This is below reportable quantity. The second incident released more than 1,000 pounds of VOCs and flammable vapors, but they were released into a cooling tower and this did not vent into the atomsphere. Since nothing vented into the atmosphere, this release is below reportable quantity. An initial notification indicated that more than 10 pounds of benezene had been released which is RQ. LABB does not have access to the refinery's incident report. | 9.0 gallons |
| 134402 2011-10-05 | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | Cause: On 10/5/11 at approximately 7:25 pm, the Baton Rouge Refinery discovered a release. A leak was discovered by operations personnel during structured rounds at the Pipestill #9 Unit. The release source was determined by a cooling tower, and investigation determined that heat exchangers in the E-2 bank were allowing hydrocarbon to enter the cooling water system. Upon discovery, personnel lowered the E-2 hydrocarbon pressure. By maintaining the hydrocarbon pressure below the cooling water pressure, hydrocarbon will not be released into the water. Gas testing performed in the area confirms that the release ended when the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered. Review of Pipestill #9 operations indicate the release likely began around noon on 10/5. Followup: No Notes: Weather conditions at the time of this release: 87 degrees, 6 mph wind from the east, no precipitation. To end the release, the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered, By maintaining the tower pressure below the cooling water pressure, hydrocarbon will not be released into the water. To prevent recurrence, the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered. The computer control system has been adjusted to minimize the tower pressure. A permanent bundle repair will be completed the next time the exchangers are removed from service. Reportable quantities of benzene and naptha were exceeded. | 25.8 |
| 134110 2011-09-22 | Underground crude line | Cause: Oil was discovered on the ground, and excavation revealed that there was a pinhole leak in an underground crude line. Followup: No Notes: Vacuum trucks were used to remove oil, soil was being re-mediated, and a clamp was placed on the pipe to prevent further release. All of the release was contained onsite.5051lbs of total VOC released with the addition of Benzene and Naphthalene at 59 lbs and 179 lbs respectively. The Total of Other VOCs that do not include Benzene and Naphthalene is 4813lbs but still exceeds the reportable quantity for the EPA and LDEQ. RQ for Oil is 42gal, Benzene is 10 lbs, VOC is 5000 lbs, and Naphthalene is 100 lbs. | 59.0 pounds |
| 132752 2011-07-27 | CT-39 | Cause: A release of benzene was discovered when a routine sampling of cooling water tower was analyzed. The release occurred from cooling tower CT-39. No information about what caused the leak. Followup: No Notes: After further testing the cooling tower water, no RQs were exceeded. | |
| 132414 2011-07-14 | underground pipe leak E-700f and RHLA-1 underground pipe leak | Cause: An underground line of cat naphtha is leaking. This release was discovered while digging around the pipe. Approximately 3.5 barrels of oil and 9 lbs of benzene leaked from an underground pipe. Additionally, there was a release at the RHLA-1 unit of 7 lbs of benzene from the channel box of E-700F, with makes a total release of 16 lbs of benzene. This amount it reportable quantity. Followup: No Notes: Vacuum trucks were used to remove oil as it was release, and soil remediation was completed by 7/15/11. The underground pipe and RHLA-1 will be repaired. This release was reportable quantity. | 16.0 pounds |
| 131965 2011-06-23 | Pin hole leak in piping | Cause: A pin hole leak was found in a piece of piping connected as discharge from the Hydro Cracker Effluent. Followup: No Notes: No information given regarding remedial action. CO monitor was used to detect the hydrogen leak and read 600ppm. BRQ | |
| 130240 2011-03-29 | Flare: Unspecified flare | Cause: The GLA-3X gas compressor shut down resulting in flaring. Followup: No Notes: The 2x compressor was started to stop flaring. | |
| 130000 2011-03-18 | Cooling Tower #25: exchanger | Cause: LDEQ states that a leak developed in the exchanger at cooling tower #25, resulting in the release of volatile organic compounds, hydrogen sulfide, benzene and propylene. Followup: No Notes: The cooling tower exchangers were blocked out and repaired. LDEQ report only. No Refinery Letter. | |
| 128817 2011-01-25 | Underground Pipe | Cause: LDEQ states that an underground pipe was being excavated for inspection, and powerformer feed, which contains benzene and naphtha were released. Incident location was identified in SPOC report as corner of V and 3rd streets between units. Followup: No Notes: BRQ. A hole was dug, and the chemicals were vacuumed out. Soil was also cleaned up. Refinery letter states that "due to prompt incident response no reportable quantities were exceeded." | |
| 143543 2012-08-29 | 2795-V6, Refinery Tank Farm | Cause: ExxonMobil Refinery Plant reported several operating compliance matters and potential RQ exceedances resulting from upset conditions caused by Hurricane Isaac.
Tank 109: An external roof vent was discovered missing on tank 109. There was no damage to the floating roof of this tank and there are no additional emissions from the missing vent on the external roof of tank 109.
Tank Socks: Multiple tank socks were discovered missing.
Tank 785 Pontoon Covers: Four pontoon covers were discovered blown off tank 785.
External Storage: No flaring occurred as a result of the temporary shutdown/curtail of butane and isobutane to alternative despositions to eliminate potential flaring
Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS):
CEMS analyzers at the BRRF may have experienced less than 90% data availability. Followup: No Notes: Tank 109: There were no additional emissions from the missing vent on the external roof of tank 109. Tank Socks: The missing socks will be replaced as soon as possible (or within 45 days). Tank 785 Pontoon Covers: Upon discovery, the pontoon covers were repositioned. There were no excess emissions. External Storage: No flaring occurred as a result of the temporary shutdown/curtail of butane and isobutane to alternative despositions to eliminate potential flaring Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS): ExxonMobil is working to determine the extent to which the CEMS analyzers may have malfunctioned. The findings will be included in the CEMS quarterly report. The report lists a summary of estimated pounds released until repairs. The report suggests that estimates are assuming it would take 45 days to make necessary repairs. | |
| 140708 2012-06-25 | analyzer supply line | Cause: An analyzer supply line was discovered leaking. Followup: No Notes: Upon discovery the liquid material was collected on absorbent pads, and properly disposed of. The line was immediately isolated and depressured to stop the leak. | |
| 138524 2012-03-30 | Cooling tower #32 | Cause: Sample results indicated a release to cooling tower #32. The initial test results that indicated possible releases were later found to be erroneous, and there was no release to the cooling tower. Followup: No Notes: The refinery letter states that the initial test results were erroneously high, and there was no release to the cooling tower. | |
| 138347 2012-03-23 | Cooling Towers 20 and 21 | Cause: A leak in the exchanger released benzene from cooling towers 20 and 21. Followup: No Notes: Facility staff looked for and isolated the source of the leak. Sample results for the cooling tower were back to normal range. ExxonMobil initially reported that 10 pounds of benzene was released to an ongoing tower leak. High sample results were received for the tower. However, after further evaluation, the facility determined that no RQs were exceeded. | |
| 137984 2012-03-16 | Pipe band on PCLA unit | Cause: A pinhole leak was discovered on the top of a pipe band on the PCLA unit. Followup: No Notes: Due to prompt incident response, no RQs were exceeded. LABB does not have access to the LDEQ or SPOC reports. 158 pounds of flammable vapor, .44 pounds of benzene, and .05 pounds of 1,3-butadiene were released as a result of this event. | 0.4 pounds |
| 137391 2012-02-22 | Unspecified 3/4" line | Cause: A leak was discovered on a 3/4" line. No other information given. Followup: No Notes: The line was isolated and the leak was secured. Initially, 10 lbs of benzene, 10 lbs of 1,3-butadiene, and 1000 lbs of flammable vapors were reported as being released, but in the written report, Exxon reports that only 209.22 pounds of flammable vapor, 0.85 pounds of benzene, and 0.14 pounds of 1,3-butadiene was released. | 0.9 pounds |
| 137359 2012-02-18 | FLARE: Flare #7 | Cause: Excessive rainfall caused an electrical ground fault to occur with some of the compressor's control instrumentation causing the three compressors to shut down. excesses gases were released to the flares. Followup: No Notes: Air monitoring occurred and eventually two of the three compressors were brought back on-line and flaring ceased. There is no refinery Incident report and no SPOC report attached to this file. | 10.4 pounds |
| 137212 2012-02-14 | West Coker T-101 | Cause: The West Coker T-101 safety valve lifted when the gas balance line valves went into the fail close position due to the failure of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). A fault signal was received by the PLC card causing it to fail. Followup: No Notes: The PLC card was reset. | 11.0 pounds |
| 136643 2012-01-20 | Cooling tower 35 | Cause: In the initial report, sample results indicated a release of estimated 632 pounds of benzene due to a pressurized leak in the cooling tower. After further evaluation, ExxonMobil determined that the sample results were erroneously high and that there was no release to the cooling tower. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) levels were elevated to 31 ppm. Followup: No Notes: ExxonMobil's revised statement concerning the quantity released was based on the results that it gained from the El Paso cooling tower sampling method, an approved MACT CC compliance test method. EMBR states the results were erroneously high. | |
| 136413 2012-01-09 | PHLA unit T-2 tower | Cause: Normal operating overhead pressure was exceeded on the PHLA unit T-2 tower due to a pressure controller valve malfunction. Followup: No Notes: The bypass valve was opened to reduce tower pressure, the safety valve was reset, and the unit was returned to normal operating conditions. The pressure controller instrument was replaced immediately following the event. Only the reportable quantity for flammable vapor was exceeded. | 6.6 pounds |
| 152732 2013-12-05 | HCLA Unit | Cause: On December 5, the Recycle Feed pump at the HCLA unit experienced an unplanned shut down, causing material to be released to the site's flare gas system and atmospheric safety valves to lift. The unplanned shutdown occurred while swapping the in-service pump with a spare pump for a preventable maintenance inspection. The Recycle Feed pump was immediately isolated and unit feed rate was safely and quickly decreased to minimize flaring and emissions to the atmosphere. This incident is under investigation to determine the exact root cause and to provide mitigating steps to prevent recurrence.
The reportable quantity for flammable vapor, VOC, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and benzene was exceeded as a result of this event.
Follow up report submitted 1/30/2014. Investigation of the accident indicated the failure occurred due to a reverse over speed event caused by a failed pump discharge check valve. Followup: Yes Notes: Immediately upon the pump shutdown, unit feed rate was safely and quickly decreased to minimize flaring and emissions to the atmosphere. Installed two new check valves on the common discharge line in this service to mitigate backward flow. | 17.0 pounds |
| 152086 2013-10-30 | No Information Given | Cause: Followup: No Notes: Due to prompt incident response to mitigate the event duration, no reportable quantities were exceeded. | 5.0 pounds |
| 151767 2013-10-22 | Combined cooling tower return line | Cause: Followup: No Notes: Initial El Paso sampling of the combined cooling tower return line indicated a leak rate of 16 lbs/day of hydrogen sulfide and 7 lbs/day of benzene. Additional sampling was performed on the individual cooling tower return lines that combine to become the main line that was initially tested. Results from this additional sampling of the three individual lines showed no active leak. With this additional information, it was determined that there were issues with the original sampling of the combined return line. Therefore, no reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this event. | |
| 148914 2013-05-26 | No Information Given | Cause: On May 26, 2013, there was a secured crude oil release to concrete slab at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery. Followup: No Notes: The Refinery letter states that approximately 7 gallons of crude oil reached the soil, which resulted in less than 1 pound of benzene being released. The LDEQ Verbal Report states that the release was characterized as 30 gallons of crude oil and less than 10 lbs of benzene.The State Police Form shows an update in which total oil released was 32 gallons and total benzene released was 0.22 lbs. | 1.0 pounds |
| 148727 2013-05-15 | Sewer | Cause: On May 15, 2013 at approximately 8:20 a.m. Exxon Mobil received an odor complaint from an employee checking the sewer seal box near the KDLA unit along 15th street. Upon further investigation light hydrocarbon material was detected coming from the sewer. Precautionary safety measures were taken by limiting access to this area within the facility. Air monitoring was conducted at the sewer grade, 6 feet away from the sewer, and along the fence line. Directly at the sewer Exxon Mobil received a maximum benzene reading of 8 pp. Six feet away from the closed sewer and at the fence line all readings for benzene and VOC were below the detection limit 0.05 ppm and 1 ppm respectively. Followup: No Notes: The sewer system was flushed at approximately 11:50 a.m. and an all clear notice was given at approximately 12:30 p.m. Due to prompt incident response to mitigate the event duration, no reportable quantities were exceeded. Less than 1 pound of benzene and VOC were released as a result of this event. | |
| 148805 2013-05-15 | No Information Given | Cause: On May 15, 2013, a release of benzene occurred at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery. Due to prompt incident response to mitigate the event duration, it was determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded. Followup: No Notes: | 9.2 pounds |
| 159804 2014-10-31 | No information given | Cause: Release occurred at the ExxonMobil refinery on 10/31/14. Initial calculations indicated a potential benzene reportable quantity exceedance. Though additional El Paso sampling and revised calculations, Exxon determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded. Less than ten pounds per day of benzene is being released as a result of this event. Followup: No Notes: | |
| 159495 2014-10-13 | No information given | Cause: Oil spill reported at ExxonMobil Refinery. Report states no reportable quantities were exceeded and no information given about accident cause. Followup: No Notes: | 4.5 pounds |
| 155266 2014-04-15 | Cooling Water Tower | Cause: On 04/15/2014 at 11:19, ExxonMobile received a high reading on a cooling tower water sample. A follow up letter from refinery on 04/22/2014 indicates that release was below reportable quantity Followup: No Notes: No information given. ExxonMobile designated event as non-emergency release. | |
| 154214 2014-03-01 | #2 Pentane line | Cause: On March 1, 2014 at approximately 11:14 a.m., a pinhole leak began on the #2 Pentane line. Followup: Notes: Upon discovery, the leak was isolated and the line was flushed with water to minimize overall environmental impact. The release was isolated and lined up to a pull down system. This incident is under investigation to determine the exact root cause and to provide mitigating steps to prevent recurrence. The reportable quantity for benzene and VOC was exceeded as a result of this event. | 11.0 pounds |
| 153297 2014-01-14 | No Information Given | Cause: ExxonMobil Refinery was doing testing and overpressured the system. The overpressure triggered a safety device to open resulting in a release of sulfur dioxide and benzene. Followup: No Notes: No information given. | 0.0 pounds |
| 153389 2014-01-14 | NIG | Cause: On January 14, 2014, a release of benzene and hydrogen sulfide was released. Followup: No Notes: Only document related to accident that LABB has access to is a one-page refinery letter dated January 21, 2014. | 6.0 pounds |
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