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Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville

Releases in 2010

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date
Point Source/Release CauseNotes
128080

2010-12-09
Point Source(s):
FCC Unit 205

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 208 pounds
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds - 1 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 3 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 1 pounds
Nitric Oxide - 4 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 3 pounds
Particulate Matter 10 - 0 pounds
Cause of Problem: Power Failure

Due to an unexpected loss of power to the control system of the Unit 25 FCCU. FCCU shut down as designed which resulted in less gas feed to the Unit 205 Coker. This decreased in feed caused the Coker Wet Gas Compressor Suction Drum to briefly exceed the maximum safe operating pressure of the drum which resulted in the Coker Wet Gas relieving tot he ground flare. There was no known offsite impacts resulting from this incident. The emissions from the FCCU shut down are permitted as part of the overall North Flare. Compressor spillback opened rapidly to compensate and a high pressure was reached on the suction drum. Pressure control valve opened to flare once pressure reached 21 psig.
The FCCU was safely shut down and all other related unit feed rates were adjusted per the FCCU shutdown plan. The Coker Unit Wet Gas Compressor control system compensated for the increased suction pressure by increasing the compressor speed. All aspects of this incident are currently under investigation.
127916

2010-11-29
Point Source(s):
FLARE: Unit 59 South Flare

Pollutant(s):
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 86 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 8 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 753 pounds
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

Refinery letter states that an unexpected change in the feed composition caused an over-pressurization of the high pressure stripper column. This resulted in the opening of the process safety valve to relieve pressure within the column. FLARE.
RQ. Reportable quantities for sulfur dioxide were exceeded. Changes were made in Unit 15 to compensate for the increase in pressure in the high pressure column.
127727

2010-11-18
Point Source(s):
FLARE - Unit 59 North Flare [EQT0162, EIQ83-74]; Unit 05

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 3,500 pounds
Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

"Due to instrumentation malfunction, the inlet valve on the Unit 05 Coker Wet Gas Compressor Suction Drum closed. The compressor shut down and the material was routed to the North Flare. FLARE.
RQ. The reportable quantity for sulfur dioxide was exceeded during this incident. Detailed emissions report included. Inlet valve on Unit 50 was opened, the compressor was restarted, and material was routed to the compressor. No additional information given.
127437

2010-11-02
Point Source(s):
TANK - Tank 237-1905

Pollutant(s):
Sodium Hydrochlorite - 4,965 pounds
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

The three inch chemical hose that connects two tanks had torn away from the valve at the east tank.
RQ. Refinery letter states that the reportable quantity for sodium hypochlorite was exceeded. The tank valves were closed to stop the leak and storm covers were used to stop the leak to the Storm Water Sewer at the northeast corner of the cooling towers. A precautionary sewer cover was put on a drain about 30 feet away to the west. A vacuum was used to remove bleach from the containment dike and surrounding area, and the outfall ditch (012) valves west of Warehouse M at Marathon Ave were closed; roads around the cooling tower were barricaded.
126299

2010-09-11
Point Source(s):
FLARE - North [EQT282] & South Ground Flare [EQT160]

Pollutant(s):
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 44 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 337 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide - 58 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 0 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 316 pounds
Cause of Problem: Power Failure

"Due to a power failure, the Shell off-gas compressors shutdown causing Marathon to have an over abundance of fuel gas which required flaring as a safety precaution." FLARE.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded; detailed emissions report included. No LDEQ report. Refinery follow-up report only; follow-up letter states that original written report was submitted to LDEQ on 9/17/2010, but this is not included in the file.
125901

2010-08-22
Point Source(s):
North Ground Flare

Pollutant(s):
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 532 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 3,855 pounds
Methane/Ethane Mixture - 1,880 pounds
Sulfur Oxides - 46,227 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 501 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Incident was the result of an electrical problem for the new production unit. A triplicated Triconex level indicator on the 1st stage suction drum malfunctioned, filled with liquid and tripped the wet gas compressor. Drum over-pressured which caused 205-PC-1511-V1 and V2 to open to the North Ground Flare. Released to air.
Reportable quantities for sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and HRVOCs were exceeded. Remedial actions: The unit 205-delated coker reduced charge rate to minimize the release.
125726

2010-08-18
Point Source(s):
Unit 212

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen - 0
Cause of Problem: No Information Given

LDEQ Report states that a hydrogen leak occurred at Unit 212.
No Information Given. LDEQ Report included. No Refinery Letter.
125243

2010-07-29
Point Source(s):
Unit 212 - Reactor #2

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen - 0
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

Flange leak located on Unit 212 released hydrogen. The hydrogen self-ignited, since the Unit runs at a temperature above the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen. Scaffolding caught on fire. Louisiana State Police Hazmat and LDEQ responded to the incident. FIRE.
LDEQ report states that "the unit was swept with nitrogen to purge unit of hydrocarbons and air monitoring was performed." No injuries, fatalities, or road closures resulted from this incident. LDEQ and State Police reports only. No refinery letter.
125145

2010-07-25
Point Source(s):
Unit 212 - Reactor #2

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

Flange leak on Unit 212, Reactor #2. Leaking hydrogen ignited and start a small fire that lasted for approximately 5 minutes. FIRE.
BRQ. No reportable quantities were exceeded during this incident. "Steam was increased around the leaking flange. This snuffed out the flame and cooled the flange sufficiently to stop the leak."
124866

2010-07-15
Point Source(s):
No Information Given

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

State Police report states that there was a leak on a pressure gauge; fire occurred and was put out by the time of call to Hazmat hotline. No additional information given. FIRE.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded. Line was blocked in and gauge was tightened, stopping the leak.
123579

2010-05-18
Point Source(s):
FLARE: Unit 59 North (EQT #0162 EIQ #83-74) & South Flares (EQT #0160 EIQ #69-74)

Pollutant(s):
Nitrogen Oxide - 135 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 413 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Refinery letter states that liquid material from the refinery's FCCU carried over into the fuel gas system, causing incomplete combustion in the refinery's process heater and flares.
The source of the liquid stream was identified and isolated from the fuel gas system. The remaining liquid was drained from the process units' knockout drums. The process heaters were then restarted. Steps to prevent a recurrence of the incident will be taken once the root cause analysis is completed. NOTES: Nitrogen Oxides were released.
123361

2010-05-11
Point Source(s):
No Information Given

Pollutant(s):
No Information Given - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Boiler blew out, released large quantity of steam. No further details given.
BRQ. LDEQ reports states that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event. No additional information given. LDEQ report only. No refinery letter.
123330

2010-05-07
Point Source(s):
Truck loading rack [EIQ #1497]

Pollutant(s):
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 14 pounds
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 9 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Relief valve on transport truck opened at a pressure below what was supposed to open it during offloading.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that reportable quantities were not exceeded, but detailed emissions report included. "The truck was offloaded to process to relieve [sic] the pressure and stop the event."
122763

2010-04-13
Point Source(s):
no information given

Pollutant(s):
Carbon Monoxide - 500 pounds
Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

"Had to depressurize the unit from a previous problem...The FCCU had to reduce rates in sympathy with the Alkylation Unit shutdown. While reducing charge rate, an adequate carbon balance was not maintained, causing elevated CO in the flue gas." Did not exceed 24-hr time period RQ's but did exceed one-hr RQ's for two consecutive hrs.
BRQ. LDEQ report states that "no reportable quantities were exceeded during this incident." Refinery letter states that "once the problem was recognized, oxygen injection rates were adjusted to improve feed rate and quality."
122736

2010-04-13
Point Source(s):
Main Fractionator relief valve inlet

Pollutant(s):
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 55 pounds
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

"A small pinhole leak was noticed on the Main Fractionator relief valve inlet piping between the tower and a block valve in the HF Alkylation Unit."
BRQ. Refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded, but detailed emissions report included. The installation of a temporary clamp was attempted, but when the leak could not be secured, the unit was shut down to repair the leak [welded]."
122518

2010-04-01
Point Source(s):
No Information Given

Pollutant(s):
Petroleum Gas - 0
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

"Pinhole leak on pipeline inside facility...liquified petroleum gas..." No further details.
No information given. LDEQ report only. No refinery letter.
121955

2010-03-08
Point Source(s):
FLARE - South Ground Flare [EIQ 20B-08]
South Ground Flare

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen - 165 pounds
Methane/Ethane Mixture - 36 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide - 149 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 809 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

FLARE. Heat exchanger leak & fire required shutdown of Hydrocracking Unit, had to flare.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded and that "no specific remedial action is required in this case." Detailed emissions report included.
121972

2010-03-06
Point Source(s):
FLARE - North Ground Flare

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 1,101 pounds
Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

Instrument malfunction in the Hydrocracking Unit caused liquid material to be routed to the GME Crude Unit overhead gas system, compressor shut down, routed to flare until liquid was drained. FLARE.
RQ. Exceeded reportable quantities during this incident; detailed emissions report included. Technicians troubleshooting malfunction.
121911

2010-03-04
Point Source(s):
FLARE - South Ground Flare

Pollutant(s):
No Information Given - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

Shutdown of Hydrocracker, Unit 215. New unit with unknown problems causing it to smoke. "Shut down as a result of a high temperature alarm" but "it is believed that the alarm gave inaccurate readings." "Pollutants emitted during the event are accounted for in the facility Air Quality permit." No info given regarding what exactly was released.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded.Air monitoring team dispatched to ensure no offsite impacts.
121884

2010-03-03
Point Source(s):
Gas pipe in Unit 43 Fuel Gas System

Pollutant(s):
Compressed Flammable Gas - BRQ
Methane - 115 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 51 pounds
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 17 pounds
Ethane - 14 pounds
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

Condensate gas was leaking through a pin hole in a piping nipple in the Unit 43 Fuel Gas System. Gas was released to air.
BRQ. Report states the line was isolated and the line depressurized so that leak could be repaired. This spill did not reach a reportable quantity. A clamp was installed around the pipe nipple to prevent future release at the site. Original report identifies release as compressed flammable gas. Later reports break down release into - HRVOCs, VOCs, Ethane, Methane, and H2.
121796

2010-02-27
Point Source(s):
No Information Given

Pollutant(s):
Naphtha - BRQ
Crude Oil - 10 gallons
Water - 90 gallons
Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

COLD WEATHER. Broken line, possibly due to recent freeze but still under investigation, no info given as to where line is located.
BRQ. LDEQ reports states that based on analytical results, no reportable quantities were exceeded. Took sample of spilled material for analysis. No info given as to actual time duration of leak, only discovery time and time secured. LDEQ and State Police reports only. No refinery letter required - courtesy notification.
121645

2010-02-22
Point Source(s):
FLARE: coke drum overhead line; 205-PC-1511-V2; north flare

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 2,548 pounds
Nitric Oxide - 15 pounds
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 22 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 32 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 7 pounds
Ethane - BRQ
Methane - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

Water from the offline coke drum overhead line was inadvertently sent to the Main Fractionator, vaporized and overpressured the wet gas compressor suction drum causing 205-PC-1511-V2 to open to the North Ground Flare. Released into air. FLARE.
RQ. 2548 lbs of Sulfur Dioxide, 15 lbs of Nitrogen Oxides, 6.8 lbs of Hydrogen Sulfide, 21.5 lbs of Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs), and 31.7 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). LDEQ report states that "this incident is an area of concern with regards to LAC 33:III.905." Remedial Actions: Cut charge on 205 Coker due to Fractionator pressuring problem and removed ROSE Pitch from unit. Put ROSE unit on internal circulation. Relieved to flare.
121405

2010-02-09
Point Source(s):
Unit 32 Stripper - Bleeder valve

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - 24 pounds
Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

Unit 5 coker sent a hydrogen sulfide emission to unit 33 sour water tank due to 3/4" bleeder valve being left open during the steaming out of Unit 32 Stripper.
BRQ. Refiney letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded. Hot zone set up around the unit to prevent exposure to workers; report states "no known offsite impacts associated with the incident."
121376

2010-02-08
Point Source(s):
No Information Given

Pollutant(s):
No Information Given - 0
Cause of Problem: Other - See text

LDEQ report states that a truck coming into the plant caught fire. FIRE.
No Information Given. LDEQ Report only. No Refinery Letter.
121187

2010-02-01
Point Source(s):
FLARE - North & South Ground Flares; Thermal Oxidizers #1, #2, #3; GME Thermal Oxidizer #1, #2
FLARE - North & South Ground Flares; Thermal Oxidizers #1, #2, #3; GME Thermal Oxidizer #1, #217m

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 5,201 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 291 pounds
Nitric Oxide - 154 pounds
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

A transformer breaker tripped causing multiple operating units to shut down, including sulfur plants. FLARE.
RQ. Reportable Quantities were exceeded for sulfur dioxide during this incident. Detailed emissions report included. Refinery's Air Monitoring Team dispatched. "The breaker was reset and the units were quickly brought back on line." LDEQ report date is 2/18/2011.
121186

2010-01-31
Point Source(s):
FLARE - North & South Ground Flares; Thermal Oxidizers #1, #2, #3; GME Thermal Oxidizer #1, #2
FLARE - North & South Ground Flares; Thermal Oxidizers #1, #2, #3; GME Thermal Oxidizer #1, #217m

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 471 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide - 22 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 8 pounds
Cause of Problem: Power Failure

Brief power outage caused multiple operating units to briefly shut down including sulfur plants. FLARE.
BRQ. No reportable quantities were exceeded. Units brought back online quickly, and had to flare.
121169

2010-01-30
Point Source(s):
Unit 34 Sulfur Recovery Unit (EQT FUG037)

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen - 0 pounds
Carbon Dioxide - 301 pounds
Nitrogen - 69 pounds
Oxygen - 10 pounds
Methane - 1 pounds
Ethylene - 1 pounds
Ethane - 2 pounds
Propane - 11 pounds
Propylene - 1 pounds
Isobutane - 7 pounds
n-Butane - 27 pounds
1-Butene - 0 pounds
Isobutane - 0 pounds
Butene - 0 pounds
Butene - 0 pounds
Pentane - 12 pounds
n-Pentane - 15 pounds
Pentene - 9 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 829 pounds
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

"While switching unit 34 tailgas from the Unity 34 Thermal Oxidizer to the Unit 20 Thermal Oxidizer, Unit 34 pressured up causing acid gas to back out of the low range air blower vent valve in Unity 34." Reportable quantity for Hydrogen Sulfide exceeded.
RQ. Reportable quantities were exceeded during this incident; detailed emissions report included. Refinery report states that "tailgas [was] switched back to the Unit 34 Thermal Oxidizer which corrected the problem immediately."
121170

2010-01-30
Point Source(s):
Tank - gas oil pump

Pollutant(s):
Heavy Gas Oil - 2,100 gallons
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Suction bellows of a Gas Oil Pump leaked out of pipe coming from pump leading to storage tank, valve on pump failed, heavy gas oil spilled in nearby ditch.
RQ. Exceeded reportable quantities for oil on the ground. Heavy gas oil line depressurized to stop leak, area boomed off, vacuum trucks brought in to remove product from the ground, outside spill response company brought in to complete clean-up. Release lasted 15m after discovery.
121073

2010-01-26
Point Source(s):
FLARE - North Ground Flare [EQT 0282]

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 232 pounds
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

Unit 210 Crude Offgas Compressor Suction Drum over pressured due to excessive crude offgas from the Sats Gas Plant.
BRQ. No reportable quantities exceeded, but detailed emissions report included. Offgas flow from the Sats Gas Plant reduced, spillback to the Crude Suction Drum closed.
121042

2010-01-25
Point Source(s):
FLARE - South Flare

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 242 pounds
Cause of Problem: Process Upset

Crude Unit had liquid carryover into compressor suction drum, causing compressors to trip and increase the drum's pressure, opening the relief valve to the South Flare.
BRQ. No reportable quantities were exceeded, but detailed emissions report included. Flow to compressors stopped, level in the drum pumped down; restarted and flow resumed asap.
120830

2010-01-19
Point Source(s):
No Information Given

Pollutant(s):
Unknown Substance - BRQ
Cause of Problem: No Information Given

Marathon employee noticed gasoline-like odor coming from a parking lot--unclear whether it was from the refinery or a vehicle.
BRQ. No reportable quantities exceeded. Air monitoring team dispatched, no readings above 1ppm VOC detected.
120846

2010-01-16
Point Source(s):
FLARE - Refrigerated Butane Storage Emergency Flare Station

Pollutant(s):
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 1 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 24 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide - 49 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 41 pounds
Particulate Matter 10 - 4 pounds
Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

Refrigerated Butane Storage unit malfunctioned during maintenance activities, had to flare to release pressure. One part of report notes a power outage, unclear if this was purposeful as part of maintenance or not. FLARE.
BRQ. No reportable quantities were exceeded, but detailed emissions report included. Maintenance work began; incident is still "under investigation," but no follow-up report included.
120841

2010-01-16
Point Source(s):
hydrocracker unit 215
hydrocracker unti 215

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

Leaking flange on new hydrocracker unit discovered at initial startup. "Authorized discharge" under existing permits.
BRQ. Refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded. Repair work begun immediately, air monitoring team dispatched to monitor area and fenceline, but found no detectable emissions.
120620

2010-01-15
Point Source(s):
South Ground Flare (EQT 0284)

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 2,413 pounds
Hydrogen - 1 pounds
Methane - 3 pounds
Ethane - 6 pounds
Propane - 13 pounds
Isobutane - 6 pounds
n-Butane - 12 pounds
Pentane - 0 pounds
n-Pentane - 0 pounds
Pentene - 8 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 6 pounds
Water - 1 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

New Naphtha Hydrotreating Unit relief valve failed--opened intermittently at lower pressures than it was supposed to and sent stream to flare. Discovered problem thanks to citizen complaint re: the smell. Reportable quantity for SO2 exceeded. Duration given below is an estimate; emissions were intermittent from 1758 hrs to 2215 hrs.
RQ. Faulty valve taken out of service & sent for repairs. RQ. Detailed release calculations attached to refinery letter.
120712

2010-01-11
Point Source(s):
FLARE

Pollutant(s):
No Information Given - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

Release from a ground flare, several people in community calling in smell complaints.
BRQ. Stated that "no reportable quantities were exceeded" [BRQ].
120638

2010-01-09
Point Source(s):
FLARE: south flare

Pollutant(s):
Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) - 3 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 139 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide - 489 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 32 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 411 pounds
Particulate Matter 10 - 37 pounds
Cause of Problem: Weather

COLD WEATHER. "Freeze-related issue": eocene interstage drum filled with liquid due to a frozen drain line, tripped compressors, relief valve on the crude vacuum overhead opened to flare. Emissions table in report dark and hard to read.
Air monitoring team dispatched, crude vacuum gas to flare closed off and re-routed, bypass valve opened but did not drop level in time, steam hose hooked up to the controller to clear line. Refinery Letter states that reportable quantities were not exceeded [BRQ]. Detailed emissions report included.