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CITGO Petroleum (1250), Lake Charles

Releases in 2011

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date
Point Source/Release CauseNotes
135725

2011-12-05
Point Source(s):
Unicracker Unit

Pollutant(s):
Flammable Gas - 1,600 pounds
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

A seal flush 3/8" tubing off a pump at the Unicracker unit failed causing a leak.
The equipment was immediately shut down and the leaking tubing was replaced. No LDEQ report in the file.
135517

2011-11-23
Point Source(s):
Acid Plant Unit

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 1,948 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

A leak was located in the acid plant unit.
The unit was shut down immediately upon discovery of the leak and the leaking section of the line was repaired.
135315

2011-11-16
Point Source(s):
valves on marpol line of MV Chembulk New Orleans

Pollutant(s):
Xylene - 1,000 pounds
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

On November 16, 2011 at 16:30, Terminal personnel witnessed bubbles coming to the surface of the water in the vicinity of a vessel in port. Discharge appeared to be coming from under the bottom of the vessel under a slop tank storage compartment. It was creating a light sheen and a strong odor in the area of the discharge along a dock area. The slop tank was pumped into another compartment that appeared to slow the leak. Vessel personnel stated that the vessel was doubled hulled and the xylene was not coming from the vessel. Kevin Natali was notified by Diana LeBlanc with Citgo on 11/17/11 that 4 valves on the Marpol line (which discharges overboard) on board the vessel was found to be leaking.
Hard booms were deployed around the vessel by CITGO and ES&H. The slop tank was pumped into another compartment that appeared to slow the leak. After discovering the leaking valves, the leak was secured approximately at 4 AM on November 17, 2011. The vessel was inspected by the US Coast Guard before it was released. VOC amount released manually tested with results reading 4.0 PPM. Rough calculation was done by Citgo engineering and determined the release was over 1000 lbs. CITGO LCMC will provide an update to this Courtesy Notification Letter with information from the United States Coast Guard MSU Lake Charles in regards to the citation issued to the MV Chembulk New Orleans as the information becomes available. This incident is linked with incident #135306.
135306

2011-11-16
Point Source(s):
Vessel, Valve on Marpol Line

Pollutant(s):
Xylene - 1,000 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 0
Hydrogen Sulfide - 0
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

LDEQ responded to the incident at Citgo Petroleum D Dock, where the marine vessel Chembulk New Orleans appeared to have started leaking xylene after loading approximately 22,000 bbls onto the vessel. The discharge appeared to be coming from under the bottom of the vessel under a slop tank storage compartment. It was creating a light sheen and a strong odor in the area of the discharge along the dock area, so hard booms were deployed around the vessel by Citgo and ES&H. Slop tank was pumped into another compartment that appeared to slow the leak. Vessel personnel stated that the vessel was double hulled and the xylene was not coming from the vessel. Citgo personnel considered sending a diver on 11/17/11 to assess the discharge area under the vessel. Kevin Natali was notified by Citgo on 11/17/11 that 4 valves on the Marpol line (which discharges overboard) on board the vessel was found to be leaking. The leaks was secured at approximately 4 am on 11/17/11 and it was determined that a diver was not needed.
Vessel was inspected by the US Coast Guard before it was released. Incident linked to #135315. Multi Gas Monitor Report included with readings from across the river during the accident. VOC levels fluctuated between 1 and 9 ppm. Readings also show low levels of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Citgo initially claimed the leak was not coming from the vessel. Later, leak found on board the vessel. VOC had a conversion factor of 0.4, this may mean that values were reduced to 400lbs but the closed report states 1000 lbs.
135140

2011-11-06
Point Source(s):
Sodium Hypochlorite tank for Tower four at A-Reformer

Pollutant(s):
Sodium Hypochlorite - 4,448 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

A 3/4 inch nipple broke off a tank and the secondary containment wall was cracked allowing material from a sodium hypochlorite tank for cooling Tower Four at A-Reformer to escape to the ground.
No Information Given regarding above/below reportable quantity. A temporary containment was installed until the secondary concrete containment is repaired. Contaminated soils were excavated and manifested offsite for disposal.
134192

2011-09-27
Point Source(s):
Tank 37

Pollutant(s):
Slop Oil - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

A top suction valve at pumping tank 37 was cracked open allowing slop oil to move to the ground.
BRQ. Vacuum trucks were on the scene following the initial release.
133463

2011-08-24
Point Source(s):
Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCU) stacks; Wet Gas Scrubber

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Cyanide - 846,479 pounds
Chlorine Gas - 34,111 pounds
Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

Hydrogen Cyanide and Chlorine were identified in the Fluidized Catalytic Cracking units vent stacks during stack testing mandated by the EPA's information collection request. This has been a continuous and on-going release
CITGO's review of the stack testing and operating data indicates that an air release of hydrogen cyanide and chlorine exceeded a reportable quantity although no quantities were indicated in the report. CITGO was required by EPA to conduct stack testing on 1 of its 3 Fluidized Catalytic Cracking units and report such stack test results before August 31, 2011 to the EPA. The ICR required that CITGO test for hydrogen cyanide and chlorine from this unit. 30 day letter submitted on September 21, 2011 and 1 year follow-up submitted August 24, 2012. CITGO has been releasing between 1,155 lbs to 5,535 lbs of hydrogen cyanide a day for a total of 846,479 lbs per year. They have also been releasing 88 lbs to 116 lbs per day of chlorine for a total of 34,111 lbs per day.
132764

2011-08-01
Point Source(s):
Fired heaters and boilers
Sulfen Vent Stack EQT297, Tail Gas II Vent Stack EQT298, B-7 Flare
B-7 Flare EQT347
Sulften Vent Stack, Tail Gas II Vent Stack

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 2,354 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 0 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 0 pounds
Carbonyl Sulfide - 0 pounds
Carbon Disulfide - 0 pounds
Cause of Problem: Human Factors

The operator failed to manually reset the solenoid valve that controlled the level in the F-104 drum prior to restarting the JC-102 compressor. Based on the definition of control equipment inLAC 33:III.1 1 1, Citgo failed, in this incident, to diligently maintain control equipment in proper working order whenever emissions were being made. That initial failure to reset the solenoid valve cause a string of upsets, which began with the central amine upset.
Immediate corrective actions taken were removing excess hydrocarbon from the central amine unit, amine feed to the SRUs was reduced, and efforts were made to identify the hydrocarbon source. Citgo conducted an incident investigation, which outlines several actions to be taken. Additional letters from refinery regarding this incident: 8/18/11, 10/27/11
132825

2011-07-30
Point Source(s):
Tank 36 (EQT0088) and Tank 37 (EQT0089)

Pollutant(s):
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 2,576 pounds
Slop Oil - 2,016 gallons
Cause of Problem: Human Factors

The operator failed to manually close the naphtha valve after the switch to C-4 was made, ultimately causing a roof drain leak on Tank 37, a slop oil tank containing hydrogen sulfide. Thus, Citgo failed to diligently maintain control equipment in proper working order whenever emissions were being made.
Immediate corrective actions taken were changing routings of materials into tank 37 and making efforts to identify the source of the light materials that were believed to cause the hydrocarbon release. Vacuum trucks were cleaning up the spill at the time of the police report.
132807

2011-07-30
Point Source(s):
FLARE-Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel hydrotreater, B-16 flare

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Hydrotreater (USLD) unit upset led to unplanned shutdown and flaring.
BRQ. No information given regarding remedial actions. No LDEQ report included. Notified the SPOC 24:36 after incident occured.
132191

2011-07-01
Point Source(s):
vacuum truck

Pollutant(s):
Oil and Water - 1,008 gallons
Cause of Problem: Human Factors

According to the LDEQ report, the oil/water mix was spilled from a vacuum truck due to operator error.
RQ: The spill was contained and cleaned up, and operators are being retrained on proper procedures to prevent recurrence. LDEQ and SPOC reports only. No Refinery Letter.
131653

2011-06-05
Point Source(s):
Unicracker unit

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Power Failure

LDEQ report states that power was lost to the Unicracker unit resulting in a flare.
BRQ: Quantities of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide were below reportable quantities. No further information on remedial actions was given.
130780

2011-04-26
Point Source(s):
Acid Plant
SRF Unit (B-5)
Feed Prep (B-101)
HP Boilers (8-1C, 8-1, 8-1A, B-2a, B-3c, 8-5A)
CVEP unit (8101A, 81018, 8102A, 81028)
Vacuum (8-2A, 8-201)
Unicracker unit (B-1,2,3,4,5)
A Reformer (B-101)
A Reformer (B 102-106)
B Reformer (B 401-406)
ALCOH unit (B 101-103)
BOH unit ( B 601,602)
Sulfolane unit (B-201, 202)
ISOM unit (B-801)
Coker 2 unit (B-201, 202)
A Cat unit (B-2, 6)
B Cat unit (B-2, 6)
C Cat unit (B-2, 6)
Ultra Low unit (B-101, 102)
A-CGH unit (B 101-103)
B-CGH (B 201- 203)
BLCOH unit (B-101, 3)
A Topper unit (B-4)
B Topper unit (B-104)
C Topper unit (B-1C, 2C)
Coker 1 unit

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 159 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 768 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 3,169 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 63,701 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 7,921 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 5,055 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 303 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 474 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 4,999 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 18,174 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 4,037 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 2,176 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 5,445 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 294 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 571 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 307 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 824 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 441 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 2,191 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 1,862 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 2,073 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 689 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 9,080 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 11,091 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 3,922 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 6,762 pounds
Cause of Problem: Weather

Due to a thunderstorm, a loss of electrical power from the Pecan Grove substation caused the shutdown of the Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU), Central Amine, Acid Plant, Sour Water Stripper, Unicracker, Wastewater Treating and Coker II units. An incident investigation was initiated, scheduled to be completed June 10, 2011.
According to the second follow-up Refinery Letter, CITGO: 1) Contacted Entergy for power restoration 2) reduced refinery/unit charge rates Area was monitored and all parameters measured zero. Investigation to be completed by 6/10/2011. Report of regarding this investigation is not available.
No LDEQ Number Available

2011-03-22
Point Source(s):
Leaking flange; LCMC D-Dock

Pollutant(s):
Lubricating Oil - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Leaking flange released a mixture of water and petroleum product in a misting spray during pipeline activation. Mist reached the water near D-Dock. OFFSITE IMPACT: Calcasieu River sheen.
BRQ. The flange was inspected and repaired. The facility incident report is the only document available.
129988

2011-03-17
Point Source(s):
Sour Gas Line

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Unknown Substance - BRQ
Nitrous Oxide - BRQ
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

State police report states that there was a leak in a three inch line under a relief valve at the vacuum unit. Product of the release was sour gas and went off-site.
BRQ. Line was blocked and repaired. Air monitoring was performed in the plant area, and no readings were indicated.
129836

2011-03-13
Point Source(s):
FLARE: JC101 Compressor to B7 Flare

Pollutant(s):
Flammable Gas - BRQ
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

FLARE. State police report states that C-4 recovery unit JC101 compressor tripped and vented to the B7 Flare. Chemicals burned out in the flare.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that a "review of operating data showed that no reportable quantities were exceeded." Refinery letter and SPOC report only. No LDEQ report.
No LDEQ Number Available

2011-03-09
Point Source(s):
Barge at CITGO LCMC A-Dock

Pollutant(s):
See Notes - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

Sulfer was spilled from a contractor's barge during transfer operations at the CITGO LCMC A-Dock.
BRQ. No Information given regarding remedial actions. Refinery letter only. No LDEQ report included in file.
129671

2011-03-06
Point Source(s):
FLARE: B11 and B12 Flare

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Nitrogen Oxide - BRQ
Flammable Gas - BRQ
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

FLARE. State police reports states that fill pressure of the flared gas recovery system was exceeded and resulted in flaring from the B11 and B12 flares. No root cause is known. Material went off-site through the flare and then air.
BRQ. No Information Given. Refinery letter and SPOC report only. No LDEQ report.
129237

2011-02-13
Point Source(s):
Coke Truck

Pollutant(s):
Coke - 0
Cause of Problem: Other - See text

LDEQ states that a truck hauling petroleum coke was overturned on Bayou D'Inde Rd. Coke went offsite and spilled onto the highway near refinery.
LDEQ report states that "coke is non-hazardous but is still considered a pollutant." Refinery letter states that letter is a courtesy notification. One lane of the roadway was closed. SPOC was contacted, and the coke was picked up by an environmental company.
129054

2011-02-07
Point Source(s):
FLARE: B-12 Flare

Pollutant(s):
Natural Gas - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Refinery letter states that the B-12 Flare pilot flame went out. Gas was routed to a flare gas recovery system, so no gas was combusted during the incident.
BRQ. Gas was routed to a flare gas recovery system. Pilot flame was re-lit. Refinery letter and SPOC report only. No LDEQ report.
129077

2011-02-06
Point Source(s):
C-Cat PC152 Instrument

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

State police report states that the C-Cat PC152 instrument failure caused over-pressurization of the E1 Fractionator.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that "review of operating data showed that no RQ were exceeded." Pressure was relieved by releasing the hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide to the B-7 Flare. Refinery letter and SPOC report only. No LDEQ report.
129028

2011-02-04
Point Source(s):
FLARE: B-12 Flare

Pollutant(s):
Hydrocarbon - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

FLARE. Refinery letter states that pilot flames were lost from the B-12 flare.
BRQ. Pilot light was reignited. No material went offsite.
129038

2011-02-04
Point Source(s):
FLARE: B-4 Flare

Pollutant(s):
Propane - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

State police report states that the pilot flame of the of the B-4 Flare went out. Propane was emitted.
BRQ. The pilot flame was re-lit. Refinery letter and SPOC report only. No LDEQ report.
128986

2011-02-02
Point Source(s):
FLARE: F-27 Knockout Drum Pressure Safety Valve

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

FLARE. State police report states that hydrogen sulfide was released from an F-27 knockout drum pressure safety valve.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that "a review of operating data during the event show that no RQ were exceeded." No Information Given regarding remedial actions. Refinery letter and SPOC report only. No LDEQ report.
128815

2011-01-22
Point Source(s):
FLARE: C-4 Recovery JC101A Compressor to B7 Flare

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - 5 pounds
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

LDEQ states that the facility experienced a process problem due to a tower over-pressurizing.
BRQ. LDEQ report states that "operating data shows" that no reportable quantities were exceeded. Workers had to manually open the relief to the flare, and the C-4 Recovery JC101A compressor was shut down for a short period of time.
128759

2011-01-21
Point Source(s):
FLARE: Unit E-2 Depropanizer & B6 Flare

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Flaring occurred due to a pressure safety valve release from the Straight Run Fractionation Unit E2 depropanizer tower. Hydrogen sulfide was released at levels below the RQ's.
BRQ. Flare lasted for four minutes before returning to normal.