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Motiva Enterprises (2719), Convent

Releases in 2013

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source/Release CauseNotes
152757

2013-12-06
Point Source(s):
West Side Fuel Gas Drum

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: No Information Given

On December 6, 2013, a sulfur dioxide release due to elevated hydrogen sulfide in the West Side Fuel Gas Drum.		This incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 500-lb reportable quantity for sulfur dioxide. After further calculation, the total sulfur dioxide emissions from this incident were not above the reportable quantity.
No LDEQ Number Available

2013-11-24
Point Source(s):
None Reported
Pollutant(s):
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

On November 24, 2013, Motiva reported a small fire that occured at Motiva's Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit in the Main Fractionator Column. After the fire was put out, they discovered a leak on the Top Reflux draw line. They believe this leak caused the fire. Incident duration was approximately 4h.		After a safety plan was developed, the Top Reflux line was isolated. No injuries occurred. The incident was initially reported as potential Reportable Quantity exceedance. However, during the event, no release exceeding an RQ occurred.
152354

2013-11-13
Point Source(s):
discharge hose

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

On November 13, 2013, a release of brine (produced) water occurred at Motiva's Salt Dome Storage Facility in Sorrento, Louisiana. At the time of the release, brine water was being pumped from the South Pit to the North Pit when the discharge hose began spraying produced water onto the ground surface just outside of the brine pits. Initial verbal notification indicates that release was the result of a hose malfunction. The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 1 barrel reportable quantity for produced water. However, after further calculation, the total amount released during this incident was determined to be below the 1 barrel reportable quantity.		Upon discovery, operations personnel immediately shut down the pump which stopped the leak.
152286

2013-11-10
Point Source(s):
pipe flange

Pollutant(s):
Light Cycle Gas Oil - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

On November 10, 2013, a Light Cycle Gas Oil (LCGO) release which occurred at the facility from a pipe flange in Motiva's West Tank Farm. The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 1 barrel Reportable Quantity for oil. However, after further calculation, the total amount released during this incident was determined to be below the 1 barrel RQ.
152121

2013-11-01
Point Source(s):
HTU-1

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

On November 1, 2013, there was a release of hydrogen sulfide due to an equipment failure on HTU-1.		The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 100-lb Reportable Quantity for hydrogen sulfide. However, after further calculation, the total hydrogen sulfide emissions from this incident were not above the reportable quantity.
151708

2013-10-17
Point Source(s):
No Information Given

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

On October 17, 2013, there was a mixed butane leak at the Sorrento Off-Site Storage Caverns Facility. The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of a Reportable Quantity (RQ). After further calculation, the total emissions from this incident were not above the RQ.
151418

2013-10-06
Point Source(s):
H-Oil F-202 reactor

Pollutant(s):
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

There was a release of hydrogen sulfide on October 6, 2013 due to damaged tubing in the F-202 reactor in the H-Oil unit. Initially, a potential hydrogen sulfide release was reported in exceedance of the 100 pound reportable quantity, but after further evaluation, the total hydrogen sulfide emissions were below reportable quantity.
151385

2013-10-02
Point Source(s):
Outfall 001

Pollutant(s):
Wastewater - 126 gallons
Cause of Problem: Human Factors

A sump at the aeration basin overflowed into the gravel area between Clarifiers 1 and 2. The treated wastewater bypassed the clarifiers to the recycle pond. From there, the treated but unclarified wastewater was discharged via Outfall 001 into the Mississippi River.		Upon discovery of the release, Operations began reducing the flow to the aeration basins, shutdown flow from 37T-314, and slowed flow from 37T-316 and 37T-317. Additional training has been conducted with the Operation's personnel regarding the flow management of the system. Motiva is evaluating additional engineering measures to prevent future incidents of this type.
150872

2013-09-07
Point Source(s):
Catalytic Reforming Unit

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

A leak on a warm up line to a discharge check valve that released naptha, a gasoline component, directly onto the unit slab.		The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 10 pound reportable quantity for benzene. However, after further calculation, the total benzene emissions from this incident were not able reportable quantity.
150490

2013-08-19
Point Source(s):
pump 4G-559

Pollutant(s):
Benzene - 186 pounds
Carbon Monoxide - 7,515 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 2,586 pounds
Isobutane - 0 pounds
Butane - 0 pounds
Isopentane - 0 pounds
Pentane - 0 pounds
Hexane - 0 pounds
NOx - 111 pounds
Particulate Matter - 7,183 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 221 pounds
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

On August 19, 2013, a fire was experienced on pump 4G-559 due to a seal failure. HTU-1's recycle compressor tripped on high K.O. drum level. A decision was made to slowdown, stabilize, and shutdown. Part of the activities to slowdown included putting the CRU unit on hydrogen circulation; therefore, operations shutdown the CRU charge pumps, 4G-501/559. Shortly after the pumps were stopped, 4G-559 failed, and a seal fire occurred. After thorough investigation, the cause of the seal fire was determined to be the failure of a check valve on the discharge of 4G-559. When the charge pumps were stopped, the downstream hydrogen pushed the naptha in the line backwards through the discharge line. the check valve in the discharge line did not operate as designed and the naptha and hydrogen entered 4G-559 causing it to spin in reverse. This caused friction, heat, and vibration significant enough for the pump to seize. Under these conditions, a seal fire is expected.		The units were brought down in order to stabilize the situation. The materials involved in the fire were largely combusted, as were the materials routed to the flare; they were then dispersed naturally into the air. All residual unburned materials from the pump seal fire were captured by the unit secondary containment system and recycled back into the refinery's recovered oil system. A second check valve has been installed on the discharge line to provide an additional factor of safety against the potential failure of a single check valve.
No LDEQ Number Available

2013-08-17
Point Source(s):
Dock No. 2

Pollutant(s):
Diesel Fuel - 15 gallons
Cause of Problem: Human Factors

While in the process of loading diesel at Dock No. 2, approximately 15 gallons of product spilled to the secondary containment on the dock with approximately 2 gallons being released to the river from the secondary containment. The cause of the spill was the result of unintentionally leaving Dock Arm #3 drain valve open during the initial stages of the transfer. The dock arm inboard drain valve was lined up to the dock slop oil tank rather than being in the closed position per the loading procedure.		Diesel spilled on the dock was pumped back into the slop system. The diesel that fell to the grating below the dock was cleaned with absorbent pads and disposed of as oily contaminated industrial solid waste. Any diesel that reached the river was dispersed and naturally attenuated. To prevent recurrence of the incident, the penetration through the decking which allowed the diesel to reach the river will be sealed. Motiva is also evaluating a better way to manage the drain valve position and ensure the slop system operates as designed. A coaching session has been held with the dock operator and the importance of following procedures has been emphasized.
149914

2013-07-24
Point Source(s):
lab sump

Pollutant(s):
Oil - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

On July 24, Motiva reported a spill which occurred at the facility. The cause of the event that released oil and water from the lab sump to the soil and on-site ditch is still being investigated at this time.		No remedial actions given. The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 1 barrel RQ for oil to land. After further calculation, the total oil spilled to land was below RQ.
149560

2013-07-10
Point Source(s):
wastewater sewer trench

Pollutant(s):
Benzene - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

On July 10, a release was reported at the Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit. The event was caused by a partially opened pump bleeder valve that released Heavy Straight Run (HSR), a gasoline component, directly into a process wastewater sewer drain. The drain overflowed and HSR pooled in an open sewer trench and was subject to evaporation losses to the air.		No remedial actions given. Incident initially reported as potential exceedance of 10 pound RQ for benzene. After further calculation, the total benzene emissions were not above RQ.
148806

2013-05-18
Point Source(s):
Flare #3

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 28,884 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide - 50 pounds
Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

On the morning of May 18, the H-Oil Unit was operating normally when emergency pressure control valve 70HV234 inadvertently opened. Operations immediately reduced charge to the unit and closed the emergency pressure control valve in an attempt to re-engage operation, which was unsuccessful. In order to prevent an unsafe condition from the elevated temperatures and levels in equipment, operations stabilized the unit by flaring and removing charge from the unit to start a controlled shutdown.		Operations immediately reduced charge to the unit and closed the emergency pressure control valve in an attempt to re-engage operation, which was unsuccessful. In order to prevent an unsafe condition from the elevated temperatures and levels in equipment, operations stabilized the unit by flaring and removing charge from the unit to start a controlled shutdown. After investigation, it was concluded that the restriction orifice in the valve positioner relay plugged causing air pressure from the valve positioner to the actuator to drop below the pressure threshold required to hold the valve closed. The replacement of a control valve positioner, filter, and air regulator will eliminate the recurrence of an identical event in the short term. The replacement of this equipment will be conducted during the 2013 H-Oil reactor entry shutdown which is currently underway. Motiva will complete the proposed replacements prior to completion of the 2013 H-Oil reactor entry shutdown. To reduce the likelihood of a similar event from occurring in the future, Motiva will inspect these components during subsequent H-Oil reactor entry turnarounds for evidence of plugging and replace equipment as necessary. The total amount of hydrogen sulfide does not exceed the RQ of 100 pounds, but the maximum lb/hr emissions limit was exceeded for the hours between 8 AM and 11 AM. The permitted rates and amount released above authorized emissions were listed, but not the exact total amounts emitted.
148737

2013-05-16
Point Source(s):
Flare system, fluidized catalytic cracking unit wet gas scrubber stack, and process heaters

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

On May 16 at approximately 7:20 AM, a bird struck the Alkylation Unit's electric power feeder and caused a power trip shutdown to the Alky/Pressure area as well as a power dip on the West Side of the refinery. The event resulted in flaring and also initiated steam load shedding, which resulted in a heater trip on Vacuum Pipe Still No. 1. Caustic charge to the FCCU WGS was momentarily lost due to the power dip, which may have resulted in permitted emissions limitation exceedances.		Immediate action to correct upset condition and all reasonable steps to limit excess emissions taken. Process upset resulted in flaring. No other specific remedial actions given. Motiva initially reported a potential sulfur dioxide exceedance, but after further calculations the total sulfur dioxide emissions were BRQ.
148316

2013-04-24
Point Source(s):
junction box

Pollutant(s):
Oil - 1,134 gallons
Cause of Problem: Human Factors

After a heavy rainstorm, approximately 24 barrels of oil from the process sewer was reported in the clean stormwater ditch along the north side of Avenue B, and approximately 3 barrels of oil to the ground from a nearby sewer hub southwest of Tank 20D-36. It was discovered that the block valves on the sewer junction box south of Avenue C East and Alabama Street were inadvertently left open. This junction box controls drainage from the tank farm and can be lined up to to go either the process sewer system or clean stormwater. The primary lineup is to have all valves closed except after rainfall events. It appears the clean stormwater block valve was left open from a previous rain event. The process sewer system swelled and filled the junction box, which then flowed into the storm ditch via the clean water side of the sewer box that had been left open.		The oil was contained onsite, recovered using vacuum trucks and reprocessed in the refinery's recovered oil system. Once the source of the release was identified, the block valve lineup to stormwater was immediately closed thus stopping the release. Containment boom and absorbent boom was placed at multiple locations to contain the oil that had reached the stormwater ditch. Microbe-enhanced bagasse placed after ground cleanup. To prevent recurrence: the operator accountable for the improper line-up has been coached; the Logistics Production Supervisor has reviewed this incident with the Production Team Leaders and is currently reviewing with each shift; the production supervisor has taken feedback from the shifts on how to improve verification of proper line-ups in the field; Motiva is executing a project to improve line-up visualization; and the Logistics Production Team Leads will ensure drainage junction box line-up status is accurately documented in the department end of shift reports. Most of the oil floated on the water surface in the storm ditch. Residual of oil staining remaining on the vegetation and ground surface was chopped/scraped until oil was no longer visible. Oil in contact with the ground was confined to the surface with no impact below a few inches. All oil-stained soils, PPE, and other contaminated materials were properly containerized for disposal.
148118

2013-04-16
Point Source(s):
TGTU-3

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

On April 16, 2013, Motiva Enterprises, LLC Convent Refinery (Motiva) reported a potential Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) release which occurred at the facility due to an operational upset on Motiva's Tail Gas Treating Unit 3 (TGTU-3). The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 500-lb reportable quantity (RQ) for SO2. However, the toal SO2 emissions from this incident were not above the RQ.
147500

2013-03-22
Point Source(s):
TGTU-1 and TGTU-4

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: No Information Given

Sulfur dioxide was released from the Tail Gas Treatment Units No. 1 and No. 4 (TGTU-1 and TGTU-4). No reportable quantities were exceeded. No additional information was provided regarding the cause of problem or remedial actions taken.
147317

2013-03-14
Point Source(s):
H-Oil Unit

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

Reactor effluent released to air due to unknown causes. An upset on the H-Oil unit resulted in H2S being released. On March 14, 2013, Motiva Enterprises, LLC Convent Refinery (Motiva) reported a potential Hydrogen Sulfide release which occurred at the facility due to an operational upset on Motiva's H-Oil Unit. The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 100-pound reportable quantity for H2S. After further calculation, the total H2S emissions from this incident were not above the RQ.
147188

2013-03-07
Point Source(s):
Tail Gas Treater Unit

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

On March 7, 2013, Motiva Enterprises, LLC Convent Refinery (Motiva) reported a potential sulfur dioxide release which occurred at the facility due to an operational upset on Motiva's Tail Gas Treatment Unit No.5 (TGTU-5). The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 500 pound reportable quantity for sulfur dioxide. However, after further calculation, the total sulfur dioixde emissions from this incident were not above the RQ. A LADEQ report records that the sulfur dioxide released from the tail gas treater unit was due to an operational upset.
146649

2013-02-13
Point Source(s):
FCCU WGS

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ
Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ
Carbon Monoxide - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

Due to a rupture on a seal SO2 was released to air. The incident began at Motiva's Convent Refinery on February 13, 2013 at approximately 23:00, when the FCCU's Electric Quench Turbine experienced a trip. The FCCU experienced an upset which resulted in increased carbon monoxide emissions from the Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit Wet Gas Scrubber Stack (FCCU WGS.) The excess emissions ceased when the FCCU stabilized.		Pressure controller that opened and caused flaring closed at 00:25...Flaring continues, stable... No high H2S releasing to flare at this time... The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 500-lb Reportable Quantity (RQ) for sulfur dioxide (SO2). However, after further calculation, the total SO2 emissions from this incident were not above the RQ.
146167

2013-01-22
Point Source(s):
FCCU unit

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

On January 22, 2013, Motiva Convent Refinery Reported a potential sulfur dioxide (SO2) release which occured at the facility due to operational upset on the FCCU unit.		Initially reported sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide released to air during the upset. The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 500-lb Reportable Quaantity (RQ) for sulfur dioxide (SO2). However, after further calculation, the total SO2 emissions from this incident were not above the RQ.
146107

2013-01-18
Point Source(s):
H-oil unit

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

Operational upset on the H-Oil unit.		The incident was initially reported as a potential exceedance of the 500-lb Reportable Quantity (RQ) for sulfur dioxide (SO2). However, after further calculation, the total SO2 emissions from this incident were not above the RQ.
146055

2013-01-14
Point Source(s):
outfall 001

Pollutant(s):
Process Wastewater - 0
Cause of Problem: Weather

Upset conditions which led to a Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) bypass as a result of extraordinary amounts of rainfall brought by slow moving thunderstorms that caused flash flooding over several days. The facility was being operated properly prior to conditions brought on by the severe weather event but the excessive amounts of rainfall over an extended number of days consumed the refinery's wastewater treatment system as well as all of it's surge capacity to a point at which there was a significant threat to the facility's infrastructure and safety of its employees operating energized equipment.		The event was not considered an emergency condition. Process wastewater mixed heavily with rain water was discharge from Outfall 001 at an average rate of 650 gpm. Discharging began on 1/14/2013 at 2:35 pm and was intermittent until 1/17/2013 at 1:10 pm, at whihc time it was determined that the wastewater treatment system was no longer threatened and Motiva could process the remainder of the water consuming the capacity of the surge tanks and surge ponds. To minimize or eliminate threats, Motiva began discharging process wastewater mixed heavily with rain water from Outfall 001. This bypass was unavoidable as a result of the upset condition. Concurrently with the excessive stormwater runoff, there was an incident that caused a slightly higher pH in the wastewater treatment system. Two incidents where the pH exceeded 9.0 standard unites for greater than 60 minutes consecutively. Motiva immediately began implementation of measures to adjust the pH to within the permitted limits and began an investigation into the cause. The root cause is unknown and still under investigation. They claim that this process wastewater did not have a significant impact on the water quality of the Mississippi River and no exceedances of Motiva's LPDES Permi are anticipated
145946

2013-01-11
Point Source(s):
Outfall 001

Pollutant(s):
Wastewater - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Weather

Treated but unclarified wastewater was discharged from Outfall 001 at a rate of approximately 800 gpm. Discharging began at 7:50 pm on January 11, 2013 and ended at 4:00 am on January 12, 2013. An upset occurred at the facility due to extraordinary amounts of rainfall brought on by severe slow moving thunderstorms that caused flash flooding. The facility was being operated properly prior to conditions brought on by the severe weather event. Overwhelmed by the excessive amounts of rainfall, treated water overflowed a basin immediately prior to the system's clarifier, which is the final polishing section of the wastewater treatment system, resulting in a bypass of a de minimus amount of treated but unclarified wastewater. Accordingly, this bypass was unavoidable.		The discharge was made to the Mississippi River. As discharged material was treated but unclarified wastewater, it is not expected to have any impact to the water quality of the Mississippi River and no permit limit exceedances are anticipated. The event constituted an overflow of a de minimus amount of treated but unclarified wastewater. As operated prior to the initiation of the event, equipment was continued to be monitored and managed to not cause additional bypasses. The event was resolved as flash flooding diminished. The first written notification found was the final report; LABB was unable to find the online notification Motiva submitted on January 12, 2013.