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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

Releases of Propylene

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date
Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
05-BB009-1805

2005-06-20
FLARE
Cause: flaring occurred when the wrong fan was shutdown on No35 cooling tower; the breakers were labeled 'A' and 'B' instead of 'East' and 'West' so one was mistakingly shut down

Followup: No

Notes: pressure was reduce in No12 depropanizer by temporarily returning the West Cell to service. The flare was relit, which reduced the emissions of propylene and propane to the atmospher
367.0 pounds
No LDEQ Reported

2005-04-30
FLARE- GLA-3x compressor
Cause: the MEA scrubber on No. 2 Light Ends Unit experienced an operational upset due to a high level in the MEA scrubber to overhead drum; GLA-3x compressor shut down causing the RGCU to become overloaded and a gas leakage which flared

Followup: No

Notes: operations attempted to restart GLA-3x and then reduced rates to the FCCU to eliminate flaring; a new alarm was added that is more visible and will alert the controller of increased level in the interstage drum; other items identified by the ongoing investigation will be evaluated and implemented; flaring occurred from 3:20 PM to 4:40 PM on April 30th; the Wet Gas Scrubber exceeded its regulatory limit of 500 PPM of carbon monoxide from 4-6PM; the carbon monoxide concentration increased to 639 PPM fhe hour from 1-2 on May 1st
195.0 pounds
05-BB009-1737

2005-03-09
FLARE (Nos. 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 19, 20 and 23)
Incinerators, Sites 68 and 69
Waste Water Treatment Unit
Cause: 30 minute power failure on Bulk Power Station #2. See Notes

Followup: No

Notes: Information for both LDEQ Incident Report numbers included on same report. Electrician doing work in the area injured. Investigation underway and findings will be implemented. May put automatic bypasses around filters in case they plug. Emissionswere minimized because some units shutdown; the vent gas from TGCU was sent through the incinerators emitting sulfur dioxide instead of the more harmful hydrogen sulfide. Power failure caused the following refinery units to shut down: No. 10 PipestilSLA-10), West Coker, 200 and 400 Trains on the Sulfer Plant, the Tail Gas Clean-up Unit, No. 2 Powerformer, Heavy Cat Napatha Units, No.1 and No.2 Sour Water Strippers, and some Depronanizers. The following Chemical Plant Units also shut down: Linea
111.0 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
11.0 pounds
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.
1.0 pounds
91339

2006-10-13
5 light ends unit T-2 Depropanizer
Cause: the 5 Light Ends Unit T-2 Depropanizer tower reboiler had a leaking channel box. This leak is thought to have been caused by the failure of the channel box seal.

Followup: No

Notes: This incident was not preventable because this reboiler channel box seal failure was unexpected. Remedial Measures - The seal will be replaced. The reportable quantity for butenes has been exceeded.
5.0 pounds
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.
4.0 pounds
90788

2006-09-21
E-515 B Exchanger on the 2 Light Ends Unit
Cause: the E-515 B Exchanger on the 2 Light Ends Unit was leaking to Cooling Tower #25. The leak is form corrosion on the tube bundle.

Followup: No

Notes: This incident was not preventable because inspection records for this exchanger indicate no history of leaks or premature failure. Records also show that this equipment was last inspected/tested 3 years ago and found to be in good condition. Remedial Measures - the exchanger bundle will be inspected and repaired or replaced, as appropriate. Reportable quantities for propylene and butene have been exceeded
113.0 pounds
90267

2006-08-26
FLARE - #17 and #19 Flares
Cause: the level indicator on the #4 Light Ends T-103 amine scrubber tower failed to function properly. Excess gas was flared in the #17 and #19 flares.

Followup: No

Notes: This incident was not preventable because failure of the level instrumentation was unexpected. Remedial Measures - an investigation is ongoing and the appropriate follow-up action will be completed. As a result of the faulty level indication, hydrocarbons were carried under to the amine regeneration unit and subsequently the refinery gas collection unit. The gas collection unit was unable to handle the increased load and therefore the excess gas was flared in the #17 and #19 flares.&##34;Reportable quantities for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, butenes, and propylene were exceeded
220.0 pounds
89850

2006-08-04
E-513 A exchanger on the 2 Light Ends Unit
Cause: E-513 A exchanger on the 2 Light Ends unit was leaking hydrocarbon to Cooling Tower #25. The leak is believed to have come from corrosion on the hydrocarbon side of the tube bundle.

Followup: No

Notes: This incident was not preventable because previous inspection reports indicate that this exchanger bundle is less than 6 years old and in serviceable condition. Remedial Measures - this bundle will either be replaced with a new bundle or repaired. A metallurgy upgrade to 410 stainless steel is being evaluated. Replacement and/or upgrade of exchanger bundles in similar is also being considered. LDEQ reportable quantities for butenes, propylene, highly reactive volatile organic compounds, and 1,3adiene were exceeded
87695

2006-05-05
exchanger
Cause: ExxonMobil has a flange leak on an exchanger.

Followup: No

Notes: Only data available to LABB on incident is SPOC report, no other reports found on EDMS.
217.0 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.
2.0 pounds
86548

2006-03-16
FLARE - Alkylation Feed Preparation Unit
Cause: The Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether Unit was converted to an Alkylation Feed Preparation Unit (AFP). The AFP was beginning its initial start up. As the level in one of the towers increased, steam was added to the reboiler to begin producing overhead product. During this time, the safety valves on the tower began relieving to the flare system, which resulted in the reported flare. During the conversion of the unit the overhead pressure meter was reranged in the field, but was no reranged in the control room. Due to this oversight the operator believed he was at a significantly lower pressure and did not immediately discover that the safety valves on the tower had lifted to the flare system. The calculations automtically completed by the flare system

Followup: No

Notes: The cause of the accident is listed as preventable in the company's report, but there is no explanation whatsoever as to why it was preventable - that section is blank. The only remedial measure listed is that the pressure meter range was corrected in the control room. The letter to LDEQ states that reportable quantities of nitrogen oxide and butenes were exceeded.
81.0 pounds
86248

2006-03-06
E-515A exchanger on the No. 2 Light Ends Unit
Cause: The E-515A exchanger on the No.2 Light Ends Unit leaked hydrocarbon to a cooling tower. From the cooling tower the hydrocarbon was released to the atmosphere.

Followup: No

Notes: Remedial measures - The leaking tube on the exchanger will be plugged. In their letter to LDEQ, ExxonMobil states that LDEQ reportable quantities for propylene and butene were exceeded
193.0 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
26.0 pounds
85263

2006-01-19
No. 2 Powerformer Unit T-4X
Cause: a leak on the shell of their tower (T-4X) is believed to have been caused from the failure of the mortar in the joints of the tile which lines the inside of the tower, which allowed acid to attack the carbon steel shel

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 quantities for highly reactive volatile organic compounds and flammable vapors were exceeded when the emissions from these three events were summed over the first 24 hour period beginning with the initiation of the release from the No. 2 Powerformer Unit. With regard to the 24 hour period beginning with the release at the MTBE Unit, there wereeportable quantity exceedances for this period of time. The emissions limit exceeded the reportable quantity threshold only during the time when all three incidents were taking place simultaneously. The mortar in T-4X will be replaced with a Furan r
4.0 pounds
101612

2007-12-11
FLARE-Flare #17
Cause: water wash drum reading false high

Followup: No

Notes: level control valve was closed and instrument was cleaned and checked to determine working properly. Process checks conducted periodically to ensure working properly
16.0 pounds
100459

2007-10-23
Exchanger leak-E514A leak
Cause: corrosion of tube bundle

Followup: No

Notes: Exhanger was blocked and removed from service.
876.0 pounds
95549

2007-04-22
Flare/Safety valve release
Cause: leaking seal/safety valve release

Followup: Yes

Notes: Several actions were taken to avoid or reduce the environmental impacts from this incident. The different gas streams were redirected in a manner appropriate to minimize emissions.
4,814.0 pounds
94172

2007-02-23
Exchanger leak
Cause: underdeposit corrosion

Followup: No

Notes: Leaking exchangers were removed from service. The metallurgy of the exchangers is being evaluated for upgrading.
255.0 pounds
93020

2007-01-03
FLARE-Flare #5,7,17,19
Cause: OTHER-Electrical failure of Coker units

Followup: No

Notes: Personnel initiated startup of idle compressor recovering most of coker gas. Alternate electrical coordination settings and power supply designs are being evaluated for this system.
27.0 pounds
108485

2008-09-01
FLARE- All 8 flares
FLARE-All 8 flares
Cause: STORMS-Hurricane Gustav

Followup: No

Notes: Refinery was safely and sytematically shutdown due to the hurricane. Learning from this even will be incorporated into future hurricane preparations.
174.0 pounds
107412

2008-07-19
pinhole leak on line
Cause: Pinhole leak was discovered in a line.

Followup: No

Notes: At the time, they were trying to divert the flow from where the leak was.
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.
100.0 pounds
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.
1.0 pounds
102960/102918

2008-02-08
FLARE-Flare 5,17,19
Cause: Process Upset-recycle gas compressor shut down due to process upset./Other-high pressure in the refinery gas collection system due too a high volume of vent gas from other refinery units.

Followup: No

Notes: Process upset conditions at the catalytic cracking unit were resolved and recycle gas compressor was restarted to stop flaring. When the high pressure burner line overpressured, efforts were made to reduce the amount of gas sent to HPBL and increase gas amount taken by Enterg
15.0 pounds
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
2.0 pounds
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
2.0 pounds
102274

2008-01-15
no information given/leak
no informaiton given/leak
Cause: no information given

Followup: No

Notes: Written notification from Exxon Mobile surrounding the leak that occurred at the facility stating that no reportable quantities had been exceeded.
101.0 pounds
119856

2009-12-04
T2-61A
Cause: Pump seal leak on T2-61A.

Followup: No

Notes: LDEQ report states "propylene, ethylene, H2S and benzene expected to exceed reportable quantities. ExxonMobil in its report states that reportable quantities were not exceeded. Isolated the leak.
116294

2009-07-07
flare system
Cause: Safety valve lifted in the plant which caused 6 different flares to ignite.

Followup: No

Notes: This release estimate exceeds RQs. The incident was secured. LABB only has access to the SPOC verbal report, and all of these quantities are the initial estimates.
100.0 pounds
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.
114103

2009-04-11
GLA-3X compressor flare
Cause: Level instrument of GLA-3X compressor was plugged which caused the reading to be erroneously high. Compressor tripped which caused pressure to build up and a flare to be emitted.

Followup: No

Notes: Release exceeded RQ. Unit rates decreased to stop flaring. Cause of compressor trip is under investigation. High level alarm is bypassed to prevent recurrence.
135.0 pounds
114765

2009-04-11
No Information Given
Cause: Leak occurred, but no information provided regarding the cause.

Followup: No

Notes: Release is BRQ. LABB does not have access to the LDEQ incident report. The SPOC report indicates the release occurred on 05/07/09, but the refinery letter states the incident occurred on 04/11/09.
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.
165.0 pounds
112756

2009-02-14
pipe to depropanizer tower on V-line
Cause: According to the SPOC verbal report, a piping leak on the depropanizer tower on V-line caused a release.

Followup: No

Notes: Blocked line out to secure. Release is BRQ.
120883

2010-01-20
#12 de-propanizer
Cause: Leak on a 3/4" pipeline at the #12 depropanizer. Instrument from feed drum leaking at elbow of line.

Followup: No

Notes: Release is BRQ. Line isolated and secured. LABB only has access to the LDEQ incident report.
135756

2011-12-06
Flare: #19 due to safety valve release on storage tank D-50
Cause: Flare #19 flared as a result of a safety valve lifting on the propane storage tank D-50.

Followup: No

Notes: No information given.
134164

2011-09-23
#9 depropanizer overhead line
Cause: A pinhole leak at #3 Light Ends Unit in the #9 Depropanizer Overhead line released propylene and flammable vapors.

Followup: No

Notes: Upon discovery, personnel began working to isolate and depressurize the line to a recovery system. The RQ for propylene was exceeded.
423.0 pounds
132065

2011-06-23
pin hole leak in valve going to P-646 meter
Cause: Pin hole leak found on a coupling between 3/4 inch block valves going to P-646 meter.

Followup: No

Notes: The leak was blocked out and depressurized. The release was similar in size to a valve packing leak detected through the refinery's Leak Detection and Repair Program. After calculations, total emissions were calculated to be less than the 100 pound reportable quantity set for propylene.
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.
122.0 pounds
128902

2011-01-28
FLARE: #4 Unit
Cause: As the #4 unit was starting up, it had a unit swing. To relieve the pressure, flaring took place. During the same 24 hours, the Powdered Catalyst Unit (PCLA) also underwent startup operations. Difficulties with compressor GLA-2X during startup resulted in additional flaring. As a result of this flaring, 1616 pounds of sulfur dioxide was released. Combined, these two sources release 1,716 pounds of sulfur dioxide. However, in a follow-up letter dated March 21, 2011, ExxonMobil stated that 2,063 lbs of sulfur dioxide were released.

Followup: Yes

Notes: This release is RQ. To end the Light Ends Flaring, pressures on the 4 West Rerun and 4 West Splitter towers were reduced. To end the PCLA flaring, compressor GLA-2X was started. To prevent recurrence, procedures will be reviewed for the Light Ends area startups following unplanned downtimes. Additionally, startup procedures for the GLA-2X compressor will be reviewed.
5.0 pounds
145306

2012-12-13
NIG
Cause: A small pump leaked and released propylene into the air.

Followup: No

Notes: No reportable quantities were exceeded: approximately 1 pound of propylene was released. Exxon isolated the equipment to shut it down.
1.0 pounds
141659

2012-07-30
Clamp of the discharge piping from MKC-02 propylene refrigeration compressor at the EPLA-W unit
Cause: Due to vibration of the piping, there was a leak on the clamp of the discharge piping from MKC-02 propylene refrigeration compressor at the EPLA-W unit. As of 08/06/12, the event is ONGOING, and releasing approximately 6.24 pounds per day of propylene.

Followup: No

Notes: Upon discovery, the clamp was pumped with sealant to reduce the leak rate. The clamp continues to be pumped with sealant to reduce the leak rate. ExxonMobil and the clamp vendor are continuing efforts to improve clamp efficiency. Periodic leak monitoring will be conducted during normal operational rounds. A 60-day follow-up letter will be submitted, summarizing the permanent repairs.
2,073.4 pounds
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.
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.
156.1 pounds
153521

2014-01-27

Cause: On January 27, 2014 at approximately 4:08 PM, the compressor GLA-3X at the PCLA (a fluid catalytic cracking unit) unit experienced an unplanned shutdown, causing material to be released to the site's flare gas system. Preliminary investigation results indicate the shutdown was caused by a higher than normal concentration of condensable distillate in a level instrument chamber as a result of inadequate steam tracing. The excess liquid bridged between the chamber wall and the radar rod, resulting in a false high level reading which tripped the compressor. The incident is under investigation to determine the exact root cause.

Followup: No

Notes: Upon compressor shutdown, the level instrument was bypassed to mitigate a repeat event. The incident is under investigation to determine the exact root cause and to provide mitigating steps to prevent recurrence.
137.0 pounds