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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

Releases of Oil

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date
Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
100553

2007-10-26
Leak-unused line
Cause: External corrosion of unused line

Followup: No

Notes: Water washer was shut down and line was isolated to stop leak. Vaccum truck was used to remove oil from soil and surrounding concrete.
51.0 gallons
99493

2007-09-16
Spill
Cause: Incomplete weld on #1 PHLA Line

Followup: No

Notes: Once identified line was removed from service andleak was clamped to stop release. Line will be re routed in overhead pipeband.
1,260.0 gallons
99175

2007-09-05
oil spill
Cause: sample point on tank was halfway open

Followup: Yes

Notes: The sample point on tank was closed and efforts to recover oil began immediately
2,957.0 gallons
07-BB009-2373

2007-07-22
oil spill
Cause: no information given

Followup: No

Notes: Portion of spill released to offsite railroad.
97986

2007-07-20
Leak-aviation fuel leak
Spill
Cause: no information given

Followup: No

Notes: The material flowed out of an aboveground into a sewer located at the facility. The sewer line was blocked off to confine spillage.
916.0 gallons
94148

2007-02-23
Leak
Cause: failed seal

Followup: No

Notes: Line was removed from service and drained to minimize leak. Faulty seal was replaced.
92.0 gallons
107613

2008-07-30

Cause: Leak in a line was due to corrosion.

Followup: No

Notes: Amount of oil released is unknown. Amount was below the reportable quantity.
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.
107396

2008-07-19

Cause: Oil sheen was seen after rain.

Followup: No

Notes: LDEQ report stated excavation in refinery area, after rain saw an oil sheen on water in hole (cat naptha)oi
104916

2008-04-18

Cause: They were starting up a unit and the flange started leaking on the exchanger.

Followup: No

Notes: Amount of pollutant released is unknown.
104396

2008-04-01
oil spill
Cause: no information given

Followup: No

Notes: no information given
104128

2008-03-24
oil spill
Cause: no information given

Followup: No

Notes: no information given
No LDEQ Reported

2009-12-08
Outfall 003
Cause: The large volume of water after a heavy rainfall resulted in an oil sheen. Oil was release through Outfall 003 into bayou. The size and color of the sheen indicated a release of less than 1/4 gallon of oil.

Followup: No

Notes: Release is BRQ.
0.3 pounds
119868

2009-12-05
flange
Cause: Flange failure occurred during a hydrocarbon freeing procedure prior to performing maintenance on the unit. The flange failed after steam injection had been initiated, per procedure. Crude oil released exceeded RQs.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ exceeded. Vacuum trucks recovered material. Flange will be repaired.
117.6 pounds
119908

2009-12-04
frac tank
Cause: Level gauge on frac tank failed as tank was being water rinsed in preparation for chemical cleaning.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ exceeded. Water rinse pumps stopped and area barricaded. Vacuum trucks recovered the material. Level on frac tank repaired. Procedures will be adjusted to include visual level verifications. Contaminated soil removed.
957.6 pounds
119077

2009-10-28
transfer piping
Cause: Failure of transfer piping crude tankage from corrosion.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ exceeded. Pipe isolated and replaced. Contaminated soil removed.
88.2 pounds
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.
57,330.0 pounds
117818

2009-09-07
pipe
Cause: Leak from pipe near Ave I and 16th Street.

Followup: No

Notes: Release exceeded RQs. Line isolated and vacuum truck recovered majority of release. Line will be replaced with flanged spool piece. Contaminated soil will be removed.
239.4 pounds
117415

2009-08-21
insulated dead leg pipe
Cause: Leak from corrosion in insulated dead leg pipe.

Followup: No

Notes: Release is above RQs. Line isolated and insulation stripped from piping. A clamp was placed over leaking section. Contaminated soil removed. Long term solution is being determined.
168.0 pounds
115976

2009-06-25
seal on Tank 797
Cause: Seal failure from the Tk-797 mixer occurred.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ not exceeded. Container put in place to collect leaking material. Vacuum truck put in place to recover material from container and ensure container did not overflow to soil. Will remove mixer seal and replace.
92.4 pounds
114093

2009-04-13
Tk-192 mixer
Cause: Leak from seal failure of Tk-192 mixer.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ exceeded. Contaminated soil removed. Shut-off shaft to stop leak. Mechanism of failure is under investigation.
88.2 pounds
113528

2009-03-20
701 tank manifold
Cause: Flange leaking at 701 tanks manifold located at R and 20th. Flange not tightened properly. Reason for unaligned flange is under investigation.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ exceeded. Line evacuated and flange was realigned and tightened. Contaminated ground has been removed. New quality control application expected to come out of the investigation.
281.4 pounds
112927

2009-02-20
no information given
Cause: A leak on the bottom of a suction line to a tank released oil.

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.
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.
112606

2009-02-08
Coker Feed Pump: P-6
Cause: Leak occurred because a stream of cold feed entered the suction of the pump. When the cold stream reached the pump, the pump began to cavitate, causing excess vibration. The vibration caused a line coming off of the pump to break.

Followup: No

Notes: The failed piping will be replaced with an upgraded class to withstand future upsets of this nature. Contaminated soil has been remediated and disposed of properly. The RQs for PAHs and oil to soil was exceeded.
121.8 pounds
111875

2009-01-07
pipe on Avenue F (between 7th and 8th Street)
Cause: Pipe on Avenue F between 7th and 8th Street was corroded. This led to a section of leaking pipe.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ exceeded. Leaking pipe was isolated and a temporary clamp was placed over the leak. The line will be permanently repaired. Vacuum trucks were used to collect material, and the contaminated soil is in the process of being removed. No groundwater impacts were expected.
310.8 pounds
128383

2010-12-30
Outfall 003
Cause: ExxonMobil received over 3 inches of rain in an eight hour period during the evening of 12/29/10, and this large volume and intensity of water resulted in an oil sheen. Material was released through Outfall 003 into Mississippi River via Callahan's Bayou. The size and color of the sheen indicated a release of approximately .25 gallons of oil per National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sheen estimating guidance.

Followup: No

Notes: Sheen boomed off & cleaned up. Additionally, boom at Callahan's Bayou that was found broken was replaced. Duration of release was approximately 1h 40m from discovery to cleanup completion. This incident will be reviewed through the Refinery's stormwater compliance program, STOP (Sewer Tracking and Oil Prevention) to evaluate responses to future potential rainstorms.
0.3 gallons
127568

2010-11-06
No information given
Cause: An underground Heavy Coker Gas Oil line leaked, spilling oil into the soil.

Followup: No

Notes: Exxon states that vacuum trucks removed oil. The contaminated soil will be disposed of properly. Clamp was placed on line until it can be permanently repaired. This release exceeded RQs for oil to soil.
130.2 gallons
127418

2010-10-30
Bleeder valve
Cause: Oil leaked into soil from a partially open bleeder. A full investigation is ongoing to discover the cause of this incident.

Followup: No

Notes: The bleeder was closed, plugged and more mitigations were added. Released exceeded LDEQ reportable quantity for oil to soil.
646.8 gallons
126044

2010-08-30
west coker
Cause: Strainer developed a leak at west coker.

Followup: No

Notes: This release was BRQ.
19.0 gallons
124680

2010-07-08
Valve
Cause: A valve leak with packaging was discovered. There was no active leaking when discovered.

Followup: No

Notes: BRQ. The location was excavated and remediated. One-fourth of a pint of jet was discovered. The area will remain open for monitoring. Less than one gallon of oil was released which is BRQ.
1.0 gallons
123867

2010-06-01
No information given
Cause: Oil leaked to ground. No additional details given.

Followup: No

Notes: Approximately .25 bbls of oil leaked to the ground. This release is BRQ. LABB only has access to the LDEQ incident report.
10.5 gallons
123916

2010-05-31
Underground Crude Line
Cause: Oil was spilled due to a leak in an underground crude line. Oil was discovered on the ground.

Followup: No

Notes: This release is RQ. Absorbent pads and vacuum trucks were used to remove the oil, and excavated soil will be disposed of properly. The pipe was clamped and evacuated. There are no plans to return the line to service.
394.8 pounds
123517

2010-05-16
Tank 1523
Cause: Oil found floating on water inside the Tank 1523 firewall in Anchorage Tank Farm. Oil leaked from tank roof drain during heavy rain. A corroded leg sleeve was determined to be the leak source. Secondary cause noted as storms.

Followup: No

Notes: Tank roof drain blocked and absorbent boom deployed around tank. Vacuum truck used to remove floating oil. Leg sleeve will be repaired before returning tank to service. 3.9 barrels of oil was released which is RQ.
163.8 gallons
123223

2010-05-04
Unfinished Jet Fuel Line
Cause: LDEQ Spill Report states that oil was spilled due to a leak in an underground, unfinished jet fuel line.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ. Vacuum trucks were used to remove oil, and contaminated soil was placed in roll-off boxes. The line was CLAMPED to prevent future leaks. Refinery letter also states that there were "no offsite impacts, injuries, or complaints as a result of this incident."
1,344.0 gallons
121915

2010-03-05
Tank Transfer Piping
Cause: Underground corrosion caused a failure in the line of tank transfer piping.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ. When the leak was discovered, the underground line was isolated via block valves. The failed line was CLAMPED to prevent further leaks. Contaminated soil was removed to confirm the leak source. Refinery letter also states that there were "no offsite impacts, injuries, or complaints as a result of this incident."
2,742.6 gallons
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.
494.6 gallons
132863

2011-08-02
NIG
Cause: No information provided about the cause of an 18 gallon oil release.

Followup: No

Notes: Soil was re-mediated. No RQs were exceeded as a result of this event. 6 gallons of oil reached off site. LABB does not have access to the LDEQ incident report.
18.0 gallons
132573

2011-07-19
dock berth #2
Cause: Oil was released from a steam tracing line that runs through dock loading arms' drain pan into the Mississippi River. Oil had inadvertently entered the steam tracing, and when the tracing was opened to remove condensate from the system, the oil was released and deflected to the water.

Followup: No

Notes: Booms were used to isolate the area and absorbent pads were used to remove the oil from surface water. The oil was collected, and no groundwater impacts are expected. Future steam tracing will be oil free before returning to service.
0.1 gallons
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.
514.5 gallons
131217

2011-05-14
No Information Given
Cause: An oil sheen was reported in ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge Refinery #2 Basin and Callahan Bayou with an oil sheen of 20x30 feet. No further information was given. There was offsite impact at Callahan Bayou.

Followup: No

Notes: This release is BRQ. The approximate amount of oil released was about 10 gallons. LDEQ report states that the sheen was cleaned the same day it was discovered. LABB only has access to the LDEQ incident report.
10.0 gallons
130816

2011-04-24
Tube Valve On Exchanger
Cause: LDEQ states that an unknown quantity of oil was released when an operator was doing a pressure survey. A one half inch tube valve on an exchanger failed, resulting in the spill. Approximately 208 pounds of vapor were released.

Followup: No

Notes: This release was BRQ. The oil was cleaned.
129079

2011-02-06
Valve Bonnet Gasket
Valve Bonnet Gasket & Exchanger E-527
Cause: TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON SAME DAY & INCLUDED IN SAME REPORT. Emissions from second incident breached the reportable threshold for a 24-hour period. First incident - LDEQ states that there was a leak in a valve bonnet gasket. Lube oil was spilled. 2nd incident involved a release from Light Ends Unit #3. Exchanger E-527 leaked into a condensate system that is open to the atmosphere. A follow up report will be submitted with the root cause in 30 days.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ. The valve was isolated to prevent further release. Vacuum trucks were used to remove oil, and soil remediation is complete.
499.8 gallons
No LDEQ Reported

2012-10-01
Hydraulic hose on crane
Cause: While moving a welding machine with a crane on the Volks barge, the hydraulic hose on the crane developed a leak.

Followup:

Notes: ExxonMobil claims that Volks is the responsible party. The crane was owned and operated by Volks
139413

2012-05-04
Tank 778
Cause: On May 4, 2012, at approximately 1:00 pm, there was an oil spill to soil at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery. Operations personnel in the area detected a hydrocarbon odor resulting from a leaking mixer seal on tank 778.

Followup: Yes

Notes: The spill was discovered on May 4, 2012 at 2:50 pm, and the line was isolated by 3:00 pm. Spill containment measures were implemented immediately to minimize the environmental impact. The tank mixer seal was locked in order to isolate the leak, and soil remediation was completed on May 7, 2012. The mixer seal will remain locked until permanent repairs can be completed during the next planned internal section and cleaning interval for Tank 778. Routine rounds to monitor the tank mixer will be completed. A 60-day follow up letter was sent about 11 months after the incident.
63.0 gallons
137020

2012-02-05
Underground coker feed line
Cause: Oil was discovered seeping up from the ground due to a leak in an underground coker feed line.

Followup: Yes

Notes: The line segment that developed the leak was removed from service and demolished. Excavation and soil remediation have been completed. Permanent isolation/repair of affected piping was completed by removing from service the line segment that developed the leak. The oil is a coker feed stream which has a high viscosity and does not migrate. The hydrocarbon material has been removed and all contaminated soil is disposed. SPOC and verbal report state that 15 gallons of Resid was released, but not mentioned in written report.
84.0 gallons
No LDEQ Reported

2013-12-23
#3 Berth
Cause: On December 23, 2013, at approximately 11:55, a dock worker reported oil in the water under the #3 berth. Approximately 3 gallons of heavy fuel oil was released to the water, all material was recovered.

Followup: No

Notes: No incident report # due to "Below RQ" status NRC #1069314 All dock operations were suspended and a clamp was installed on the line to stop the leak. Work is ongoing to complete a permanent repair prior to returning the line to service. In response to the spill, booms were deployed at #2 and #3 berth to contain the oil. *****A reference to this incident was illustrated in LDEQ Incident Report #153896 where it is stated, "On December 23, 2013, at approximately 3:39 p.m., a dock worker reported oil in the water under the #2 berth. All dock operations were suspended and a clamp was installed on the line to stop the leak. Work is ongoing to complete a permanent repair prior to returning the line to service. In response to the spill, a tarp was deployed at #2 berth to contain the oil. Less than 1 cup of AC 100 Lube Oil was released to the water."
3.0 gallons
152167

2013-11-05
No Information Given
Cause: Approximately 38 gallons of oil were released to soil due to a leak in the line in an elevated piped band near the Hydrocracker unit.

Followup: No

Notes: Due to prompt incident response to mitigate the event duration, no reportable quantities were exceeded. Workers stopped leak, immediate clean up of the spill followed, all contaminated soil was removed within three days.
38.0 gallons
149602

2013-07-11
Black Valve Flange
Cause: On July 11, 2013, the Baton Rouge Refinery experienced an oil spill to soil at the West Complex of approximately 2.7 barrels. During a raffinate transfer, a leak developed on a block valve flange due to unbalanced gasket stress. Upon discovery, the transfer was immediately stopped and the line was steamed out. This event resulted in an exceedance of the LDEQ reportable quantity for oil to soil.

Followup: No

Notes: Immediately upon discovery, mitigation measures were initiated, the spill source was isolated, and soil remediation began. Soil remediation was completed on July 13, 2013 at 4 pm. Gasket was replaced and thermal cycles will be reduced procedurally. The contaminated soil had been removed, and no groundwater impacts are expected.
113.4 gallons
147520

2013-03-22
Tank 711
Cause: On March 22, 2013, at approximately 18:50, there was an oil spill to soil at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery. During routine unit rounds, oil was discovered pooled at the base of tank 711, which contained lube basestock. After further investigation, it was discovered that the underground sump suction line on the northwest side of tank 711 developed a pinhole leak. The amount released was approximately 5 barrels, all of which was contained on site.

Followup: No

Notes: Tank 711 was immediately emptied to isolate the leak, and a clam was installed on the line to stop the release. A vacuum truck was used to remove oil and soil remediation had been initiated. The weather conditions at the time of the spill were as follows: 71 degrees Fahrenheit, 12 mph winds from the Southeast with no precipitation.
210.0 gallons
No LDEQ Reported

2013-01-09
Outfall 003
Cause: On January 9, 2013 at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery a heavy rainfall event occurred resulting in Rain Basin 2 to overflow through Outfall 003 into Callahan Bayou. Between January 8, 2013 and January 10, 2013, ExxonMobil received approximately 6.2 inches of rain. At approximately 12:35 p.m. an ExxonMobil employee at the Dock discovered an oil sheen coming from Callahan Bayou.

Followup:

Notes: The size and color of the sheen were used to estimate the total release of oil based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sheen estimating guidance. Approximately one cup of oil was released. Upon discovery, boom was deployed to isolate the source of oil. Vacuum trucks have been utilized to skim the Refinery's #2 Rain Basin of oil.
0.1 gallons
159786

2014-11-05
OSD area
Cause: On November 5, 2014 the Baton Rouge Refinery experienced an oil spill to soil in the OSD area of approximately 53 barrels. During rounds, Dock personnel discovered oil leaking from a flange on the #2 fuel line.

Followup: No

Notes: Upon discovery, the line was depressured and the flange gasket was replaced. Vacuum trucks were used to remove the oil. Soil remediation was completed on November 8 2014.
2,226.0 gallons
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:
39.0 gallons
159073

2014-09-27
Line in OSD area
Cause: On Sept. 27, 2014 the Baton Rouge Refinery experienced an oil spill to soil in the OSD area of approximately 15.5 barrels. During operator rounds, oil was discovered in an excavation near the Tar loading line. Immediately upon discovery, the line was isolated and water washed. A vacuum truck was used to remove the oil.

Followup: No

Notes: Upon discovery, mitigation measures were initiated. The spill source was isolated and soil remediation began. Soil remediation was completed on Sept 30, 2014 at 1PM. The line has been removed from service until a permanent repair can be made. Permanent repair options include replacing the line or installing a welded leak box.
651.0 gallons
156786

2014-06-14
Tank Suction Line
Cause: During routine rounds, a leak was discovered on a tank suction line due to external corrosion.

Followup: No

Notes: Upon discovery the spill source was isolated and the affected pipe was removed from service. A vacuum truck was used for soil remediation. The affected piping will be replaced.
67.2 gallons
No LDEQ Reported

2014-06-10
No Information Given
Cause: An oil sheen was discovered in Callahan Bayou at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery.

Followup: No

Notes: All material was contained with the last containment boom prior to entering the Mississippi River.
0.0 gallons
156260

2014-05-28
Refinery Outfall 003
Cause: 2 Incident numbers; the second is 14-02336 3 inches of rain caused an oil sheen to escape the Refinery's outfall and enter the Mississippi River via Callahan's Bayou. Sheen was 100ft by 20ft and light silver in color.

Followup: No

Notes: The incident will be reviewed through the refinery's storm water compliance system. Hard and absorbent boom were used to collect the oil. Amount of oil spilled was calculated using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sheen estimating guidance.
0.1 gallons
156261

2014-05-28
Stormwater Outfall 003
Cause: Exxon received over three inches of rain. This volume resulted in oil exiting the refinery's Stormwater Outfall 003, entering the Mississippi River through Callahan's Bayou and creating a sheen. Sheen was approximately 20 ft by 100 ft.

Followup: No

Notes: Sheen was cleaned up by hard absorbent boom. This incident will be reviewed through the Refinery's storm water compliance program STOP (Sewer Tracing and Oil Prevention) to evaluate responses to future rainstorms.
0.1 gallons
155201

2014-04-10
flange on pump suction line, South Field area
Cause: On April 10, 2014 the Baton Rouge Refinery experienced an oil spill to soil in the South Field area. After being notified of an odor, a unit operator discovered jet fuel leaking from a flange on a pump suction line.

Followup: No

Notes: Immediately upon discovery of leak the flange was tightened. A vacuum truck was used to remove oil and soil remediation was completed by April 11, 2014. The incident is under investigation to provide mitigating steps to prevent recurrence.
79.8 gallons
No LDEQ Reported

2014-04-07
Rain Basin #2
Cause: A severe thunderstorm on 4/7/2014 resulted in Rain Basin 2 overflowing through Outfall 003 into Callahan Bayou. An ExxonMobil operator discovered an oil sheen coming from Callahan Bayou. The size and color of the sheen were used to estimate the total release of oil based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sheen estimating guide.

Followup: No

Notes: Upon discovery, boom was deployed to contain the sheen. Vacuum trucks have been used to skim the refinery's #2 Rain Basin of oil.
0.1 gallons
154438

2014-03-11
Coker feed line
Cause: On March 11, 2014 at approximately 7:30 a.m., the OSD Feed Sectin experienced an oil spill to soil of approximately 14.0 barrels of coker feed. While the Feed Section operator was performing a routine round, oil was discovered leaking from under the insulation of a Coker Feed line used to transfer material between tanks. The leak occurred on an above ground portion of the line. Once the insulation was removed a ~3.5 inch crack was found in the weld.

Followup: No

Notes: Spill mitigation steps were put into place and cleanup began within the hour of discovering the leak. This line will remain out of service until permanent repairs are made. Permanent repairs include replacing affected pipe.
588.0 gallons