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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge
Releases in 2012
| LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date |
Point Source/Release | Cause | Notes |
| 145500 2012-12-21 | Point Source(s): NIG Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 3,694 pounds | Cause of Problem: Human Factors On December 21, 2012 at 11:38 am, the Coker C-551 compressor tripped due to a low oil pressure indication. While filling the exchanger with lube oil, the pressure dipped and caused the C-551 compressor to trip. The resulting compressor trip routed gas to the Refinery flare system where it was combusted. The compressor was restarted and flaring ceased at 12:31 PM. After further investigation, it was determined that a procedure existed, but was not followed by unit personnel while completed by this task. | The resulting compressor trip routed gas to the Refinery flare system where it combusted. The compressor was restarted and flaring ceased at 12:31PM. LDEQ conducted fence line monitoring with the result of no detection. ExxonMobil also conducted monitoring with the result of no detection. The reportable quantity of SO2 was exceeded as a result. Oil pressure was restored to operating range and the compressor was restarted. Refresher training has been conducted with unit personnel on the procedures for placing the lube oil exchanger back in service. |
| 145413 2012-12-17 | Point Source(s): piping going to the PCLA unit F-301 furnace Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing There is a gasket leak on a furnace. After further investigation, a crack was discovered in the piping going to the PCLA unit F-301 furnace is releasing 142 pounds per day of sulfur dioxide. After further evaluation, the facility determined that no RQs were exceeded (that determination was impossible at the time of this report because the relase was still ongoing). According to the facility's verbal notification the materials released to the air did go offsite. | 142 pounds per day of SO2 is being released as a result of this event (at the time of this report there were 2 days of release). The total amount released from this event will be reported in the 60 day follow up notification. |
| 145306 2012-12-13 | Point Source(s): NIG Pollutant(s):Propylene - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket A small pump leaked and released propylene into the air. | No reportable quantities were exceeded: approximately 1 pound of propylene was released. Exxon isolated the equipment to shut it down. |
| 145216 2012-12-07 | Point Source(s): Flare Gas Recovery System Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Flammable Vapor - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket A safety valve at the LELA-S unit lifted, but was later determined that all emissions were captured by the refinery flare gas recovery system. ExxonMobil states that were no emissions to the environment as a result of this event. | ExxonMobil's notification states that there were no emissions to the environment as a result of this event. Correspondence reports from LDEQ and ExxonMobil display that hydrogen sulfide and flammable vapor were released from a unit, but later ExxonMobil stated that all gases were contained by the flare gas recovery system and that nothing was released into the environment. |
| 144281 2012-10-29 | Point Source(s): MOV XD 21 valve Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 157 pounds Hydrogen Sulfide - 2 pounds | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket The Coker D-1D drum overhead valve, MOV XD 21, leaked. | |
| 135182 2012-10-24 | Point Source(s): valve at the HCLA unity C-102B compressor HCLA unity C-102B compressor Pollutant(s):Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 52 pounds Flammable Vapor - 221 pounds Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket HCLA unit C-102B compressor developed a leak near the threads of the valve. Approximately 52 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 221 pounds of flammable vapor, and less than 1 pound of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were released. | After further evaluation, ExxonMobil determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded. |
| No LDEQ Number Available 2012-10-07 | Point Source(s): #3 starboard compartment Pollutant(s):Heavy Aromatic Fuel Oil (HAFO) - 1 gallons | Cause of Problem: Human Factors Tankerman overfilled the #3 starboard compartment on the barge. Approximately 1 gallon of heavy aromatic fuel oil (HAFO) was released to the Mississippi River. | No Information Given |
| No LDEQ Number Available 2012-10-01 | Point Source(s): Hydraulic hose on crane Pollutant(s):Oil - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure While moving a welding machine with a crane on the Volks barge, the hydraulic hose on the crane developed a leak. | ExxonMobil claims that Volks is the responsible party. The crane was owned and operated by Volks |
| 143315 2012-09-21 | Point Source(s): No information given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 67 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given From the verbal report, states that there was a crack in the primary burner at the sulfur plant. | SPOC report states that H2S was being released, but details not clear if it exceeded the 100 lbs RQ, 500 lbs of SO2 was released, and that the material did go offsite. The highest air monitoring readings inside the facility were 11-20 ppm. |
| 143115 2012-09-19 | Point Source(s): NIG Pollutant(s):Unknown Substance - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given A release occured at ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery. | Due to prompt incident response to mitigate the event duration no reportable quantities were exceeded. The refinery letter fails to mention what pollutant was released. |
| 143294 2012-09-17 | Point Source(s): control valve R002 Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - 60 pounds Flammable Vapor - 803 pounds | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket A flame was discovered at the top of HCLA D-115 condensable blowdown drum stack. 803 pounds of flammable vapor and 60 pounds of Hydrogen Sulfide were released. | Steam was injected into the stack to extinguish the flame. Control valve R002 was discovered leaking. No reportable quantities were exceeded. |
| 143246 2012-09-05 | Point Source(s): Loading arm drain valve Pollutant(s):Crude Oil - 1,800 gallons | Cause of Problem: Human Factors On September 5, 2012 at approximately 3:10 AM, there was an oil spill to the Mississippi River from the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery Dock. The discharge controller noticed oil on the deck of the dock while discharging cargo. Discharge operations were immediately discontinued to prevent further release of crude oil. The controller failed to follow procedures to properly align the transfer system by leaving a loading arm drain valve open to the sump during discharge operations. The sump system became overwhelmed, causing crude oil to back out through the drains onto the deck. The amount released was less than 5 barrels of oil, and the reportable quantity is 1 barrel. After additional analysis and review with the US Coast Guard, a theoretical maximum potential oil spill volume of approximately 1800 gallons/43 barrels was calculated using theoretical oil spill recovery calculations. | Discharge operations were immediately discontinued to prevent any further release. The ExxonMobil Emergency Response Team was activated immediately to minimize environmental impact. Deployment of 35,000 feet of boom, 16,000 pads, and 9 boats with drum skimmers. Approximately 2,000 gallons of oil water was collected from skimming operations. Refresher training was conducted with Dock personnel on operating procedures to prevent recurrence. Further, additional level instrumentation is being evaluated to provide potential early incident detection. Spilled quantity was based on the sheen size calculation of 2.4 bbl, and the amount of oily water collected from skimming operations. Also states later that 5 bbls released into the Mississippi River and 5 bbls released onto the loading docks, and 50 bbls were contained onsite in the refinery's stormwater retention basin. All contaminated soil has been remediated. |
| 143543 2012-08-29 | Point Source(s): 2795-V6, Refinery Tank Farm Pollutant(s):2,2,4-Trimethylpentane - 0 pounds Benzene - BRQ Biphenyl - BRQ Cresol - BRQ Cumene - BRQ Ethylbenzene - 0 pounds Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Naphthalene - BRQ n-Hexane - 0 pounds Phenol - BRQ Styrene - BRQ Toluene - 0 pounds Xylene - 0 pounds | Cause of Problem: Other - See text 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. | 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. |
| 142046 2012-08-11 | Point Source(s): Rain Basin 2 - Outfall 003 Pollutant(s):Oil (Sheen) - 0 gallons | Cause of Problem: Weather A heavy rainfall event occured resulting in Rain Basin 2 to overlflow through Outfall 003 into Callahan's Bayou and then into the Mississippi River. The sheen was approximately 50ft X 30ft, and the volume released was less than 2 cups of oil. ExxonMobil deployed additional containment boom immediately upon an employee's discovery of the sheen. Investigation efforts to determine root cause analysis are still under investigation. | Upon discovery boom was deployed to contain and absorb the sheen. Investigation efforts to identify root cause of oil are inconclusive. ExxonMobil will continue to monitor for potential oil in sewers and collection system to detect and mitigate potential spills. Upset description states that the River Basin 2 overflow through the Outfall 003 started on August 9, 2012 at 17:57 hours and continued until cessation on August 12, 2012 at 20:06 hours. Thus, the overflow occurred for 3 days, 2 hours, 9 minutes. |
| 141917 2012-08-08 | Point Source(s): R-801 reactor Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 981 pounds | Cause of Problem: Start Up, Shut Down Flange leak on the outlet of R-801 reactor due to thermal cycling during start-up operations of the HULA unit. | No Information Given |
| 141822 2012-08-03 | Point Source(s): Furnace F-334 Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 730 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 730 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure A packing leak was discovered on the bypass valve at the furnace (F-334)at the Powerformer unit. | No reportable quantities were exceeded due to prompt incident response. States that approximately 730 lbs of flammable vapor and VOCs were released in this incident, but does not say if that is the combined amount, or if applies to both pollutants. |
| 141608 2012-07-30 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 385 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given | Prompt incident response to mitigate the event duration. |
| 141659 2012-07-30 | Point Source(s): Clamp of the discharge piping from MKC-02 propylene refrigeration compressor at the EPLA-W unit Pollutant(s):Propylene - 2,073 pounds Flammable Vapor - 2,973 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing 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. | 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. |
| 140708 2012-06-25 | Point Source(s): analyzer supply line Pollutant(s):Benzene - BRQ Toluene - 8 pounds Xylene - 10 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 8 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given An analyzer supply line was discovered leaking. | 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. |
| 140658 2012-06-20 | Point Source(s): NIG Line 8141 Pollutant(s):Wash Water - 5 gallons Sodium Hydroxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing A leak was discovered on line 8141 that released 1 cup of caustic to the gravel. The pinhole leak sprayed a mist of sodium hydroxide on a number of pipes. During the clean-up process of this leak, approximately 5 gallons of water/caustic mixture was released onto the railroad. | In the police report, the refinery representative stated that they were going to clean up the spill themselves by using a vacuum truck to vacuum up the water. If it was found to be necessary, they would also scrap the soil at that location. |
| 140589 2012-06-16 | Point Source(s): Butane A-line Pollutant(s):Butane - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing There was a pinhole leak in the butane A-line. Two days later, when the leak had been secured, the line was pressured back up, and another leak was discovered. | On 6/14/12, the line was depressurized, and the leak was repaired. On 6/16/12, when the line was pressured back up, another pinhole leak was discovered. This leak was secured after 1h 20m. |
| 140512 2012-06-15 | Point Source(s): Alkylation Unit, safety valve release header outlet line Pollutant(s):Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 3 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing A pinhole leak was discovered on the safety valve release header outlet line on the Alkylation Unit. | Due to prompt incident response, ExxonMobil has determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded. |
| 140446 2012-06-13 | Point Source(s): Line 679 in the Gas Collection area Pollutant(s):Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 9,888 pounds Flammable Vapor - 9,888 pounds | Cause of Problem: Corrosion There was a leak in line 679 in the Gas Collection area, due to unanticipated corrosion of the piping. Identified the corrosion was not noted in previous inspection and a clamp was used until the pipe could be replaced. | The line was isolated to be de-pressured, and all hydrocarbon material was removed from the line. A clamp was installed on the line to prevent recurrence, and other areas of the piping have been inspected for potential corrosion. Other areas of the line have been inspected for potential corrosion. Piping areas identified to have reduced wall thickness will be replaced by the end of 2012. The RQ for Flammable vapor is 1,000 pounds, and the RQ for VOCs is 5,000 pounds. |
| 140306 2012-06-07 | Point Source(s): Tank #134 Pollutant(s):Diesel Fuel - 26 gallons | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Cycle oil was leaking from the bottom of Tank #134 and into the soil. | The oil was pumped into another tank. |
| 139744 2012-05-15 | Point Source(s): FLARE: Flare #17 Pollutant(s):Hydrocarbon - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Under Investigation The cause it unknown. Intermittent flaring on flare #17. Flaring for 10-20 minutes, stopped for 30 minutes, went on for 2 hours total. | The root cause of the flaring is under investigation. |
| 139672 2012-05-12 | Point Source(s): Flare #17 Pollutant(s):Hydrocarbon - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Under Investigation Flare #17 experienced a lazy flame for a short duration. A detailed investigation is being conducted to determine the root cause of the intermittent lazy flame on flare # 17. | No RQ values were exceeded for hydrocarbon gas as a result of this event. |
| 139413 2012-05-04 | Point Source(s): Tank 778 Pollutant(s):Oil - 63 gallons | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket 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. | 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. |
| 139107 2012-04-24 | Point Source(s): Leaking head on exchanger Pollutant(s):Crude Oil - 29 gallons | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure A head on the exchanger leaked, and material was released to concrete and to the sewage catch basin. | The catch basin was damned off, and they vacuumed up the chemicals. Immediate and initial reports to the LDEQ hotline indicate that this accident released more than 10 pounds of benzene, 100 pounds of naphthalene, 100 pounds of cresol, and 100 pounds of biphenyl. Many of these are RQ. However, in the written report sent by ExxonMobil on 4/30/12, ExxonMobil has determined that no RQs were exceeded, and that only 28.9 gallons of crude oil was spilled due to prompt incident response to mitigate the event duration. |
| 138624 2012-04-03 | Point Source(s): FLARE: Flare #5 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given The facility is unsure what caused the flare of SO2 at flare #5. | There is no information regarding remedial actions. Initially ExxonMobil Refinery reported approximately 500 lbs of sulfur dioxide being released in their verbal notification to the LDEQ, but in their 7 day letter they reported that less than one pound of sulfur dioxide was released. ExxonMobil Refinery did not monitor the air during this event. |
| 138623 2012-04-03 | Point Source(s): Coker unit #D-501-A Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 42 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Flammable vapor was released after a small fire took place on coker unit #D-501-A. After the fire was extinguished a crack was discovered in the welding of the top head of the drum causing a leak. Venting release. | The fire was extinguished. To stop the leak, the facility personnel steamed the drum for 2 hours and then filled the drum with water for 4 1/2 hours until the leak was isolated. During isolation, perimeter air monitoring was conducted and there were non-detect values. ExxonMobil Refinery originally reported a release of over a 1000 lbs of flammable vapor being released with this event; however, on April 12, 2012 they informed the LDEQ that a total of approximately 42 lbs of flammable vapor was released. During the incident, although the material was going off-site, ExxonMobil only monitored the air quality inside the facility. |
| 138531 2012-03-31 | Point Source(s): NIG Pollutant(s):Crude Oil - 23 gallons | Cause of Problem: No Information Given The facility made the report an employee noticed approximately 20 gallons of oil in an existing excavation hole inside the facility. | In the intial phone call at 11:02 AM on 3/31/2012 the employee stated that a vacuum truck was onsite vacuuming up the oil, while looking for the source of the leak. In a follow-up call at 11:11 PM on 3/31/2012 the employee stated that there was no off-site impact, and that excavation was located at Avenue F inside the facility. A letter of notification/unauthorized discharge report was submitted on 4/5/2012, stating that no reportable quantities were exceeded, and the quantity of spilled oil was raised from 20 gallons to 23.4 gallons spilled to soil. |
| 138524 2012-03-30 | Point Source(s): Cooling tower #32 Pollutant(s):Benzene - BRQ Ethylene - BRQ Xylene - BRQ Propylene - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure 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. | 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 | Point Source(s): Cooling Towers 20 and 21 Pollutant(s):Benzene - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure A leak in the exchanger released benzene from cooling towers 20 and 21. | 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. |
| 138106 2012-03-20 | Point Source(s): No information given Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 785 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given | There is no information given regarding the cause or the remedial actions of this release. LABB does not have access to the LEDQ report or the SPOC report. |
| 138086 2012-03-19 | Point Source(s): LELA-S compressor C-351 Safety Valve Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 157 pounds | Cause of Problem: Process Upset The LELA-S compressor C-351 tripped, venting flammable vapor to the atmosphere through a safety valve. | The situation was secured, and the gas vented. ExxonMobil initially reported releasing over a 1000 lbs of flammable vapor, but they report a release of 157 lbs of flammable vapor in the written report. |
| 137984 2012-03-16 | Point Source(s): Pipe band on PCLA unit Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 158 pounds Benzene - 0 pounds 1,3-Butadiene - 0 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing A pinhole leak was discovered on the top of a pipe band on the PCLA unit. | 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. |
| 1286550 2012-03-12 | Point Source(s): Furnaces, Incinerators Crude Tanks Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - 3,468 pounds Hydrogen Sulfide - 133 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given This is an update on a continuous release notification submitted by ExxonMobil on 1/18/2011. The 2011 report has the same incident number, and is filed in this database under 128655 (SERNO # 4813), without a following zero, to keep the two reports in their respective years. This report serves as written notification to comply with 40 CFR 302.8, which requires the owner or operator of facility to submit written follow up information for the verbal reporting of a continuous release(CRR). On October 10, 2010 Exxon Mobil Corporation's Baton Rouge Refinery made an initial notification to the NRC, the LA State Police Hazardous Materials Unit, the East Baton Rouge Parish Fire Department, and the LDEQ of the Refinery's continuous releases of hydrogen sulfide. Per continuous release reporting requirements, a one-time follow up report will be filed within thirty days of the anniversary of the source change. Thereafter, annual reassessments will be issued if there is a Statically Significant Increase or a change in the source of release. | On March 12, 2013, a first anniversary follow-up letter to initial notifications made in February 2012 of a change in sources of the continuous releases of hydrogen sulfide with updates on these sources and amount release. In addition to continuous release from furnaces and incinerators, ExxonMobil identified the potential for hydrogen sulfide to be present in selected crude and process oil streams. Exxon Mobil has submitted a permit renewal to the LDEQ to incorporate hydrogen sulfide emissions in crude tanks. For 2012-2013, estimates for the rate of release of hydrogen sulfide ranged from 5 lb/day to 14 lb/day from furnaces and incinerators. This corresponds to annual emissions of 1825 lbs for the lower bound and 5110 lbs for the upper bound. LABB researchers have averaged these two estimates for the release amount here. ExxonMobil's total estimate of hydrogen sulfide releases from crude tanks was 54 lb for the year, which is slightly below the lower bound rate of 0.15 lb/day. The lower bound for daily emissions is .15 lbs/day and the upper bound is .58 lb/s day. This corresponds to annual emissions of 54.75 lbs for the lower bound and 211.7 lbs for the upper bound. LABB researchers have averaged these two estimates for the release amount included here. |
| No LDEQ Number Available 2012-03-08 | Point Source(s): No information given Pollutant(s):MIBK(Methyl Isobutyl Ketone) - 2 gallons Methyl Ethyl Ketone - 2 gallons Waxy Feed - 6 gallons | Cause of Problem: No Information Given There is no information given regarding the cause of the release of MEK/MIBK and waxy feed. | There is no information regarding cause or remedial actions. LABB does not have access to the LDEQ report and this incident was not processed by SPOC. Approximately 4 gallons of MEK/MIBK solvent and 6 gallons of waxy feed were released. |
| 137769 2012-03-07 | Point Source(s): Cooling Tower #53 Pollutant(s):No Information Given - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure ExxonMobil Baton Rouge erroneously notified LA State Police and LDEQ regarding a potential release from cooling tower #53. After further testing of the cooling tower water, it was determined that the initial test results gave a false indication of a leak due to coincident addition of water treatment chemicals to the system. | The El Paso cooling tower sample method was used to verify a false indication of a leak in cooling tower #53. |
| 137655 2012-03-03 | Point Source(s): FLARE: Flares #19 and #17 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 30 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure The RGCU C-30 compressor shut down which resulted in flares #19 (2 minutes) and Flare #17 (1 minute) burning. | The scene was secured at time of notification or by 1335 on 3/6/12. |
| 142210 2012-02-24 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - 1 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Less than 1 lb of H2S was released as a result of this event. | The report was made later than 7 days after the incident and verbal notification occurred. |
| 137391 2012-02-22 | Point Source(s): Unspecified 3/4" line Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 209 pounds Benzene - 1 pounds 1,3-Butadiene - 0 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing A leak was discovered on a 3/4" line. No other information given. | 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. |
| 137359 2012-02-18 | Point Source(s): FLARE: Flare #7 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 18,333 pounds Hydrocarbon - 2,069 pounds Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 168 pounds Propylene - 156 pounds Hydrogen Sulfide - 148 pounds Nitric Oxide - 1,405 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 6,422 pounds Ethylene - 112 pounds Nitrogen Dioxide - 1,069 pounds Benzene - 10 pounds Butadiene - 10 pounds | Cause of Problem: Weather 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. | 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. |
| 137177 2012-02-14 | Point Source(s): Underground pipeline Pollutant(s):Gasoline - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing While completing routine rounds, an operator discovered oil on the ground. Upon investigation, the source of the leak was determine to be an unground line. A pinhole leak developed in the pipeline. | The pipeline was isolated, and soil remediation was completed. |
| 137212 2012-02-14 | Point Source(s): West Coker T-101 Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 3,753 pounds Hydrogen Sulfide - 202 pounds Benzene - 11 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure 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. | The PLC card was reset. |
| 137020 2012-02-05 | Point Source(s): Underground coker feed line Pollutant(s):Oil - 84 gallons Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons - 3 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing Oil was discovered seeping up from the ground due to a leak in an underground coker feed line. | 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. |
| 136936 2012-02-02 | Point Source(s): Flow meter lead line Pollutant(s):Flammable Vapor - 176 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing Operator discovered a pinhole leak on a flow meter lead line, which was releasing propane. | The line was isolated and depressured. In the initial report, it was estimated that more than 1000 pounds of propane were released. However, after further evaluation, ExxonMobil determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded. |
| 136880 2012-02-01 | Point Source(s): Flare #17 Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - 0 pounds Sulfur Dioxide - 23 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 1 pounds Nitrogen Dioxide - 0 pounds | Cause of Problem: Process Upset The Alkylation Unit lost a cooling tower pump (P-451B), which resulted in the D-301 safety valve lifting and venting to flare #17 for 8 minutes. | ExxonMobil later determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded. |
| 136643 2012-01-20 | Point Source(s): Cooling tower 35 Pollutant(s):Benzene - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure 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. | 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. |
| 136547 2012-01-16 | Point Source(s): FLARE: Flare #17 and #23 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 94 pounds Nitrogen Oxide - 7 pounds Nitrogen Dioxide - 1 pounds | Cause of Problem: Process Upset The Feed Prep unit experienced an upset which resulted in flaring of SO2 from flares #17 and #23. | No information given regarding remedial actions taken. Initial notification of a release of an estimated 500 lbs of sulfur dioxide. |
| 136413 2012-01-09 | Point Source(s): PHLA unit T-2 tower Pollutant(s):Hexane - 9 pounds Benzene - 7 pounds Flammable Vapor - 2,220 pounds | Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure Normal operating overhead pressure was exceeded on the PHLA unit T-2 tower due to a pressure controller valve malfunction. | 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. |
| 136303 2012-01-05 | Point Source(s): flange on ICN unit Pollutant(s):Hydrogen - 61 pounds Methane - 8 pounds Ethane - 1 pounds Propane - 1 pounds | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket A contractor detected a hydrogen smell on compressor C-830. A flange on the ICN unit leaked Hydrogen. The leak rate was 100lbs/hr. | Unit personnel tightened the flange and the leak was isolated. No RQs were exceeded. 60.7 pounds of hydrogen, 7.9 pounds of methane, 1.4 pounds of ethane, and less than a pound of propane was released. |
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